Next Generation Fellowship by UN & CEEW

Led by young Indians and powered by innovative intergenerational action, 10 Next Generation India Fellows are driving consensus on a future agenda for India and the world.

The United Nations Foundation Next Generation Fellows initiative equips young leaders to navigate global institutions and to actively lead and influence policies at local, regional, and international levels.

The India chapter of this global initiative—the Next Generation India Fellows—is developed and implemented in strategic partnership with CEEW. Launched in line with India's G20 Presidency, the India-focused Fellowship positions young people at the forefront of shaping the country's future and solving the world's most pressing challenges.

Our Focus

The 10 Next Generation India Fellows bring thematic expertise across public health, clean and affordable energy, oceans, future of food systems, innovation, new technologies, future of work, sustainable cities and art and culture. Together, they are exploring disruptive global megatrends that are shaping the future of India and the world.

Themes

Demographic Trends

Over half of Indians are under the age of 30, that is 734 million young Indians, or more than the total population of the European Union and Oceania combined. This powerful and unique demographic dividend can drive rapid growth and build a Viksit Bharat if India makes the right investments today.

Rapid Urbanisation

By 2050, 68% of the global population will live in cities. A majority of this expansion will occur in young countries of Asia and Africa. Indian cities are already under strain from pollution, housing slums, and water shortages as a result young people will inherit homes that depreciate their quality of life without urgent reforms in urban planning.

Artificial Intelligence

AI could add $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030 but also threatens to disrupt up to 300 million jobs worldwide through automation. The challenge is to harness AI for innovation while retraining and protecting India’s workforce, especially as the largest generation of young Indians enter the workforce.

Climate Change

The cost of inaction is mounting – 2023 saw a record 399 climate disasters causing over $202 billion in losses. Rising seas and extreme weather could displace tens of millions of Indians by 2050. For young people across India and the Global South that have historically contributed the least to climate change, it's a real threat that is reshaping lives, livelihoods and futures.

Geopolitical Shifts

Global power dynamics are in flux. India, as a G20 leader and the world’s largest democracy, stands at the center of this shift. The challenge is ensuring young Indians have a voice in shaping international policy and a reformed multilateral order.

Our Impact

Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Over half the country is under the age of 30 and we’re investing in the leadership of this generation to shape an India and world of infinite possibility.

Our Fellows undergo 200+ hours of expert-led and peer-driven training to strengthen their leadership and navigate the policy landscape in India and globally.
They also receive intergenerational mentorship from the Next Generation India Advisors, a distinguished cohort of senior bureaucrats, diplomats, civil society leaders, and industry pioneers.

Future Mapping

Young people must lead in designing the future they inherit and we are putting them at the center of this long-term planning for the country and the world.

September 2024 | Fellows co-lead the 2024 Engine Room bringing together over 50 changemakers from across the Global South to put together a forward-looking document, the 2100 Learning Agenda, that centres young people and young countries in the redressal of global challenges.
December 2024 | Anticipating the evolving needs of language and knowledge, Fellows publish India in Future Tense: a youth-led dictionary that identifies trends that will be dominant when India turns 100 in 2047.
Upcoming in September 2025 | In the face of global disruptions, India needs a bold and innovative plan of action, one that is shaped with and for young Indians. Our Future India, a campaign that puts India’s young people at the heart of long-term national planning, has been created to put that plan into motion.

Building Momentum towards Viksit Bharat 2047

We’re building a future-facing ecosystem of young Indian leaders committed to shaping a Viksit Bharat.

August 2024 | Fellows hosted Youth Sabha 2047, a national townhall with 200+ young leaders from across India alongside high-level speakers from the government, UN and industry including Dr Shamika Ravi, Member, EAC to the PM, UNRC Shombi Sharp, UNSGs SDG Advocate Dia Mirza and Wg Cdr Rakesh Sharma.
March and May 2025 | Fellows convened 600+ young Indians through national consultations in 7 Indian cities and global diaspora dialogues across North America, Europe, MENA and Asia Pacific mapping how they are navigating global disruptions and seizing new opportunities.

Diplomacy in Action

We place young leaders at the frontlines of global and regional dialogues where decisions are made, and futures are shaped.

Our Fellows have addressed key global conferences including the ECOSOC Youth Forum, the Commission on the Status of Women, Summit of the Future, Financing for Development Conference and more.
They have also carried India’s vision to regional forums in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and more through UN Foundation Town Halls, AIESEC convenings and other CSO-led conferences.