“Jugni” is a Punjabi word that means “female firefly”. In nature, a firefly could be one of many, or fly singly, on its own. The insect is small and quite ordinary but glows with an inner light while lighting up spaces around it. A fellow (jugni or jugnu, depending on preference) would be from a remote part of the country, trying to throw some light on the concerns around them. They would help dissipate the darkness with the glow of their inner selves. This could be by sharing their knowledge or skills, or sometimes, just be by being. An independent fire spirit that does not have to do something to prove themselves. The light they shed helps change the world in ways that may be small but is impactful.

Avaazein Foundation invites individuals who identify themselves from historically marginalised communities across caste, religion, gender, sexuality, class, race, ability, and ethnicity, who would like to share an idea that aligns with constitutional values and democratic rights.
• Only individual applications will be accepted for the fellowship.
• Individuals from India and residing in India, who identify as women, transgender, gender non-binary, gender non-conforming people, people from Dalit, Adivasi, and Vimukta communities; from minority religious beliefs and faiths; people living with disabilities; those with diverse sexual identities, and people from under-represented and marginalised communities.
• Anyone who has an idea that would amplify voices and issues of marginalised communities in India; or promote gender justice and democratic and constitutional rights, eliminate discrimination and violence, based on the hierarchies mentioned above.
• Individuals could include those working as community organisers, social workers, cultural activists, lawyers, stringers and journalists (using different media), and teachers (working for non-formal education). Individuals with a professional background (like lawyers and reporters) would need to have relevant work experience and understanding of issues on the ground to apply for this fellowship.
• Individuals residing in smaller towns, semi-urban and rural peripheral locations, in villages, geographically remote, or in difficult (socio-economic) areas. Also, those from larger cities, who have little or no access to financial and other kind of resources.
• Individuals who have never received a fellowship will be preferred.
• Applicant’s age should be 18 or above.

This is essentially a non-academic fellowship. It would support ideas either community-based, or independent, through various forms of art , such as visual, audio, performing, graphic, digital, and sensory, or through story-telling, working on issues related to constitutional values and democratic rights.

It does not support costs related to academic studies. For e.g. It does not support tuition fees, or travel costs for students to pursue their further studies or research etc.

• Fellowship stipend that includes the cost for supporting yourself as well as for implementing your proposed idea.
• A group of support people (with skills in translation, sign language interpretation and transcription) will work with fellows based on their needs.
• Key Support Persons (mentors) to guide, suggest and support the fellows on required issues and skills.
• Perspective and skill-building sessions and workshops.
• Opportunities to strengthen alliances, connections, and networks.

The Fellowship amount for a 12 month period would not exceed 5 lakhs per annum. Once selected, the applicant would have to prepare and submit a budget together with their proposal and timeline.

The duration of the fellowship could be between 3 months to 12 months. It will depend on the kind of work that the applicant proposes. The extension will be subject to the decisions of the fellowship team.

It takes approximately 2-3 months for the selection process and 4 months for the Fellowship to start.

The number could vary between 7-12 fellows per year, but it could go up

For more details you can visit our website page. You can also write to us with your specific queries at jugnifellowship@avaazeinfoundation.org.

Yes, persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The Fellowship team will provide support to accommodate the needs of the applicant during the application process, and for implementation of their ideas, if they are selected.

Yes, you can ask for a support person by writing to Avaazein.

Yes, they can, but our preference is to reach those individuals who fulfil other criteria mentioned in point number 2. That includes those who either do not have any source of income, or those whose earning is seasonal, or is fairly small.

One government identity card is required, to apply for the fellowship. If you get selected as a fellow, we would require your PAN Card and bank account details.

In general, no, you need not have prior work experience to apply. However, if your proposed idea is related to your profession, then you need to have work experience in that profession. For e.g. If your idea is related to doing case work as a lawyer for a specific community and/or for a specific kind of issue, then you need to have experience of working in the community or on that issue as a lawyer.

The call for applications for the Jugni Fellowship will be uploaded on our website once a year. You can apply in written, audio, visual or any other format that you are comfortable with. You can send it to us by post, WhatsApp, email or any other media. Your application can be in the language that you best express yourself in.