The Problem

The Indian constitution gives citizens the power to shape decisions that make our democracy run. Yet, participation today has become risky, inaccessible and often without visible wins.

Pressure to simply survive, a lack of strong intermediaries and an opaque system have led to distrust and most citizens believing speaking up is pointless. The challenges are toughest for oppressed castes, adivasi communities, women and marginalised genders.

Through learning conversations with over 40 leaders working on participation, rights and justice we saw 5 consistent roadblocks:

Weakening intermediaries and collectives

As work turns informal, gig, contractual and migratory, the collectives and associations that once gave people a shared voice are losing steam. More people now face the system alone, without spaces and platforms to organise or speak for them.

High cost of participation

Committed civic involvement costs time and income, against a backdrop of growing inequity and systems full of hurdles. A daily-wage worker loses a day's pay to attend a meeting, and organisers go years without a salary to keep their groups running.

No visible wins and lack of an alternate vision

Few collective wins live in people's imagination of what we could be. People spoke of outrage fatigue, few winnable campaigns, and fighting the same battles year after year for small gains.

Opaque systems

Unclear processes and accountability keep out those with the least access. Most people don't know their ward committee exists, which department is responsible, or which laws protect them.

Fear of backlash

Speaking up often brings intimidation, social sanction and retaliation. Leaders we spoke to have faced legal action and worry about losing work, benefits or standing in their community.

Some of the key leaders whose insights have informed Fifteen's journey

Amitabh Behar — Executive Director, Oxfam International Archana KR — Founder, StandForSHE Kavita Srivastava — National President, PUCL Meghnad S — Independent Digital Media Journalist Nivedita Biswas — Founder, Polity Action Lab Poorani Chandrasekar — Founder, The Penn Collective Shiraz Bulsara Prabhu — Kashtakari Sangathana Sujata Mody — President, Penn Thozhilalar Sangam Tamil Nadu Vijay Sai Pratap — Co-founder & CEO, Gram Vaani Amitabh Behar — Executive Director, Oxfam International Archana KR — Founder, StandForSHE Kavita Srivastava — National President, PUCL Meghnad S — Independent Digital Media Journalist Nivedita Biswas — Founder, Polity Action Lab Poorani Chandrasekar — Founder, The Penn Collective Shiraz Bulsara Prabhu — Kashtakari Sangathana Sujata Mody — President, Penn Thozhilalar Sangam Tamil Nadu Vijay Sai Pratap — Co-founder & CEO, Gram Vaani

Our Approach

We are rebuilding the connection between citizens and the state.

Trust-based funding

We offer core, flexible small-grants via Indian funding to collectives, builders and storytellers.

Strengthening collectives where they need it most

We go beyond grant making to support leadership development, peer learning and capacity support for partners, guided by what each group needs to enhance impact.

Pollinating learnings across networks

We will create spaces where veteran and newer collectives and leaders can share what's working across generations and regions, and build solidarity.

Making the work visible

Through platform partnerships and narrative change efforts, we will bring partners' issues into wider view and share stories of collective wins so that more citizens witness a vision of possibility and hope.

Get Involved

  • Give. Fund our first cohort of grantees.
  • Connect. Introduce us to leaders, practitioners, funders and advisors.
  • Build Community. Bring people together, and host a conversation with those who should know this work.

Write to us at info@fifteenindia.org