UPLGYF Urban Policy & Local Governance Youth Fellowship- Cohort 3.0

Registration form link: https://forms.gle/wGH1zAB4avgjojdh8

Course Fee in INR (inclusive of GST):

Special 20 percent discount for IMPRI Alumni. Bulk Discounts can be availed for groups of more than 5 participants. IMPRI Alumni can avail benefits through the IMPRI Referral Policy for Alumni & Friends.

Payment of Course Fee: https://pages.razorpay.com/impricoursefee
Alternatively, can use any payment method from here: https://www.impriindia.com/payment-details/

Scholarship Details

To apply for the scholarships, please complete the
Scholarship Form link: https://forms.gle/LP3koexrPUUdyuKx7

Last Date to Apply: February 28th, 2026
Notification: Selected candidates will be informed via email.

The Urban Policy & Local Governance Youth Fellowship (UPLGYF) – Cohort 3.0 is an Online National Spring School Program designed to equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate urban governance challenges. Organized by the IMPRI Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS), this three-month immersive youth leadership certificate training fellowship fosters critical engagement with urban policy and governance frameworks.

The Urban Policy & Local Governance Youth Fellowship (UPLGYF) is a specialized training program designed to equip young learners with a foundational understanding of urban development, local governance systems, and city-level policy challenges. Through expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, and case-based learning, the fellowship introduces participants to key concepts in urban planning, service delivery, decentralization, sustainability, and the functioning of municipal institutions. The program aims to build conceptual clarity while helping participants understand the complex interplay of governance, infrastructure, and community needs in rapidly urbanizing environments.

Alongside knowledge-building, UPLGYF emphasizes practical engagement and applied learning. Fellows explore contemporary urban issues, analyze policies shaping India’s urban landscape, and participate in guided exercises that strengthen their analytical and communication abilities. The fellowship encourages youth to think critically about inclusive, resilient, and people-centered urban development, empowering them to engage meaningfully with local governance processes and contribute to more equitable and sustainable cities.

Objectives

To build foundational understanding of public policy, governance systems, and the socio-economic issues shaping India’s development.
To equip and empower young leaders to critically analyze issues, question existing structures, and engage meaningfully with real-world governance challenges.
To develop confident communicators who can articulate ideas effectively through writing, presentations, and policy-oriented dialogue.
To foster evidence-based thinking through hands-on learning, data interpretation, and exposure to practical case studies across diverse policy domains.
To nurture leadership capacity for informed participation in public policy processes, decision-making spaces, and community-level problem solving.
To encourage meaningful contributions to public policy and social development through research outputs, publications, and stakeholder engagement.
To cultivate a network of emerging practitioners committed to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and equity-driven policy and governance practices.

Key Highlights: Foundational urban policy learning; Local governance systems; Expert-led sessions; Interactive discussions; Urban planning concepts; Municipal governance insights; Case-based learning; Service delivery analysis; Sustainability and resilience; Applied policy understanding; Critical thinking; Contemporary urban issues; Youth empowerment; Interactive Discussions; Case Studies; Equitable Cities; Limited Scholarships; Publication Opportunity

For Whom

Professionals: Practitioners, researchers, policymakers, administrators, and development professionals across sectors.
Academia & Subject Experts: Faculty members, scholars, and domain specialists engaged in research or policy work.
Civil Society & Community Actors: Individuals working in NGOs, social enterprises, advocacy groups, or grassroots initiatives.
Interdisciplinary Thinkers: Those bringing cross-sector perspectives to policy, governance, and societal challenges.
Students: UG, PG, MPhil, and PhD learners from any discipline.

Applications from participants across disciplines, sectors, and regions are encouraged. IMPRI fellowships promote a multidisciplinary, inclusive learning environment that brings together diverse stakeholders to engage with real-world policy challenges.

Chair: Prof Manjula Bharathy, Professor, Centre for Urban Policy and Governance, School of Habitat Studies & Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai; Visiting Professor, IMPRI

Session Experts:
To be announced soon!

Convenors:
Dr Simi Mehta, CEO & Editorial Director, IMPRI
Dr Arjun Kumar, Director, IMPRI

UPLGYF Urban Policy & Local Governance Youth Fellowship
Cohort 1 | Oct 2024-Jan 2025
Fellows List
Fellows Creative Project PPT Video
Event Outcome Report
Anthology of Essays by Fellows ISBN Book

Program Approach

The fellowship uses a flexible, interactive, and applied learning model to help participants develop strong foundations in public policy and governance.

1. Flexible Learning
An online structure with live sessions, recordings, curated readings, and peer-support channels enables participants to learn at their own pace alongside academic or professional commitments.

2. Capacity Building
Expert-led webinars, thematic masterclasses, and guided research tasks build analytical, writing, and policy skills across governance, development, social justice, environmental issues, and related areas.

3. Applied Leadership
Through creative projects, research writing, and presentations, fellows engage critically with real-world challenges and practice leadership in policy dialogue and public communication.

Outcomes

Foundational Understanding: Develop a strong grasp of the public policy landscape, institutional processes, and key governance challenges.
Expert Guidance: Learn from domain experts through webinars, masterclasses, and structured mentoring.
Research & Writing Skills: Conduct focused research and produce well-reasoned analytical work.
Creative & Practical Application: Present insights through visual, narrative, or audio-visual formats that support wider discourse.
Publication Pathways: Contribute to IMPRI blogs, reports, and ISBN book chapters.
Peer & Professional Networks: Build relationships with peers, practitioners, scholars, and mentors.
Public Presentation: Present research in live YouTube sessions with expert feedback.

Benefits

• Flexible online learning with live sessions, recordings, and accessible resources.
• Milestone-based structure to support steady progress alongside work or studies.
• Expert-led sessions to build strong analytical, research, and policy skills.
• Guided projects to apply concepts to real-world governance and development issues.
• Opportunities to present work, lead discussions, and collaborate with peers.
• Engagement with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers for deeper insights.
• Access to curated readings, course materials, and session recordings.
• Publication opportunities through blogs, reports, and ISBN book chapters.
• Presentation of work on live YouTube sessions with expert feedback.
• Recognition on IMPRI Insights, social media, and event outcome reports.
• Official IMPRI Certificate of Participation & Completion.
• Membership in the IMPRI Alumni Network of emerging professionals and changemakers.

The fellowship duration is a total of 3 months. The first eight weeks comprise weekly two-hour Zoom classes covering both technical and program sessions. The next 4 weeks are dedicated towards the finalisation of the fellowship project.

1. Technical Sessions
Live classes, interactive discussions and networking with leading experts, covering the core curriculum and subject matter in depth.

Session Topics & Experts:

2. Program Sessions
The program sessions help in building the projects chosen by the fellows. These sessions feature live interaction with the experts regarding the projects. Sessions include:

• Participant introduction session
• Fellowship project discussion session
• Project Update Discussion Session
• Research article writing session
• Presentation session
• Feedback & Careers Session

Note: Exact session dates, times, and expert details will be communicated through the program Guidelines Document.
The Guidelines Document comprises the Templates for all required submissions, Submission guidelines and timelines, Reference materials for each submission, Reading resources shared by experts and Communication and coordination support.

Fellowship Assistance & Coordination: Dedicated Coordinators support participants throughout the program with the help of WhatsApp groups and IMPRI email.

Flexible Learning: All session recordings are available for 2 weeks post live session.

The Fellowship Project is the central experiential component of all IMPRI Fellowship Programs. It enables participants to apply their learning through research, analysis, and creative expression on contemporary policy, governance, and development issues. The project aims to generate original, high-quality insights that inform academic, professional, and public policy dialogues.

Project Outputs

Fellows produce three core outputs that become part of IMPRI’s public-domain documentation ecosystem—IMPRI Insights, IMPRI Books, and IMPRI’s YouTube Channel—ensuring safety, transparency, and long-term accessibility:

• Book Chapter: A well-researched, original written piece developed through structured stages—Abstract, Extended Abstract, Draft Chapter, and Final Chapter. Final chapters are published in an IMPRI ISBN Edited Volume (Anthology of Essays).
• Blog Article: A concise analytical or reflective write-up published on IMPRI Insights, highlighting key perspectives, findings, or thematic insights from the fellow’s work.
• Creative Presentation: A live presentation of the fellowship project on IMPRI’s YouTube Channel, using formats such as presentations, short films, documentaries, spoken word, poetry, or visual storytelling.
• Additional visibility is provided through IMPRI’s social media platforms, including Meet Our Fellows announcements, blog posts, fellows’ publication announcements, and the YouTube live presentation of the fellowship project.
• Fellows are encouraged to present their work — in seminars, conferences, and workshops — and are also expected to publish in journals, magazines, newspapers, blogs, books, and other platforms to broaden the reach and policy impact of their work. In this regard, the IMPRI team will provide all necessary assistance.
• A certificate of completion will be awarded to fellows and will be issued after the final publication is released.
• Overall, the outcome is to equip and empower fellows to engage critically with the issue, communicate their insights with confidence, and contribute meaningfully to advancing further research, advocacy, and social impact.

All submissions undergo plagiarism checks, quality review, and relevance assessment to ensure academic integrity.

Process & Support

• Mentorship from chair experts and the program team through live learning and training sessions on the fellowship project.
• Continuous feedback and guidance provided via email, WhatsApp groups, calls, and direct coordinator support to ensure steady progress.
• Access to templates, guidelines, reading resources, and timelines through a detailed Guidelines Document.
• Encouragement to present or publish research beyond IMPRI—at seminars, conferences, journals, and policy forums—to expand impact.
• All sessions and project presentations are highlighted across IMPRI’s social media and outreach channels, enhancing visibility and placing fellows’ work in the public domain.

Note: To explore some of the featured projects and outcomes, visit the “In Focus” segment below on this webpage.

1. Do I need prior knowledge or an academic background in public policy or governance?
No prior background is required. The fellowship builds foundational to advanced understanding and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced learners.

2. What is the time commitment? Can full-time working professionals apply?
Yes, full-time professionals can apply. The program requires about 2–3 hours per week, including live sessions and preparation.

3. Will the online sessions be recorded?
Yes. All live sessions are recorded, and participants can access the recordings for 15 days after each session.

4. Will I receive an e-certificate?
Yes. All participants who complete the program requirements will receive an official IMPRI e-Certificate of Participation & Completion.

5. Will I get networking opportunities?
Absolutely. Fellows engage with experts, mentors, and peers through sessions, discussions, and collaborative work, becoming part of the wider IMPRI learning and alumni network.

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