Fashion and design educators: SBI fellowship connects to local crafts

The SBI Foundation has announced a special application drive for the 13th batch of its Youth for India (YFI) Fellowship, set to begin in October 2025. The fully funded 13-month program places young professionals and graduates in rural India, where they collaborate with local communities and NGOs on grassroots development initiatives.

This year’s drive extends eligibility to State Bank of India employees, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. Applications close on 11 September 2025, with selected fellows reporting to the orientation program at Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan, on 4 October 2025.

Working with 13 partner NGOs, fellows engage in 12 focus areas, including education, health, women’s empowerment, rural livelihoods, environmental sustainability, technology, and traditional crafts. The inclusion of crafts as a thematic area may be of particular interest to fashion and design educators seeking intersections between cultural heritage and sustainable development.

Since its inception in 2011, the fellowship has built an alumni network of more than 640 fellows who have worked in over 250 villages across 21 Indian states, impacting over 150,000 lives. Alumni outcomes highlight a long-term commitment to social impact: around 70 percent continue careers in development, policy, academia, or governance, while others have pursued advanced studies or founded social ventures.

“The SBI Youth for India Fellowship reflects our commitment to empowering young minds with the exposure and empathy required to address rural challenges,” said Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director and CEO of the SBI Foundation. He emphasized the dual impact of the program in supporting rural communities and cultivating socially conscious leadership.

For educators in fields such as fashion, textiles, and design, the fellowship represents a pathway for graduates to engage with rural artisans and traditional crafts while contributing to sustainable livelihoods. Such experiences may strengthen the link between classroom learning and real-world application in communities where heritage and innovation intersect.