Institute for Sustainable Development and Future Regenerative Systems

, sustainable development and environmental studies. The concept evolved and expanded over time to include research and publications, consulting services and also to sponsor and lead community events promoting environmental conservation, renewable energy, organic farming and sustainable lifestyle choices. ISF was founded by and is an independent affiliate organization of EduCARE India, a registered NGO (1430/2006-05) in India. EduCARE India is an applied research and rural development organization that started in 1994 in rural Punjab, India. EduCARE India has several affiliate programs that specialize in different fields (as mentioned in the Overview section) such as education, empowerment, environmental conservation, microfinance/ micro-empowerment and health. These programs and projects often overlap and some interns work under several program areas. All EduCARE and ISF Outreach projects are run through the on-ground ViKAS Centre facilities. VIKAS in Hindi/Punjabi means development, but this dual acronym also means Village Knowledge, Awareness and Sustainable Development Centre. EduCARE India is in the process of building these facilities for the facilitation of each of the projects and programs. In the future, EduCARE hopse that these centres can be run directly by the village communities that the organization works in, as a platform to help them address some of the social, environmental, educational and health issues in their own communities. Presently, the organization has successfully built and/or opened a REstore shop and village office and an Education and Career Resource Center (ECRC) in conjunction with a local women’s self-help group. A REstore is a multifunctional facility that sells community handicrafts and organic, local and/or sustainable products; it also is a central office location for EduCARE interns to work in and be available to the local community, spreading knowledge and awareness. ISF will be involved in these facilities by offering consultation and training services and facilitating events and educational seminars on location in both the REstore and ECRC. The International Internship Program of ISF is designed to provide selected applicants with rewarding educational and learning experiences, as well as opportunities to contribute to one of several critical work areas in various developmental projects in North India. Our interns will first and foremost aid in and lead in the development of our Outreach programs. The tasks involved will be research, both scholarly and field based, building of community relations in and around local villages in the Dharamshala and Dal Lake areas (Himachal Pradesh), and contribute to building an external resources base by creating linkages with government, non-profit and educational institutes and relevant professionals who can contribute to our Educational Training and Events projects. We will eventually expand these tasks and projects to also take place in our Punjabi centers. While working closely together with local team-members and other international volunteers, ISF interns acquire knowledge and skills in specific areas, work on critical assignments and projects, receive exposure to various professional areas and gain first-hand experience working in a non-profit community and social enterprise setting in India. Interns will receive:
• Course credit (when required)
• Free admission to our short and mid-term Certification Courses (listed under Education and Training in the Overview section)
• Real-world international work experience
• Exposure to Indian culture and living in a developing country
• Professional and academic references