About
The Rural Futures Fellowship is an immersive 18 month practical training programme during which 20 young people are introduced to the philosophy, practice and science of rewilding, regenerative agriculture and community-led conservation practices.
Why a Fellowship?
Young Leaders
Training youth to lead programmes equipping them with the skills, knowledge and mindset to become effective leaders and change-makers to combat climate change & ecological degradation
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Focusing on encouraging young people to build their own organizations and start their own businesses tapping into and leveraging the global movement towards sustainable supply chains and investments in nature-based solutions
Rewilding Local Economies
Revitalizing local economies through youth networks, leading agroforestry and rewilding programmes
Transformational Impact
1280 hectares of restored forest, 1.3 million trees, agroforestry in 1300 households directly impacting 6500 people with each cohort of 20 fellows.
Outreach & Inclusivity
Indigenous & rural youth – the Fellowship will primarily target young people (21 – 35) from indigenous & rural communities in the Eastern Himalayan region, including indigenous youth diaspora and aspiring environmental leaders in urban centres
Women & gender-diverse people – an equal weightage for women and gender-diverse aspirants who apply to the fellowship
Lower socioeconomic status – young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in both urban and rural communities are prioritized
Scaling for Action
Through the Fellowship, the Balipara Foundation aims to build a network of young people with the skills and the capacities to expand rewilding in the region at the exponential scale needed to reverse systemic ecological degradation in the Eastern Himalayas
Rewilding Grant
At the end of the fellowship, Fellows are invited to pitch for 12 Rewilding grants, to restore 100 hectares of land. Successful pitches will use the grant to work on 90 hectares of forest restoration and 10 hectares of agroforestry, with extensive support and continued mentorship from the Balipara Foundation team as they embark on their journey as rewilding entrepreneurs.