THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BENGALURU, NOVEMBER 3, 2026
In a major push to strengthen grassroots development and expand the reach
of civil society organisations, the Azim Premji Foundation has launched a
Social Startups Programme aimed at empowering experienced development sector
professionals to establish and lead organisations addressing the needs of
underserved communities.
The initiative seeks to bridge a critical gap in the social development
sector by extending financial assistance, mentorship and learning opportunities
to professionals who possess extensive grassroots experience but often lack the
resources and institutional guidance to set up organisations of their own.
"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," Rajib Ghosh, Head -
Philanthropy, Azim Premji Foundation, said.
He clarified that the initiative is distinct from the Foundation's
regular grants programme, which supports existing registered organisations,
including both established institutions and early-stage entities.
The first cohort is expected to comprise around 100 participants from
four geographical regions — Odisha, North-East India, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and
Bengaluru Urban.
The programme will support initiatives across a wide spectrum of
development priorities, including rural livelihoods, healthcare, youth
development, mental health, disability, children's welfare, the well-being of
Adivasi communities and welfare rights. It will also focus on challenges in
urban informal settlements, including the provision of creches and community
sanitation facilities.
To be eligible, applicants must be below 40 years of age, hold a graduate
degree and have at least three years of hands-on experience in the development
sector. They must demonstrate an intention to establish and lead a new civil
society organisation, relocate to their chosen geography and make a long-term
commitment to working with local communities.
Professionals who have already registered an organisation will not be
eligible for the programme.
The initiative will be implemented in two phases, beginning with an
eight-month seeding period during which selected participants will receive
financial support to engage with communities, assess local needs and develop
their organisational plans. They will also be provided guidance on
organisational registration, governance frameworks and statutory compliances.
At the conclusion of the seeding phase, participants are expected to have
registered their respective organisations and will be eligible to submit grant
proposals for evaluation. Those meeting the prescribed criteria may subsequently
receive a two-year seed grant to establish and strengthen their organisations.
Applications for the programme will remain open from November 1 to
December 31, 2026. The selection process will involve eligibility screening,
document verification, assessment of statements of purpose, online interviews
and an in-person panel discussion.
The eight-month seeding phase is scheduled to commence on April 1, 2027, while participants will undergo an assessment in November-December 2027 to determine their eligibility for progression to the grant phase.
Further details regarding the programme, eligibility conditions and application procedures are available on the Foundation's website at azimpremjifoundation.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-organised/grants/social-startups-programme/.
