Open Space, Pune, invites applications for the Open Space Fellowships 2011-2012.

Open Space, the civil society and youth outreach programme of  the
Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS), Pune, engages
with citizens – especially young citizens -- on contemporary social,
economic and cultural issues through film screenings, performances,
literary readings, music concerts, art, storytelling, capacity-building
workshops, discussion and study forums, public lectures, youth
festivals and campaigns.  Open Space aims to be a vibrant place for
youth to volunteer, learn, share ideas, and express themselves.
Equally, Open Space supports CSOs and citizens to take their
work/ideas/processes to a wide audience of concerned citizens, and also
to build action networks.

The Open Space Fellowships are an effort to extend the Open Space
idea and process to other cities in India. Two rounds of fellowships –
in Chennai, Kolkata, Ranchi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Bangalore -- have
already been completed in the last three years.

In 2011 we will be awarding 3 full-time fellowships for a period of 12 months each.

Applications are invited from young activists/leaders/social
entrepreneurs in cities besides Pune. Applicants from growing metros
such as Nagpur, Bhopal, Baroda, Jaipur, Indore, etc are especially
encouraged to apply.  

We are looking for individuals who are well-informed on social
justice and development issues, with a background in the social
sciences/human rights/development/media or allied fields. The Fellows
should be dynamic, energetic, resourceful and excellent at
communications, moderating discussions, training and capacity-building.
A passion for the arts and ideas will be an added advantage.

The Fellows will have to engage with youth on issues such as gender,
sexuality, human rights, diversity, peace and conflict, globalisation,
etc. by developing their own strategies for outreach and
activities/campaigns specific to their own cities. Open Space will
provide support through resources such as feedback on ideas and
methodology, provision of reading material and films, and contacts to
resource persons, where required. The Fellows should be well-networked
with NGOs, CSOs, educational institutions and community groups in their
own city.

Over the 12-month period, several regular networks, partnerships,
events and forums should have been initiated and publicized. Open Space
Fellows will organise programmes and trainings at multiple venues, in
collaboration with educational institutions, communities, campaigns,
partner CSOs etc. The Fellows will be expected to forge formal
partnerships with at least one educational institution in their city
where they will work intensively with a particular batch of students,
set up Open Space clubs etc.

Open Space fellowships will be awarded to individuals preferably below the age of 40. 

The fellowship carries a monthly honorarium of Rs 20,000, inclusive
of communication and conveyance costs incurred by the Fellows. Modest
monthly expenditures for programmes/resourcepersons’ fees are
reimbursed separately.

Applicants are invited to send completed applications in the format given below (Subject line: OS Fellowships) as attachments to:

ujwala@openspaceindia.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and cc:
fellowships@openspaceindia.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information on CCDS and Open Space log on to www.openspaceindia.org, www.ccds.in and www.infochangeindia.org.

. Open Space Fellowship Application form format

1. Personal details:

Name:

Date of birth:

Address:

Email contact:

Phone contact:

Educational background:

Current place of employment/education/other:

2. Why I am applying for the Open Space Fellowship: (Expand
on your suitability for, and interest in, these Fellowships; the social
justice/development issues most integral to the city in which you would
like to work during the course of this fellowship;strategies you would
employ for outreach, including likely partners and networks in their
cities.)