Program

The Plant 4 India Fellowship will offer the skills and practical experience needed to design and implement a successful water conservation and reforestation project. You will be involved in effective action to reverse and mitigate climate change and environmental degradation in rural locations. 

You will be immersed in an active sustainable living community and will work and train while contributing to the daily functioning of the community.

This will be a life-changing opportunity to make a meaningful, effective and long-term impact on the natural world and to improve the livelihoods of people in rural India. 

You will experience putting compassion and sustainability into action!

Applications

Applications are currently closed.

The next batch of the Plant 4 India Fellowship will start on Tuesday 1 October 2024. Applications will be received from 1 April to 1 July 2024.

Eligibility

The Fellowship is open for Indian citizens or residents of age 18 years and above.

Training will be provided during the Fellowship. Prior experience in the environmental field is not needed.

Location

The Fellowship will start at the campus of Sadhana Forest in Auroville, Tamil Nadu. Here fellows will receive orientation and initial training. Upon completion of this stage, Fellows will be assigned to one of the Plant 4 India centers in rural India to get hands-on experience training people in locally appropriate water conservation and tree planting techniques.

In-Fellowship Support

When posted in rural India, a monthly stipend will be provided to cover for expenses. Fellows will also have the support of a mentor.

Selection Process

The Plant 4 India Fellowship starts with a rigorous selection process. This ensures that applicants fully understand what it means to be committed and dedicated to long-term environmental service. It will start by filling out this form to see if this program is suitable for you.  The selection process for the Plant 4 India Fellowship is designed to ensure that applicants fully understand the commitment needed to be a Fellow. We will assess whether this program is suitable for you and if you are the right candidate for the program. Limited spaces are available.

The selection process step by step:

Step 1 – You would need to fill out this application form.
Step 2 – If your application form meets the criteria, we would update you and reach out to the references that you provide us in the application form within 5 working days.
Step 3 – If we receive responses from both your references within 10 working days of us contacting them, we will evaluate their responses within 5 working days. If we do not receive both references within 10 working days, your application process will be stopped.
Step 4 – If your application and references fit the selection criteria, you would participate in a Zoom interview with our team.
Step 5 – We would let you know the final status of your application within 5 working days of the interview.

Timeline

We will post information about the next Plant 4 India batch as soon as it becomes available.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the one year, you will have significant knowledge and experience in:

  • Water conservation – design and implementation
  • Reforestation
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem regeneration
  • Long-term rural development
  • Children’s environmental education 
  • Sustainable living (renewable energy, composting, etc.)
  • Adapting to different cultural contexts
  • Leadership 
  • Effective and compassionate communication
  • Time management

Post-Fellowship Support and Opportunities

Every person successfully completing the one year Fellowship will receive a Fellowship completion certificate, along with a personal reference based on their future goals.

Upon completing the Fellowship, you will be eligible to continue the Fellowship in the same Plant 4 India site or in another Plant 4 India location in rural India, expanding your skill set and abilities.

Those demonstrating exceptional commitment will be offered a six-month long opportunity to participate in one of our projects in Africa.

Those demonstrating exceptional leadership skills will be offered the position of Project Director in one of our projects in India or abroad.

The Organisation

Plant 4 India is an initiative of Sadhana Forest.

Sadhana Forest is active in the field of reforestation and water conservation since 2003 and won third place at the 2010 Humanitarian Water & Food Award.

Sadhana Forest’s partners include: UNDP, UNCCD, UNFCCC, World Resources Institute, World Bank, Government of Meghalaya, 1% for the Planet, Restor and Global Giving.