Interfaith Leaders for Social Action Frequently Asked Questions About the Programme Q1. What is Interfaith Leaders for Social Action programme (ILSA)? Launched in 2011, Interfaith Leaders for Social Action (ILSA) is a three-year initiative of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) in India. ILSA is being implemented in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai and will make an impact on social issues through interfaith action within diverse communities. Further, the program will harness the social capital of Indian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to advancing interfaith cooperation, establishing hubs that catalyze interfaith action in the four cities. ILSA will identify, train, and mentor a select group of India s finest young leaders inspired by their faith and secular beliefs to serve. These Interfaith Leaders will be hosted in pairs by participating NGOs in each city and will be charged with advancing a social action project related to the mission of their host organization. They will mobilize their communities to take part in their social action project and grow the capacity of their host organizations mission through interfaith organizing. Learn more about ILSA at www.ifyc.org/ilsa Q2. What is Interfaith Youth Core? Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) is a U.S. based non-profit that seeks to make interfaith cooperation a social norm. IFYC builds mutual respect and pluralism among young people from different religious traditions by empowering them to work together to serve others. Since 2002, IFYC has worked on five continents and with over 300 college and university campuses, training thousands in the principles of interfaith leadership, and reaching millions through the media. Learn more about IFYC at www.ifyc.org Q3. What does IFYC mean by interfaith cooperation? In a world of interfaith cooperation, religiously diverse people can live together in equal dignity and mutual loyalty, inspired by their various traditions to work together for the common good. The long-term mission of IFYC is to make interfaith cooperation the norm, rather than the exception, for how people of different faiths interact. Drawing from Harvard University scholar Diana Eck, IFYC articulates interfaith cooperation as the active engagement of religious diversity to a constructive end. Interfaith cooperation, which is interchangeable with religious pluralism, has three essential components:
Respect for individual religious or non-religious identity, Respect for identity means that everyone can bring their full identity to the table. There s space for people to believe that they are right and others are wrong, and that their beliefs are true and others are not. Interfaith cooperation is not syncretistic or relativistic; no one has to concede exclusive truth claims to be part of it. Mutually inspiring relationships, and Interfaith cooperation builds relationships that move towards authentic friendships, even as space emerges for real conversations about disagreements and difference, with a sense that each person gains from the relationship. Common action for the common good. Dialogue is important, but research shows that common action builds stronger communities. This is where interfaith cooperation has the potential to both create tolerant individuals and transform communal relations in a diverse society. Q4. What is the exact duration of the programme? The programme will begin with the Interfaith Leadership Training in Delhi from July 12-17, 2012 and will conclude on June 30, 2013. Q5. What is the time commitment to be an Interfaith Leader? The role of an Interfaith Leader requires a commitment of at least 12 hours per week: 1.5 hours check-in with the Partner NGO mentor, 1.5 hours communicating with IFYC, 2 hours for meeting with social action team, 1 hour for writing reflection/report to IFYC, and at least 6 hours devoted to implementing the social action project. Q6. What kind of training will be provided to Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders? IFYC will conduct an intensive Interfaith Leadership Training in Delhi, where the participants will be familiarized with the framework and methodology of interfaith cooperation and will be equipped with the skill-set of leading a social action project. Attendance is mandatory for the entire training period. Participants will be continually provided with training during their engagement with ILSA programme.
Q7. In which city will the social action projects be implemented by Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders? Interfaith Leaders will work with a Partner NGO in their city of residence, i.e. Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai or their surrounding suburbs to implement their social action projects. Q8. What opportunities are available to the participants after the programme? Several alumni of IFYC programmes have pursued advanced degrees in political science, public policy, healthcare, and mass communication. Others have chosen to work in the field of higher education administration, leadership development, philanthropies, non-profit organizations, and think tanks. Participants in ILSA programme, both Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders, will become part of the broader international alumni network of IFYC. Members of our alumni network are consistently provided information about job and academic opportunities, professional development opportunities, and are offered speaking engagements on interfaith cooperation on an ongoing basis. Eligibility Q9. What are the criteria to be eligible as a Partner NGO? Partner NGO applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for ILSA programme: a. Must have Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (http://www.fcraforngos.org/intro.htm), b. Registered and in operation in India for at least three years, c. Located in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai or its suburbs, d. Have a minimum of two full-time staff employed on-site, e. Demonstrated prior experience in managing grants, preferably from foreign organizations, f. Demonstrated prior experience in working on collaborative projects with other Indian NGOs, g. Show interest in enhancing and promoting interfaith outreach efforts and approaches, and h. Able to present financial audits, if necessary, from the last three years.
Q10. What are the criteria to be eligible as an Interfaith Leader? Interfaith Leader applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for ILSA programme: a. Be a citizen of India. Individuals holding PIO/OCI cards are not eligible, b. Be between the ages of 18 30 years, c. Be a current student pursuing graduate or post-graduate degree. Preference will also be given to those who have already completed their graduate and/or postgraduate degree(s), d. Be bilingual in English and Hindi or another regional language, e. Be currently residing in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai or their suburbs, f. Be committed to interfaith cooperation, service-learning, and the mission of IFYC, g. Have demonstrated leadership experience through participation in extracurricular activities in college, h. Have strong writing skills in English and Hindi or another regional language, i. Have demonstrated prior experience in public speaking, advocacy, or crisis response, j. Have strong work ethic, problem solving and time management skills, k. Have prior experience in leading or participating in a social action project and event planning (preferred). Q11. Are outstation candidates (who currently don t reside in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai or its suburbs) provided any facilities for accommodation during the programme year? The programme is only open to candidates who currently reside in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai or its suburbs. Therefore no accommodation arrangements will be made by IFYC for participants during the programme year. Q12. What are the technology requirements to participate in the programme? IFYC requires applicants to have a stable internet connection to access the online learning technology for coaching during the programme year. Additionally, participants must have regular access to a computer, a webcam, and a microphone (built-in or plug-in). Q13. If an Interfaith Leader applicant does not follow a particular religion, can he/she still apply? The leadership opportunity is open to anyone motivated to advance interfaith cooperation through social action. All religious and non-religious young people that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply for the programme.
Q14. Do Partner NGO applicants need to have prior experience in working on interfaith/interreligious/communal harmony issues? No. Partner NGO applicants do not have to have prior experience in working on interfaith/interreligious/communal harmony issues. However, a background with this type of work is a positive attribute. We are looking to partner with any NGO that is motivated to advance its mission and interfaith cooperation through social action. Selection Process Q15. What are the deadlines of the ILSA application? Applications for the year 2012-2013 are now open. To be considered for the competitive deadline, Partner NGO and Interfaith Leader applications must be received by Sunday, March 18, 2012. The regular deadline for all applicants is Sunday, April 8, 2012. Q16. What is the selection process? ILSA programme involves a highly competitive selection process to enable brilliant, motivated young individuals from across the country to be part of the programme. Prospective Partner NGOs are invited to apply to the programme through an online application. Partner NGO applicants must nominate a minimum of two and a maximum of six Interfaith Leader candidates in their application. The nominated Interfaith Leader candidates will receive an automatic email with a link to their application that must be submitted by the application deadline. Please note: Prospective Interfaith Leader applicants will not be able to apply for the programme directly and will have to be nominated by a prospective Partner NGO applicant. Q17. Will applicants be interviewed during the selection process? Both Partner NGO and Interfaith Leader candidates will be interviewed either via phone or through in-person interviews between April 30 and May 18, 2012. Shortlisted candidates will be notified about the interview process after the application deadlines.
Q18. What is the timeline of the application cycle? ILSA application cycle includes the following key dates: Saturday, February 25, 2012 Applications open Sunday, March 18, 2012 Competitive deadline for Partner NGO and Interfaith Leader applications Sunday, March 25, 2012 IFYC sends interview notifications to competitive deadline applicants Sunday, April 8, 2012 Regular deadline for Partner NGO + Interfaith Leader applications Friday, April 20, 2012 IFYC sends interview notifications for regular deadline applicants Monday, April 30 Friday, May 18, 2012 Interviews Friday, June 1, 2012 IFYC sends selection notification to all applicants Roles and Responsibilities Q19. What will be the role of a Partner NGO? The role of a Partner NGO will be as follows: a. Mentor at least two Interfaith Leaders to achieve measurable outcomes on their social action project who will work at least 12 hours per week for 12 months. b. Assist Interfaith Leaders with implementing their action plan and making progress on their programme calendar in collaboration with IFYC. c. Provide workspace and the capacity to incorporate Interfaith Leader s work within the organization. d. Provide brief online quarterly reports to IFYC on the management of the Partner NGO s grant and Interfaith Leader s work. e. Attend a bi-monthly convening of all Interfaith Leaders within their city convened by IFYC s National Partner NGO. f. Attend IFYC s South Asia Regional Conference in 2013. Q20. What will be the role of an Interfaith Leader? Interfaith Leader will work to achieve interfaith cooperation by advancing the goals of their Partner NGO through his/her social action project. Interfaith Leader s social action project will be determined based on the action plan devised by the Interfaith Leader and the Partner NGO during the Interfaith Leadership Training. A typical social action project may include implementing fundraising initiatives, running advocacy campaigns, or coordinating
interfaith service initiatives in cities. In addition, a portion of the Interfaith Leader s time each month will be devoted to interfaith leadership coaching sessions and participation in webinars. Q21. What will be the criteria for measuring the impact of the Partner NGO and Interfaith Leader s work? Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders will increase the number and quality of interfaith partnerships in their city through their social action project. Through their work with religious and secular communities, Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders will help advance interfaith cooperation and take steps to combat their social issue. Financial and Programmatic Support Q22. What kind of funding will be given to implement the social action project? IFYC will provide a grant of $1,600 to the Partner NGO for per pair (2) of Interfaith Leader hosted by it to be used toward the implementation of the social action project by the Interfaith Leaders. The grant will be given directly to the Partner NGO and the Partner NGO will disperse these funds to the Interfaith Leaders and keep track of all expenditures. Q23. Will Interfaith Leaders receive a stipend during the programme? Interfaith Leaders are provided a voluntary leadership opportunity through ILSA. However, to recognize the contribution of the Interfaith Leaders in the programme, IFYC will provide a modest stipend of $200 to each Interfaith Leader for the entire programme year. This amount will be given directly to the Partner NGO who will disperse it to their Interfaith Leaders biannually. Please note: The stipend is not a monthly salary and will not be dispersed on a monthly basis. Q24. Will Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders receive funding to attend the Interfaith Leadership Institute in Delhi? If accepted into the programme, all costs associated with Partner NGOs and Interfaith Leaders involvement at the Interfaith Leadership Training, including travel, food, and lodging will be covered by IFYC.
Q25. How will Interfaith Leaders be supported by Partner NGOs? Partner NGOs will designate a representative who is responsible for guiding Interfaith Leader s work, progress toward their social action project goals, and professional development. Partner NGOs will also provide Interfaith Leaders with additional training on their particular social action issue, projects, and/or on any special content Interfaith Leaders will need to implement their social action project. Q26. How will Interfaith Leaders be supported by IFYC? IFYC will provide an ongoing coaching support to Interfaith Leaders during the programme year via phone or Skype on strategies to effectively implement their action plans. IFYC will also host periodic webinars to re-train Interfaith Leaders on the best practices to implement their social action project throughout the programme year. Q27. How will Partner NGOs be supported by IFYC? IFYC will provide ongoing support to Partner NGOs through monthly check-in calls throughout the programme year focused on providing best practices in mentoring and supporting the Interfaith Leader s work at the organization.