Srinagar: Umar Masoodi, a young environmental advocate and practicing lawyer at the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, has been selected for the be Visioneers Fellowship 2025, a highly competitive, fully funded global program supported by Mercedes-Benz. The fellowship identifies young changemakers from across the world who are working to solve pressing environmental and sustainability issues through innovation and community engagement.
A law graduate from the University of Kashmir, Masoodi is among a select group of young leaders chosen for this year’s cohort. His selection comes in recognition of his impactful grassroots initiatives in Kashmir, particularly his “Taleem Initiative”, which promotes sustainability, education, and civic awareness among school children.
As a beVisioneers Fellow, Masoodi will receive extensive support to implement and scale his environmental project. This includes funding for travel, accommodation, and participation in international training sessions and networking events. In addition, he will receive a €700 infrastructure grant in June 2025 and a monthly stipend of €120 from June 2025 to May 2026. The program also offers personalized mentorship, leadership training, and access to a global network of sustainability-focused innovators.
Masoodi’s proposed project under the fellowship aims to restore and protect natural springs across Kashmir. These springs, many of which are now polluted and ecologically degraded due to human interference, are vital to local communities. His “Spring Rejuvenation Program” will involve constructing protective embankments, restoring native vegetation, encouraging sustainable water usage, and raising public awareness through community campaigns.
In addition to his latest achievement, Masoodi was previously selected for the Lucerne Academy Program in Switzerland in 2024, where he completed a specialized course on human rights at the University of Lucerne. He has also been invited by the European Union to participate in the European Youth Event (EYE2025), scheduled to take place in June 2025 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. [KNT]
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