The Ignite Foundation at United Nations COP 17

Only CSO from Kerala at UNCCD COP17, SST 11.0 interest form, Onam at the Changemakers Ashram, volunteering opportunities and a mental-health impact story.

What's inside this edition

— School for Social Transformation — interest form is out
— Ignite @ UN Conference of Parties COP 17
— Onam celebration at Changemakers Ashram
— Volunteering opportunity at Changemakers Ashram
— Why first experiments matter in social entrepreneurship
— Mental health awareness — alumni projects
— 5 reasons why social entrepreneur well-being matters
— Pragya Rise — applications open

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH

At the Conference of Parties (COP) 17

The Ignite Foundation was part of the civil society organisations representing India at the United Nations COP17, held in Mongolia. Our co-founders Ijas H. and Jaseel C. K. took part in civil society meetings, plenary sessions and discussions with intergovernmental and civil society actors.

We were the only CSO from Kerala and among the youngest from across the globe to be part of COP17. The participation followed our accreditation as a UNCCD civil society observer organisation in 2026.

COMMUNITY CONNECT · CHANGEMAKERS ASHRAM

A season of community engagement

A series of community activities is under way around the Changemakers Ashram in Chakkittappara — community space beautification, children's camps, gathering spaces for older people, intergenerational conversations, farming experiments as part of climate engagement, land restoration and volunteering.

UPDATES FROM US

PROGRAMS

SST 11.0 — interest form is out

You can now fill the Expression of Interest form for the 11th edition of the School for Social Transformation. The programme takes place at Changemakers Ashram in the second week of October 2026. Interested participants will hear from us with further details and time to complete the Pre-SST Community Activity, a compulsory part of the selection process.

Fill the interest form →

CHANGEMAKERS ASHRAM

Volunteer at Changemakers Ashram, Chakkittappara

Volunteer for 2 to 5 weeks and take part in activities at the Ashram. Free accommodation is provided during the volunteering period. To contribute, learn and experience the Ashram, write to ijasporedom@gmail.com.

EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Sessions across MLA constituencies

Led by Sulfeekar Ali P. K., sessions on career planning, social consciousness and active citizenship have been delivered in two MLA constituencies in Kerala, with two more expected in the coming months.

ALUMNI PROJECTS

Bringing civic values to community conversations

Salwa, a participant of SST 9, organised two initiatives on constitutional values and democratic participation — a quiz and discussion with around 30 people at a local gathering, and an interactive session with 80 higher secondary students of GHSS Vazhakkad, Malappuram.

APPLICATIONS OPEN

Pragya Rise — an experiential programme

Nauka Foundation is organising Pragya Rise, a 15-day residential programme for youngsters aged 18–25 at the Changemakers Ashram from 15–25 September 2026, built entirely on experiential and reflective learning.

Apply here →

INSIGHTS FROM THE TEAM

5 reasons why social entrepreneur well-being matters

There is an unwritten rule in social entrepreneurship that we rarely talk about: to be a committed changemaker, you are expected to sacrifice. Somehow, being tired becomes a sign that you care. But exhaustion is not a strategy for social impact.

1.Well-being helps prevent burnoutBurnout is not simply a personal failure — it can be a structural hazard where people are expected to do more with fewer resources. Protecting energy and mental space is risk management, not luxury.

Well-being helps prevent burnout

Burnout is not simply a personal failure — it can be a structural hazard where people are expected to do more with fewer resources. Protecting energy and mental space is risk management, not luxury.

2.We need to move beyond the 'hero' cultureSocial change should not depend on one person's ability to keep sacrificing themselves. Sustainable leadership means resilient teams, systems and institutions.

We need to move beyond the 'hero' culture

Social change should not depend on one person's ability to keep sacrificing themselves. Sustainable leadership means resilient teams, systems and institutions.

3.A rested mind is better at solving complex problemsSocial problems need creativity, patience and listening. A rested mind doesn't guarantee a good solution, but an exhausted mind makes good problem-solving harder.

A rested mind is better at solving complex problems

Social problems need creativity, patience and listening. A rested mind doesn't guarantee a good solution, but an exhausted mind makes good problem-solving harder.

4.Your team learns from how you workCulture is shaped by what leaders do, not what they say. You can care deeply about the mission without sacrificing your entire life to it.

Your team learns from how you work

Culture is shaped by what leaders do, not what they say. You can care deeply about the mission without sacrificing your entire life to it.

5.Social change is a marathon, not a sprintThe work is inherently long-term, which makes longevity one of a changemaker's greatest assets.

Social change is a marathon, not a sprint

The work is inherently long-term, which makes longevity one of a changemaker's greatest assets.

Well-being is not something that comes after impact. It is part of the infrastructure that makes sustained impact possible.

— Naji Mahfood, Co-Founder, The Ignite Foundation

OPINION · FOUNDER PERSPECTIVE

Start small, build smart: why first experiments matter

What if your idea is bigger than what you can do right now? You want to improve education in your village, but you don't have funding, a large team, an office or a ten-year plan. Does that mean you are not ready to start?

Not necessarily. Many ventures, including well-known social enterprises, did not begin with a detailed business plan. They began with something much smaller — a personal experience, an observation, a few people, a little money, or simply a strong desire to do something about a problem. The size of your first action does not determine the size of your eventual ambition. In fact, starting small can make a big ambition more realistic.

— Jaseel C. K., Co-Founder, The Ignite Foundation

TESTIMONIAL

— Roshna K, Programme Manager, on the Onam celebration at Changemakers Ashram

IMPACT STORY

Mental health support for unorganised working women

Muthalamada Panchayat is home to many women working in the unorganised sector — agriculture, construction, coconut mills, tailoring and pencil manufacturing — where employment insecurity, financial difficulty and family responsibilities weigh heavily.

SST 9 alumna Maheswari organised a mental health awareness and stress-management session for these women with a certified counsellor. Participants learned about anxiety and stress, practised breathing exercises, and received information about nearby mental health services.

Following the session, Maheswari created a WhatsApp community connecting the women with counsellors, social workers and psychologists — continuing support well beyond the initial intervention. Supported by the SST Community Action Seed Fund and mentorship.

REFLECTION · IJAS H., CO-FOUNDER

We need more of us in these rooms

Representing The Ignite Foundation as an accredited observer organisation gave us the chance to experience global climate policy conversations from inside the room — plenary sessions, civil society spaces, and sharing our work on hyper-local land restoration and social innovation.

India has the world's largest youth population, and young people and grassroots organisations are already working on climate change, land degradation and livelihoods. Yet many of these voices remain absent from global policy spaces. To young changemakers and organisations in India: don't self-reject. Apply. Participate. Share your work. Claim your space.

COMING UP NEXT MONTH

— Updates from the Social Impact Collective — a cooperative of changemakers from our alumni network
— Learning Camp and AI+ Camp by Ignite alumni
— Pragya Rise experiential learning camp at Changemakers Ashram
— Updates from the Winter School on Social Entrepreneurship
— Changemakers Residency at Changemakers Ashram

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