Azim Premji Foundation launches social startups programme

Programme to support young professionals to set up their own grassroots organisations; applications open until 31 December

Updated - November 03, 2026 08:24 pm IST

The programme aims to provide financial assistance, guidance, and learning opportunities to help professionals build locally rooted organisations. | Photo Credit: File Photo

The Azim Premji Foundation has launched a Social Startups Programme to support development-sector professionals in setting up and leading civil society organisations that address the needs of underserved communities.

The programme aims to provide financial assistance, guidance, and learning opportunities to help professionals build locally rooted organisations.

The first cohort would include around 100 participants across four geographies: Odisha, North-East India, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengaluru Urban. The areas of work supported would include rural livelihoods, health, youth, mental health, disability, children’s welfare, the well-being of Adivasi communities, work in urban informal settlements, including crèches and community sanitation, and welfare rights.

Applicants must be under 40 years old, have a graduate degree and at least three years of ground-level development sector experience. They should intend to set up and lead a new civil society organisation and be willing to relocate and make a long-term commitment to their chosen geography. Those who have already registered an organisation are not eligible.

In the first eight months, participants would receive financial support to work with communities, understand local needs and develop their organisations. They would also receive guidance on registration, governance and statutory compliance.

At the end of this phase, participants are expected to have registered their organisations. They can then submit a grant proposal for evaluation. Those who meet the programme’s criteria may receive a two-year seed grant to establish and strengthen their work.

Applications are open from 1 November to 31 December 2026. More details are available at https://azimpremjifoundation.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-organised/grants/social-startups-programme/).

Published - November 03, 2026 07:21 pm IST

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