Call for Applications: GreeNE Feminist Labs 2025

A Zubaan/hbs collaboration on feminist explorations of gender, ecology, development and climate insecurity

Zubaan seeks applications from young changemakers, climate and gender activists, researchers, artists, writers, and youth leaders for an immersive 5-day workshop that aims to explore the intersections of gender, development and ecological issues in Northeast India.

Background:

Zubaan has long been engaged in the work of supporting, documenting and archiving the multiple histories of women’s and feminist movements in India. Our work focuses on increasing the body of knowledge on women, queer, trans, gender minorities and oppressed communities with a special focus on South Asia and more specifically, India.

Through its various projects and activities, Zubaan aims at diversifying mainstream conversations, creating spaces for dialogues and knowledge production through culture, literature, discussions and archive building in the northeastern region of India – the eight states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, as well as contiguous regions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. For more information, you could explore our website https://zubaanprojects.org/. 

This year, we are organising a 5-day workshop, titled GreeNE Feminist Labs: A Zubaan/hbs collaboration on feminist explorations of gender, ecology, development and climate insecurity wherein we are looking at discussing ecology, climate change and development in the region through a feminist lens by bringing together a group of young climate and gender activists, researchers, artists, writers, and youth leaders to explore the intersections of gender, development and ecological issues with the aim of building a community of young people committed to building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable relationship with development and ecology through a gendered lens.

The workshop follows the footsteps of the Feminist Labs sessions initiated under Zubaan’s Cultures of Peace 2021 programme which were structured interlinked workshop sessions on ecology focusing on indigenous women’s rights and ecology, recent reforms in environmental law and their future impact, outstanding conservation efforts and varied creative documentation through the stories, journeys and achievements of feminist thinkers/collectives including conservationists, filmmakers, performance-based artists, women’s rights activists, journalists, etc.

The GreeNE Feminist Labs workshop organised in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Regional Office, New Delhi will attempt a greater understanding of traditional resilience mechanisms, indigenous community strategies, policy issues, newer scientific understandings and grassroot movements to bridge the human-ecology divide and enhance coping mechanisms to climate vulnerabilities.

The northeastern part of India is one of the richest biodiversity and ecological regions of the country. Its location within the Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot which spans through various Southeast Asian countries including Myanmar, Thailand and parts of China, endows the region with diverse ecosystems, flora and fauna, many of them being endemic species as well. 

However the region also faces enormous challenges in terms of rapid urbanisation, major extractive and developmental projects including hydropower projects, industrial and agro-based activities, and global climate change repercussions in the form of devastating floods, landslides, rising temperature, etc. The impact of these is felt most deeply by the poor, the weak and vulnerable, and the marginalized. Among these are women, children, the old, people with disabilities and indigenous communities whose cultural practices and ways of living focus on strong symbiotic relationships with their natural ecosystems.

In this workshop, we will explore methods such as feminist story-telling, art and hold in-person meetings with renowned ecological promoters to understand how indigenous communities as a whole are burdened by the impact of ecological crises, climate change and unsustainable development, and how pre-existing gender, class, ethnic and caste inequalities limit women’s mobility, their decision-making power and their access to health and information resources as well as redressal systems. 

Who Should Apply?

1. If you are from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and between the age of 20-35 years, you are eligible to apply. The workshop is also open for applicants from hill regions of districts Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

[Note: Preference will be given to candidates based locally and working actively within the community.]

1. Proven work/interest with issues of gender, ecology, climate and sustainable development 
2. Commitment to attend a 5-day residential workshop in Dibrugarh, Assam in mid-September 2025.

How to apply

Please complete this Google Form (link here) and upload all required documents as specified.

List of documents required for upload: 

1. An updated CV and any other relevant information about yourself that you think is necessary, including proof of age.
2. A Statement of Purpose (SOP) in about 500 words detailing their concerns and associations with environment, ecology and development, how gender and ecology/climate is intersecting in their lives, their expectations from the workshop and how they would like to take the knowledge forward. 
3. Two names of referees, ideally people you have worked with.
4. Please mention any special accommodations that you will require (example, disability accommodation, etc)

Interested applicants can send their applications by filling in the Google Form (click here). The last date for submission of the application is 11:59 pm, Sunday 6th July, 2025

Selected candidates will be informed via email by 31st July, 2025. 

Shortlisting and selection process

A selection committee will screen all applications. The committee will prepare a shortlist based on relevance to the GreeNE Feminist Labs workshop’s priorities as described in this document and may wish to interview some candidates. Interviews can take place via Zoom or phone, or in person. The committee will then decide, and the candidate will be informed. The committee’s decision will be final.

Duration : 5 days of workshop, excluding travel days 

Payments : Accomodation and food will be provided during the workshop. We will also give a modest per diem to cover the travel days. Travel expenses will be borne by Zubaan. 

__________

Registered in 2003, Zubaan is a charitable trust based in Delhi. It follows in the footsteps of its parent NGO, Kali for Women, and has been an active participant, chronicler and publisher of the women’s movement since 1984. It works to increase the body of knowledge on women with a special focus on South Asia and India.  For more information, log onto https://zubaanprojects.org. 

The Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) is a German green think-tank and part of the international Green movement, focusing on sustainability, democracy, and social justice. Through its network of offices worldwide, including in India, it aims to inspire conversations and action towards a sustainable and equitable future. For more information, log onto https://in.boell.org/en 

FAQs:

• What is the workshop about?

The workshop will discuss ecology, climate change and development in the northeastern region of India through a feminist lens to explore the intersections of gender, development and ecological issues.

• Who can apply?

This workshop is for young climate and gender activists, researchers, artists, writers and youth leaders from the eight northeastern states and the eastern Himalayan region. However, we strongly encourage applications from young women, queer, trans and non-binary people within the region. Preference will be given to candidates based locally and working actively within the community. This call is not open to non-Indian nationals.

• Can I apply if I live outside of India?

This is a physical, in-person workshop. You cannot apply if you are not a resident of India

• Is there an age limit to apply?

Yes, you must be between the age of 20-35 years to apply.

• What language should my submission be in?

All submissions should be in English.