In a process to escalate the potential of youth to drive innovation, creativity, and democratic engagement, the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), has launched the third cohort of Youth Governance Fellowship Mysore 2024. This initiative aims to empower young people to become active participants in governance, addressing the critical need for increased youth engagement in India’s democratic processes.
The fellowship program, Mysore, will involve 25 enthusiastic youths from various educational institutions across the city. These fellows will undergo comprehensive capacity-building training that includes governance, community participation, and field research. In addition to theoretical training, the fellows will have the opportunity to visit key governance institutions such as the Vidhana Soudha, Mysore City Corporation, and Gram Panchayat centers.
This initiative is particularly timely and essential, given the alarming statistics regarding youth engagement in governance in India, and specifically in Karnataka. Despite Karnataka being ranked 8th in the Youth Development and Civic Participation Index, the state’s Youth Participation Index in Governance and Political Engagement remains critically low, with scores of 0.2 and 0.3, respectively. The Youth Governance Fellowship aims to address this gap by equipping young people with the skills, knowledge, and motivation needed to actively engage in governance.
The Youth for Governance Fellowship Mysuru 2024 was inaugurated on July 5th at 10:00 AM. The inaugural ceremony was graced by the Honorable Commissioner of the Mysore City Corporation, Shri Ashad-Ur-Rahman-Sheriff (KMAS), and the Director of the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Smt. K Lakshmi Priya, IAS. The event was chaired by Dr. Basavaraju R. Shreshta, Executive Director of GRAAM, and attended by various heads of academic institutions from Mysore, the cohort of 27 Youth for Governance fellows, and alumni of the program.
The dignitaries addressed the youth of Mysore, emphasizing the importance of decentralized governance and the pivotal role that young people can play in shaping the future of democratic governance in India. Through this fellowship, GRAAM and HSF aim to create a batch of informed and motivated young leaders who can contribute to governance and community development. By empowering the youth of Mysore, the program seeks to inspire a broader movement of youth engagement in governance across India, ultimately strengthening the country’s democratic fabric.
Project Brief Description:
The Youth for Governance (Y4G) Fellowship Mysuru 2024, a collaboration between GRAAM, Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) India, empowers Mysuru’s youth to actively participate in governance. This nine-month program combines workshops, exposure visits, and mentorship to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge for effective democratic engagement. By engaging in group research projects, fellows gain insights into local issues and governance structures, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to their community. Culminating in presentations to city officials and community leaders, the fellowship facilitates direct influence on local decision-making. Building on the success of its earlier cohorts, including enriching experiences like visits to the Karnataka State Legislature, the Y4G Fellowship continues to shape informed and proactive leaders committed to building a better Mysuru through democratic participation.
