Empower rural communities: PPiA Programme invites NE youth

Applications are now open for the 2024-26 cohort of the Public Policy in Action (PPiA) Praxis Residency Programme, inviting young professionals from the Northeast to empower marginalized rural communities. This initiative combines public policy practice with academic rigour to create equitable, inter-generational opportunities.

According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, 65 per cent of India’s population lives in rural areas, with nearly 47 per cent relying on agriculture for their livelihood. These statistics highlight the critical need for inclusive development and economic opportunities for underserved rural citizens. The PPiA Praxis Residency Programme addresses this need by placing learners within high-impact government programs across India, specifically targeting marginalized rural communities.

The programme integrates academic understanding provided by a global faculty, fostering collaborative relationships that sustainably impact resource-starved geographies. To apply, candidates should have completed a four-year degree or a post-graduate course from a recognized university in any discipline, be under 30 years old, and possess at least three years of work experience. Applicants must also demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and equity. During the residency, participants will receive a consolidated stipend of Rs 75,000 per month to cover field, travel, and work-related expenses.

Praxis learners will benefit from learning from top policy experts worldwide through partnerships with prestigious institutions like the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and Stanford University. Workshops and seminars will provide insights into the policy framework for rural communities through interactions with high-ranking government officials.

The two-year certificate course includes academic content equivalent to a one-year post-graduate course in public policy. Graduates of the programme will be equipped to contribute to the rural renaissance and transform the lives of marginalized communities in India through their involvement in high-impact, grassroots programs.

Anish Kumar, Co-Lead of Transform Rural India (TRI) and member of the Praxis Academic Team, emphasized the programme’s unique approach. “The PPiA Praxis Residency brings consolidated insights from global public policy programmes to develop an India-centric scholar-practitioner programme, providing the learner cohort with rigorous applied academic content blended with practical skills,” he said. This equips professionals to productively engage with the needs of a modernizing and aspirational society.

Highlighting the programme’s evolution, Gouri Rajagopal, PPiA Praxis Course Coordinator, stated that this year’s cohort aims to attract diverse applicants, particularly from marginalized communities. “We encourage applications from diverse castes, gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, disabilities, and socio-economic backgrounds, and we especially urge women who have taken career breaks to apply,” she said.

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