Margshala Swarozgar Fellowship
Application last date 30 October 2023
Margshala Foundation is a non-profit organization working towards the goal of creating opportunities for young people in the most remote of communities.
Since 2019, we have run a number of innovative experimental pilots related to livelihoods, entrepreneurship, career awareness and environmental sustainability for close to 2000 young people across Uttarakhand. Our flagship program – the Margshala Swarozgar Fellowship – has grown into one of the few well-recognized youth entrepreneurship programs in the Himalayan region. We also work to create a supportive ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship, by connecting young entrepreneurs with mentors, investors and other resources.
We believe that young people are the key to building a sustainable future for rural India, and are committed to empowering them with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to create their own businesses and livelihoods.
Are you interested in learning more about our work? Visit our website or contact us at hello@margshala.com.
WHAT IS THE MARGSHALA SWAROZGAR FELLOWSHIP?
The Margshala Swarozgar Fellowship is a 9-month program for emerging young entrepreneurs from Uttarakhand, who are in the early stages of setting up their own business enterprises.
Building your own business can be a daunting and difficult process, and through the fellowship we provide motivated young entrepreneurs with the right support at the right time.
Over the course of 9 months, you will work on refining your product and your business model, identifying the right levers for business growth and expansion, and making your business sustainable and profitable in the long run.
Through the fellowship, you will also meet and network with like- minded fellow entrepreneurs who can be collaborators and friends through your journey.
Are you ready to take the leap?
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO GAIN
FROM THE FELLOWSHIP?
OVER THE COURSE OF 9 MONTHS, YOU WILL
- Work on your business idea & build a proof of concept
- Identify the right strategies to boost your sales
- Build a community of customers and co-fellows
- Deepen your impact by exploring “glocal” markets:global as well as local
YOU WILL GAIN ACCESS TO
WORKSHOPS AND LEARNING RESOURCES Explore different principles of business development and product differentiation, sales and marketing, customer acquisition, entrepreneurial mindsets and much more through a combination of offline and online workshops as well as self- paced learning resources. Learn while you build your business!
A COMMUNITY OF MENTORS AND PEERS Exchange ideas with mentors from Margshala’s Local Livelihoods focus areas, past fellows as well as subject matter experts in marketing, branding and finance. Working on your business throws up challenges from time to time, and your Margshala mentors will be readily available to support you when you need it.
SEED GRANT FUNDING As a Margshala Fellow, you can pitch for seed grant funding of upto INR 50,000. Margshala provides selected fellows with funding support to help you meet the running costs of a business while supporting your personal expenses, which is often difficult to do in the early stages.
IS MARGSHALA FOR YOU?
- You should be between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
- You must be from Uttarakhand (candidates from both rural and urban areas are eligible).
- You must be motivated to learn new things, take lots of action and meet new people.
- You must have a smartphone and internet access.
- Only entrepreneurs who started a business 6 months to 3 years ago are eligible to apply.
Location: Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Champawat
You must be working on business enterprises in the following sectors:
TOURISM &HOSPITALITY: Homestays, Adventure Tourism and Trekking, Nature Guide
FARM BASED LIVELIHOODS: Vegetable and Fruit Processing, Nursery Management, Other Niche Products
HANDICRAFTS: Natural Fibre Handicrafts, Craft-Based Products, Aipan, Embroidery, Weaving, etc.
DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES: Graphic Design, Photography, Videography, Website & App Development, Social Media Marketing
WHO IS AN IDEAL MARGSHALA FELLOW?
- You are motivated to learn new things, take lots of action and meet new people.
- You have a smartphone & internet access to attend Margshala meetings and sessions.
- You are willing to commit 3-5 hours each week to work on your business through the Margshala fellowship.
- You must be willing to travel within Uttarakhand to attend workshops and meet your peers.
IMPORTANT DATES & APPLICATION DETAILS
Please visit our website at www.margshala.com and apply using the “Apply Now” button. You can read more about the program on the website, which has information available in both English and Hindi. Once we receive your application form, the Margshala team will contact you if you are shortlisted for a selection interview.
- 15 August 2023 – Applications Open
- 30 October 2023 – Applications Last Day
- 15 November 2023 – Results Announced
- 1 December 2023 – Program Begins
Margshala Swarozgar Fellowship details in HINDI
Margshala Swarozgar Fellowship details in ENGLISH
Click here for the official page
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to be a graduate to apply for Margshala?
Margshala is for everyone. There are no eligibility criteria of education levels – apply whether you’ve completed school, college, or even if you haven’t been able to complete your education so far.
Is there a fee for participating?
There is no fee for participating in the fellowship program. All you have to do is apply and let us know why you want to join the program and how you think Margshala will benefit you.
How long is the program?
The program duration is 9 months, from December 2023 till August 2024.
I am from Uttarakhand, but do not live there. Am I eligible?
The program is open to fellows residing in Uttarakhand and plan to start a business within Uttarakhand itself.
I live in Uttarakhand, but am originally from elsewhere. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are eligible to apply for the Margshala program if you are residing in an Uttarakhand district currently.
What if my business is just an idea?
If your business is an idea, you must have worked on the business idea for at least six months, which can be evidenced in the form of a proposal, brand, product, customer testimonial or early sales.
