Description

Working side by side with local communities will provide you with the opportunity to enhance the lives of others. Examples of how you can support Environmental initiatives in India:

* Conduct research projects on topics such as soil and water conservation, use of common and private land plantations, seed banks, crop cultivation, irrigation, and well deepening efforts.

* Support tribal rehabilitation projects which include tree-based farming that produces drought tolerant fruit species - improving the productivity and employment potential of degraded lands.

* Assist a National Environmental Awareness Campaign (in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment).

*Secure access to safe drinking water resources and employment for local community members through watershed management and community capacity-building initiatives.

* Analyze the success of efforts to increase local self-governance and end the privatization of natural resources.

*Support implementation of various watershed development projects, invention of new methods for harvesting rain water, and ensuring equitable distribution.

* Assist community education programs that support the use of traditional medicine, seed banks, and composting to generate income and minimize depletion of natural resources.

* Help construct field bunds, gully plugs, check dams, farm ponds, and/or community lift irrigation schemes to protect communities from the devastation caused by drought.

For more environmental opportunities in India, visit our website or contact us directly.

About FSD

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

1. Sustainable Development Training Programs for Interns and Volunteers
FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers seeking hands-on experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that reflect sustainable practices.

2. Grantmaking to Projects and Initiatives Led By Our Partner Organizations
Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support projects and initiatives implemented by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

3. Sustainable Development of Community-Based Organizations
Our professional field staff, consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training and capacity building to more than 200 community-based organizations.

Highlights

Development Issues Addressed by FSD in India
India is currently experiencing rapid and widespread environmental degradation. Tremendous pressure is placed upon the country's land and natural resources to support the rising population. Mismanagement and overuse of India's once abundant forests has resulted in desertification, contamination, and soil depletion throughout the sub-continent. This has serious repercussions for the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of Indians that live off the land. Without continual access to forest products such as fruit, honey, or firewood, communities experience debilitating hunger and are reduced to total poverty. Drought also has severe consequences for local people, affecting the availability of safe drinking water, the success of the livestock population, and basic food security.

In Rajasthan, numerous non-governmental organizations focus on environmental issues as they are extremely pressing concerns for this region. FSD works with organizations that have been enormously effective in protecting natural resources and minimizing the effects of drought. Other FSD partner non-governmental organizations conduct research projects on topics such as soil stabilization, organic farming, erosion prevention, and protection and management of forested lands. These organizations search for feasible solutions to environmental problems and then provide the local community with the necessary funding and infrastructure. Aid from environmental organizations has become an invaluable way for the poor to improve the condition of their local environment, directly affecting their quality of life.

Additional Programs are Available in: Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda, and Kenya.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Hindi

Cost in US$:

Varies Per Program

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure
• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Language instruction
• Living stipend
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Your contribution fee covers all program costs (excluding airfare) and is 100% tax deductible for U.S. residents. Included in the fee is: a one-week orientation; family homestay will all meals provided; language lessons (not available in Latin America); development trainings and workshops; group sessions; midterm retreat (9+ weeks only); final debriefing session; on-going in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff; USD 200 mini-grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to USD 500, medical evacuation and limited health insurance; and pick-up from the airport.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range

18-65

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 months

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement

Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD's programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:

• Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations worldwide.
  
  
• Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
  
  
• Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
  
  
• Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.

• Year Founded

  1995