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10. What are the core principles of the Fellowship?
The Fellowship is inspired from the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Two core principles which are at the foundation of the Fellowship are – Firstly, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Whereby Fellows are encouraged to cause any external change by changing themselves first. And secondly, he also believed in the process of action and reflection, and used reflection as a major tool for personal and then societal change. Similarly reflection is an integral part of the two year journey of the Fellowship. Fellows are supported and encouraged to reflect everyday and they go through the continual cycle of action and reflection as a part of everyday life in the Fellowship.
11. Why is the Fellowship Program run for 23 months and not one or three years?
The Fellowship is not designed for one year because we believe that developing effective leadership skills takes time and cannot be compressed in a twelve month schedule. The Fellowship believes that in the 23 months journey, a fellow has to gain 7 basic competencies which require a dedicated period of time.
12. Do Fellows get holidays?
Yes. Holidays for the entire Fellowship batch are scheduled to fit in with the school calendar. There is a break of approximately 1 week scheduled to coincide with Diwali and another 1 week break during the school summer holidays. Because almost all activities during the 2-year program are group activities, Fellows are discouraged from taking breaks apart from those which are scheduled for the group as a whole.
13. Can anyone leave the Fellowship after one year or be asked to leave mid-way?
There is no bond and one has the freedom to leave. However, Fellowship is a commitment and is meant for those who are serious about creating change. We want serious people who see value in the two years and not those who will drop out prematurely due to family pressures, marriage plans, and fancy pay package of their friends or a university education. Sometimes the organization also asks some fellows to leave who fail to show progress and meet up to the expectation of the Fellowship even after a warning and certain time frame to bounce back and show progress has been given to them. The Fellowship has its own assessment system and can ask people to leave who fail to show the rigour and excellence required to cause any social impact.
Additionally, refer to Answer 8 about stipend payment.
14. Can I stay at home and join the fellowship since I am already in Surat/Rajasthan/Mumbai?
No. GFP is a residential programme. Since the programme is all about developing competencies so staying in office accommodation and sharing knowledge with other fellows is necessary.
15. If I have social change idea and want to start social enterprise post fellowship then how will the organisation support me?
You will be supported via ‘Social Incubation & Enterprises Program’. This program supports aspiring social entrepreneurs through special idea incubation, business mentor-ship and start-up funding support up to Rs 20 lakh after Fellowship graduation.