The Ahimsa Fellowship is India’s first Fellowship of its kind that transforms dedicated individuals into skilled animal protection advocates.
Through rigorous and intensive training over the course of eigth months, Fellows gain the knowledge and tools for effective advocacy, policy engagement, and on-the-ground action.
Don't be a bystander. Take charge. Put your compassion into action and be a real-life action hero for animals!
Lakhs and crores of animals suffer in silence. Their continuous pain is a stark reminder that our ignorance and inaction is their biggest enemy. They need to be seen as more than just a statistic; they need trained and effective animal advocates to make their voices matter.
— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) June 2, 2024
Do… pic.twitter.com/fX9Zv7aYTx
Curated Curriculum
The Ahimsa Fellowship features a meticulously curated curriculum, drawing upon the expertise of leading professionals and organisations in the fields of animal protection, advocacy, and the social sector. From understanding the complexities of animal protection issues to developing effective strategies for advocacy and outreach, our curriculum equips Fellows with the knowledge and skills needed to drive real change.
Nationwide Network
By becoming an Ahimsa Fellow, you join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals united by a shared passion for animal protection. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support, Ahimsa Fellows inspire and uplift one another, fostering a culture of perseverance, peer-learning.
Leadership Training
The Ahimsa Fellowship goes beyond advocacy, offering comprehensive training in organisational management, soft skills, and effective communication. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to the cause, we empower you to become a catalyst for change. Join us to amplify your impact, drive meaningful change, and lead with purpose in your community and beyond.
Experiential Learning
We go beyond theoretical knowledge, providing hands-on experience through immersive projects and fieldwork. Fellows have the opportunity to train under the sector's best, pitch new projects, contribute to ongoing initiatives, and intern with leading animal protection organisations. They gain invaluable insights and an unparalleled experience, akin to a crash course in maximising impact for animals!
Learn to effectively advocate for animals!
Got paw-sitive vibes for animal advocacy?
Dive into our FAQsea
before applying!
Be an Ahimsa Fellow!
Join us in our mission to create a world where every creature is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. As an Ahimsa Fellow, you play a vital role in building a future where animals are valued as sentient beings deserving of love and protection. Together, let’s be the change we wish to see in the world.
Programme Calendar
Date | Event |
31 July 2024 | Application Portal Closes |
31 August 2024 | Final List of Candidates will be Announced |
15 September | Start of Cohort 4 – Ahimsa Fellowship Kicks Off |
23 September | Q1 Contact Classes |
Meet Our Fellows.
Why become an Ahimsa Fellow?
Ahimsa Fellowship offers a unique and impactful experience for individuals passionate about animal welfare.
Here are the reasons why Ahimsa Fellowship stands out:
Tailored Mentorship
Ahimsa Fellowship provides personalised mentorship from seasoned professionals in the field of animal protection and advocacy. Our mentors offer guidance, support, and expertise to help you navigate challenges, develop your skills, and maximise your impact as an advocate for animals.
Experiential Learning
Unlike traditional programs, Ahimsa Fellowship emphasizes project-based learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in real-world projects and initiatives that directly contribute to animal welfare. Through hands-on experience and guided projects, you'll gain practical skills, insights, and confidence to effect meaningful change in your community.
Comprehensive Approach
We adopt a comprehensive strategy for animal protection, tackling systemic issues through public policy, private policy, and outreach at multiple levels. Learn how to advocate for meaningful change at both individual and societal levels, gaining insight into the bigger picture while also delving into specific, nuanced aspects of animal protection.
Networking Opportunities
As an Ahimsa Fellow, you'll have access to a vast network of fellow advocates, experts, and organizations dedicated to animal welfare. Through networking events, workshops, and community gatherings, you'll have the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from others who share your passion for creating a more compassionate world for animals.
Fellow Testimonials
The Ahimsa Fellowship gave us the tools to help the billions of animals being exploited in our country every single day. There is a lot that can be done.
Aarti Bhavana
Director,
Bharat Initiative for Accountability
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
The Ahimsa Fellowship guided me in understanding the landscape of animal protection in our country including the challenges, and effective solutions to overcome them. This has helped me to streamline my efforts towards systemic change and positively impact the lives of a large number of animals!
Ankita Sharma
Manager,
People For Animals Public Policy Foundation
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
The Ahimsa Fellowship provides the perfect platform for serious, committed individuals who want to make a career in animal protection and impact the lives of animals in the most effective manner.
Dr Asher R Jesudoss
Founding Director, Aloha Ahimsa Foundation
Executive Member, Delhi Animal Welfare Board
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
The Ahimsa Fellowship is a true catalyst. The knowledge-sharing, the one-on-one mentorship, leadership training and opportunities it provides helped me grow into the person I had always wanted to be – someone capable of impacting the lives of billions of animals!
Mehak Ahal
Manager, Corporate Engagement,
Bharat Initiative for Accountability
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 2
Feeling bad for animals doesn’t help them – being an Ahimsa Fellow does.
Mishi Aggarwal
Specialist, Cruelty Response,
Humane Society International India
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 2
The Ahimsa Fellowship gave me practical and legal insights into effective strategies for animal advocacy and policy work in India. It empowered me to become a stronger animal advocate.
Rhiddhi Patel
Legal Consultant,
Fish Welfare Initiative India
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
The Ahimsa Fellowship gave me a glimpse into what can be done for animals in this country. It made me realise that there is hope after all.
Sandeep Reddy
Chief Operating Officer (COO),
India Animal Fund
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
The Ahimsa Fellowship has been a profoundly transformational journey! It has provided me with fresh insights and a clearer direction to make a significant impact in the lives of non-human animals. I am deeply grateful to my mentors, whose unwavering dedication has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the animal protection movement in India.
Soufiya Akshita K Farzaranye
Programme Manager,
People For Animals Public Policy Foundation
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
I owe immense gratitude to the Ahimsa Fellowship for helping me look beyond the sheer helplessness I felt when witnessing animal cruelty; and instead take onus towards mobilising large scale impact for animal welfare.
Sunayana Sibal
Founder and Managing Director,
Varaha Impact Foundation
- Ahimsa Fellow, Cohort 1
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Our Mentors
We’ve learnt over the past decade how intricately animal protection is linked to our welfare and that of the planet. We need people from all walks of life to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to make this planet a better place for all animals including non human ones.
The Ahimsa Fellowship is a first of its kind initiative which will prepare you to stand up and advocate for animals. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the most experienced.
Ms Alokparna Sengupta
Managing Director,
Humane Society International India
We have many compassionate individuals across the country, working in their communities to protect animals. A training programme like the Fellowship will help each of these compassionate individuals maximise their impact. Improve their knowledge & skills, provide a supportive community of tellows across ditterent regions, and help them help thousands of animals.
Ms Shreya Paropkari
Advocate,
Humane Society International India
PFA Uttarakhand
Ahimsa Fellowship aims at creating a talent pool of skilled individuals by imparting sound subject matter expertise in the field of animal protection. For those who want to make a sustained positive impact to the lives of animals, this is your golden opportunity.
Mr Nikunj Sharma
Chief Executive Officer,
Mercy For Animals India Foundation
The animal protection space needs professionals who have the knowledge and the ability to work with the system in order to bring about positive changes and enforcement of law. It is our endeavour to build the capacity of compassionate individuals through the Ahimsa Fellowship, so that they can help animals better.
Smt Gauri Maulekhi
Trustee, People For Animals; and People For Animals Public Policy Foundation
Trustee & Member Secretary, People For Animals Uttarakhand
Empowering those who care for farm animals is not just an act of compassion but a necessity for sustainable agriculture. At Ahimsa fellowship by building capacity in animal welfare, we ensure a healthier future for both our animals and our planet.
Nuggehalli Jayasimha
Founder and COO,
Global Food Partners
Ahimsa Fellowship is an exciting initiative to inject and groom young talent in the animal protection space.
Sh Parag Agarwal
Founder,
India Animal Fund
This has the potential to transform the sector by building leadership capacity over the years. I hope that a lot of young people with passion for animals and sustainability will join this program.
Dr Manilal Valliyate
Veterinarian and Member,
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
One of the most valuable things we need right now, to protect the welfare of animals, is talented individuals. Ahimsa Fellowship is an excellent way for a passionate individual to get started and know what took most of us years to figure out, through the course of the fellowship. It is an opportunity unlike any we’ve had before in the animal protection space.
Mr. Karthik Pulugurtha
Managing Director,
Fish Welfare Initiative India
As India’s first and only program dedicated to training committed individuals into skilled animal advocates, the Ahimsa Fellowship stands unique in its mission. The program not only equips individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills but also fosters a compassionate community of advocates dedicated to improving animal welfare across the nation.
Ms Shaalini Agrawal
Legal Consultant,
People For Animals Public Policy Foundation
Ahimsa Fellow (Class of 2023)
The Ahimsa Fellowship is a distinctive programme designed to train individuals dedicated to animal protection. It empowered me with the knowledge and experience to become an animal welfare professional. If you want to make systemic improvements in the lives of crores of animals, I strongly encourage you to apply.
Ms Rhiddhi Patel
Legal Consultant,
Fish Welfare Initiative India
Ahimsa Fellow (Class of 2022)
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