Enabling Rural Youth to Lead Change

Across the villages of the Western Himalayas, young people face a difficult choice: stay back with limited opportunities or migrate to cities in search of work.

At Margshala, we believe rural youth should have the power to shape their futures right where they are. We work alongside them to build meaningful local livelihoods, turning ambition into action through entrepreneurship, skill-building, and mentorship.

Our approach fosters clarity for informed choices, builds confidence in action, and cultivates motivation rooted in purpose, enabling youth to lead change in their own communities. Over the years, we’ve seen young people transform not just their own lives, but also the lives around them, proving that change doesn’t have to mean leaving home.

What is the
Swarozgar Fellowship?

The Swarozgar Fellowship is a 6-month learning journey for motivated rural entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 based in the Western Himalayas. Fellows build and strengthen sustainable local enterprises in agriculture, tourism, handicrafts, or digital livelihoods.

The fellowship also offers performance-based monetary rewards to support enterprise growth. Now in its fifth year, the program has supported 212 fellows across five cohorts in Uttarakhand.

What is Khojshala?

Khojshala is a 6-week career exploration program for young people aged 17 to 25 in the Western Himalayan region, designed to bridge the disconnect and opportunity gap that many rural youth face.

Through a blend of knowledge-sharing, hands-on activities, self-discovery, and exposure to local role models, participants explore a wide range of livelihood possibilities around them. Khojsha helps them understand their interests, strengths, and values, equipping them to make well-informed and confident career decisions.

0 Livelihoods
Generated

1 Youth Impacted

2 Businesses Supported

3 First-Gen Entrepreneurs

Our Impact

Our Fellow Stories

Reviving Apple Orchards in Kumaon

Neeraj Singh Bisht, a horticulture scholar, has successfully reintroduced apple farming in Kumaon by establishing a thriving organic orchard with 1,500 trees, using sustainable farming techniques. Despite climate challenges, his efforts have rekindled interest in apple farming in the region, showing that it can still thrive in the Mukteshwar-Ramgarh belt.

Preserving Kumaoni Culture Through Art

Aparna Paneru, a postgraduate Fine Arts graduate from Uttarakhand, is reviving Kumaoni culture through her unique artworks blending Aipan art, traditional Kumaoni themes, and Lord Shiva imagery. She recently participated in Project Public Art of India, organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi, and continues to inspire others through her workshops and art.

Hiking up the Mountains

Ganesh Singh Bisht, founder of Hike to Mountains, registered his eco-tourism business and, through the Swarozgar Fellowship, gained vital skills in GST, business planning, and digital marketing. His improved confidence, networking abilities, and elevator pitches have helped him secure high-value collaborations and clients.

These are just a few of the changemakers rewriting their futures, and in doing so, transforming their communities

For too long, rural youth have had to leave home in search of opportunity. We envision a future where they no longer have to choose between aspiration and belonging. By equipping young people with the skills, networks, and resources to build livelihoods where they are, we address distress migration at its core. Our vision is to create thriving local economies where youth lead change, support their communities and drive sustainable development from the ground up.