Our fellows are at the forefront of tackling critical urban challenges such as housing affordability, transportation, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity. Through their work, they strive to develop innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions that shape the future of urban India.
India’s cities are full of possibility, but women remain largely absent from the leadership spaces shaping them. Despite being among the most affected by decisions related to mobility, safety, public space, and climate, women continue to be underrepresented across municipal systems and urban planning institutions.
The U-CAN Fellowship was created to bridge this gap and ask a crucial question: What becomes possible when women lead urban transformation?
Over one year, eight women Fellows embedded themselves within leading urban institutions across India, working alongside governments, community networks, researchers, and non-profits to solve real problems on the ground. From clean air zones and climate action planning to participatory governance and public-space redesign, their work demonstrates the power of placing diverse leadership at the centre of city-making.
How the Fellowship is designed
The programme was intentionally built as a platform that:
What it aims to cultivate
Fellows are supported through three core enablers that shape their leadership journey:
Together, these pillars create the conditions for Fellows to build confidence, capability, and influence, enabling them to shape more equitable, resilient cities across India.
Inside this publication, you will find:
