Mumbai: The Azim Premji Foundation has launched its Social Startups Programme to support development sector professionals in establishing and leading civil society organisations focused on addressing the needs of underserved communities across India.
The social startups programme aims to help experienced development sector professionals who have spent years working with communities but lack the financial resources, guidance and institutional support required to establish organisations of their own.
Through this initiative, the Azim Premji Foundation will provide financial assistance, guidance and learning opportunities to help participants build locally rooted civil society organisations that address community-specific challenges.
Many professionals working in the development sector have a strong understanding of grassroots challenges and the needs of underserved communities.
However, limited access to financial support and institutional guidance often prevents them from setting up independent organisations.
The social startups programme seeks to bridge this gap by enabling such professionals to establish and lead organisations that can work directly with communities over the long term.
Rajib Ghosh, Head – Philanthropy, Azim Premji Foundation, said, “We need more organisations working at the grassroots, especially in underserved areas. Many experienced professionals understand the challenges communities face and want to contribute more.
This programme aims to help them take that step and build organisations of their own. This is distinct from the Foundation’s regular grants programme that supports existing, registered organisations (both mature and more recently early-stage).”
Social Startups Programme to Support 100 Participants Across Four Geographies
The first cohort of the social startups programme will include approximately 100 participants across four geographies: Odisha, North-East India, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengaluru Urban.
The programme will support individuals interested in establishing civil society organisations working across multiple areas of social development.
The identified areas of work include:
- Rural livelihoods
- Health
- Youth development
- Mental health
- Disability
- Children’s welfare
- Well-being of Adivasi communities
- Urban informal settlements, including creches and community sanitation
- Welfare rights
Through the social startups programme, the Foundation intends to support the development of locally rooted organisations addressing the specific needs of communities in these geographies.
Who Can Apply for the Social Startups Programme?
The Azim Premji Foundation has specified eligibility criteria for professionals interested in applying for the social startups programme.
Applicants must:
- Be below 40 years of age.
- Hold a graduate degree.
- Have at least three years of ground-level experience in the development sector.
- Intend to establish and lead a new civil society organisation.
- Be willing to relocate and make a long-term commitment to their chosen geography.
An important eligibility condition is that applicants who have already registered an organisation will not be eligible for the programme.
The social startups programme is specifically intended for professionals who want to establish new civil society organisations rather than those who have already registered their organisations.
Two-Phase Social Startups Programme Structure and Financial Support
The social startups programme will be implemented in two phases, beginning with an eight-month seeding phase, followed by a grant phase for eligible participants.
Phase 1: Eight-Month Seeding Phase
During the first phase, participants will receive financial support to work with communities, understand local needs and develop their proposed organisations.
In addition to financial assistance, the Azim Premji Foundation will provide guidance on important aspects of establishing a civil society organisation, including:
- Organisation registration
- Governance
- Statutory compliances
At the end of the eight-month seeding phase, participants are expected to have registered their organisations.
Phase 2: Two-Year Seed Grant
Following the seeding phase, participants who have registered their organisations will be able to submit grant proposals for evaluation.
Those who meet the programme’s criteria may receive a two-year seed grant to establish and strengthen their organisations and their work with communities.
Through this two-stage approach, the social startups programme will support participants from the initial organisation-building process to the development and strengthening of their civil society initiatives.
Social Startups Programme: Application Dates and Selection Process
Applications for the Azim Premji Foundation’s social startups programme are open from 1 November to 31 December 2026.
The selection process will involve multiple stages to assess applicants’ eligibility, experience and commitment to establishing new civil society organisations.
The selection process includes:
- Eligibility screening
- Document review
- Statement of purpose
- Online interview
- In-person panel discussion
The eight-month seeding phase is scheduled to begin on 1 April 2027.
Participants will subsequently be assessed in November–December 2027 to determine their progression to the grant phase.
How to Apply for the Azim Premji Foundation Social Startups Programme?
Interested applicants can find further information about the social startups programme, including eligibility requirements and the application process, on the Azim Premji Foundation’s official website.
