PRIA

from Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Founder-President of PRIA and Co-Chair of Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education for the month of August 2026.

Do read on - https://www.pria.org/blog/random-reflections/content/194

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Unnati ICMR-NIREH Bhopal Indian School of Development Management - ISDM Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka Swayam Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs NIRDPR-National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action - YUVA IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute

Are you passionate about building climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities?

🚨 We're Hiring | Senior Programme Officer – Urban

PRIA is looking for a Senior Programme Officer – Urban to join our team in . If you have 5–6 years of experience in , , GIS and spatial analysis, , or , we'd love to hear from you.

In this role, you'll work with government agencies, Urban Local Bodies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and communities to shape evidence-based urban policies and strengthen planning processes across India.

📍 Location: New Delhi (with extensive travel across India)
📄 Contract: Initial 12-month consultancy (extendable based on performance)
💼 Salary: Negotiable based on qualifications and experience

Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter (mentioning their expected joining time) to [email protected] at the earliest.

Read more about the job details -https://pria.org/uploaded_files/pdf_files/1785255220_JD_Senior%20Programme%20Officer_Urban_edited_28072026.pdf

Join us in creating more resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban futures.

"Knowledge grows when it is shared. It transforms societies when it is co-created."

How can universities move beyond producing knowledge to creating meaningful ?

In his latest blog, inspired by the 11th Living Knowledge Conference Research and Solidarity 2026 in Gdańsk, , Dr. Anshuman Karol reflected on the growing importance of Community-Based Participatory Research, , , and global university-community partnerships in addressing today's interconnected challenges—from to social inequality.

Drawing on the work of the Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education, the Knowledge for Change K4C Consortium, and the DECODE Project, the blog explores why the future of higher education lies in co-creating knowledge with communities, not simply producing it.

📖 Read the full blog here:

From Networks to Movements- Why Global University Coalitions are Essential for Advancing Community-Based Participatory Research and Open Science Democracy for all From Networks to Movements- Why Global University Coalitions are Essential for Advancing Community-Based Participatory Research and Open Science

More Than a Meal: Celebrating Through a

Our biannual Participatory Lunch was a wonderful reminder that the best conversations often begin in the kitchen.

Based on the belief that no work is below dignity, this unique tradition brings colleagues together to plan, cook, serve, and enjoy a meal as equals. It encourages us to challenge traditional and recognise that care work and household responsibilities should be shared by everyone.

This year's theme, "European Summer," featured a delicious menu of Caesar Salad, Mango Matcha, Veg & Non-Veg Pasta, Veg Pizza, Chicken/Eggplant Mozzarella, and Tiramisu. Every dish reflected , , and the joy of working together.

The celebrations didn't end with the meal! Fun activities like Crack-the-Phrase, Musical Chairs, and Cone Catastrophe filled the day with laughter, teamwork, and friendly competition.

Participatory Lunch is more than a team-building activity—it's a simple yet meaningful way of promoting gender equality, mutual respect, and shared responsibility at work and at home.

Rajesh Tandon Martha Farrell Foundation Pro Sport Development Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education

from Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Founder-President of PRIA and Co-Chair of Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education for the month of July 2026.

Do read on - https://pria.org/blog/random-reflections/content/193

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Unnati ICMR-NIREH Bhopal Indian School of Development Management - ISDM Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka Swayam Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs NIRDPR-National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action - YUVA IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute

📢 Application Deadline Extended!

The deadline to apply for the 7th Cohort of the Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA) has been extended to 3 July 2026.

The Climate Democracy Accelerator is People Powered's global programme that supports governments and civil society organisations in designing and implementing participatory solutions for climate action.

This year's focus areas:
⚡ Renewable Energy
🌾 Regenerative Agriculture
🤝 Inclusive, community-led decision-making

As the India lead partner, PRIA invites eligible applicants to be part of this exciting opportunity to strengthen climate action through democratic participation.

🗓️ New Application Deadline: 3 July 2026
Don't miss this opportunity—submit your application before the extended deadline!

Know more about the programme -https://www.peoplepowered.org/climate-democracy-accelerator

Apply here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeopCSbl6l8H6pF0lwRxS_JtHSyyMKHQIOU2_FkJ6Zrrl85lg/viewform?pli=1

Climate Democracy Accelerator: Application Form

Reimagining Urban Water Governance | Insights

Urban communities are dynamic, diverse, and constantly evolving. This reality calls for approaches to that are locally grounded, , and responsive to community contexts.

During the dialogue on Reimagining Urban Water Governance, Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Founder-President of PRIA, reflected on the broader lessons emerging from community-led efforts to manage and restore urban .

Two key messages stood out:

🌱 Urban communities are diverse and constantly evolving. Effective participation in urban water governance requires locally grounded approaches that respond to the unique social, cultural, and environmental realities of each community.

🌱 Meaningful participation is built on , community-generated knowledge, and active . Higher education institutions and other knowledge partners can play a vital role in strengthening and collaborative governance.

Building climate-resilient cities requires more than . It requires creating spaces where communities, institutions, and knowledge systems can come together to shape shared solutions.

Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Unnati NIRDPR-National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj National Institute of Urban Affairs

Reimagining Urban Water Governance |

Urban water bodies cannot be sustained through investments alone. Their long-term future depends on how deeply communities connect with and care for them.

During the dialogue on Reimagining Urban Water Governance, Mr. Parag Talankar from SEEDS India, highlighted the importance of rebuilding people's relationship with as a foundation for sustainable .

Two key messages stood out:
🌱 Urban water bodies can be restored only when communities rebuild their relationship with them. Stories, memories, cultural identities, and lived experiences create the emotional that is essential for long-term stewardship and .

🌱 Awareness alone does not lead to action. Meaningful participation emerges when communities are entrusted with clear roles and responsibilities, and when local champions are recognised and supported as catalysts for collective action.

Creating a sense of belonging and responsibility may be just as important as restoring the water body itself.

Rajesh Tandon | National Institute of Urban Affairs | Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education | PHED Rajasthan | People's Institute of Rural Development - PIRD

At PRIA, we believe that learning often emerges through dialogue across different experiences, , and knowledge systems. Such exchanges encourage us to reflect on our own contexts while learning from others.

Recently, we had the opportunity to host Dr. Sara Ladrón de Guevara, a Mexican archaeologist, iconographer, and former Rector of the Universidad Veracruzana, along with her son León Heitler, a doctoral researcher studying the relationship between and politics in Mexico.

The interaction offered valuable insights into the experiences of communities in and sparked rich conversations about higher education, , , and inclusion.

The following are a few key themes that were discussed:

1) Indigenous Peoples in Mexico: Dr. Sara reflected on the significant contributions Indigenous communities have made to Mexico’s cultural heritage while highlighting the ongoing challenges of , , and social they continue to face.

2) Intercultural Universities: These institutions, which serve significant Indigenous populations, seek to make higher education more accessible and relevant by recognising Indigenous , , , and knowledge systems, while strengthening connections between and community life.

3) Language: Dr. Sara emphasised that Indigenous languages are more than tools of communication; they carry histories, memories, cultural meanings, and unique ways of understanding the world. Their loss can result in the disappearance of valuable knowledge and experience.

4) Knowledge, Culture, and Recognition: Participants reflected on how universities recognise certain forms of knowledge while overlooking others, raising questions about whose knowledge is valued and how institutions can become more open to local, community, and Indigenous knowledge traditions.

5) and Higher Education: The Mexican experience offered valuable lessons on community engagement and the role of higher education institutions in strengthening relationships with local communities.

The interaction culminated into a fruitful discussion between Pria India, Martha Farrell Foundation colleagues, Sara and Leon with participants sharing alignments from their personal and professional contexts. The interaction encouraged participants to think about the wider role of higher education in contemporary societies.

The conversation reminded us that inclusion is not only about access. It is also about recognition, respect, and a willingness to learn from different ways of knowing and understanding the world.

We at Pria India, are always glad to have conversations that will make us grow as global citizens!

Rajesh Tandon | Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education | International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) | Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra - SSK Lucknow | CIFAL Victoria | International Science Council

Reimagining Urban Water Governance | Insights

Traditional water bodies continue to play a vital role in supporting groundwater recharge, environmental , and community well-being across cities.

During the dialogue on Reimagining Urban Water Governance, Ms. Garima Rathore from PHED Rajasthan shared practical experiences of engaging communities in the stewardship and management of traditional water systems.

Two key messages stood out:

🌱Traditional water bodies continue to be valuable assets for groundwater recharge, environmental sustainability, and community well-being.

🌱Sustainable water governance begins with community ownership. Strengthening women's participation and leveraging the influence of religious and cultural institutions can transform into a collective .

Protecting urban water resources requires not only technical interventions but also strong and local .

Rajesh Tandon Unesco Chair in CBR & Social Responsibility in Higher Education Unnati International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) NIRDPR-National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj