In recent years, the number of policy shifts that have taken place in India especially on the environmental front is quite alarming when looked at from the perspective of the natural resource-dependent communities. The latest being the Indian Marine Fisheries Bill 2021. In this context, it is essential that the information for the fish workers regarding their livelihood and the cost to the environment needs to be percolated to the ground. This makes it essential to build a support group which will be informed, aimed at assisting the fishworker organizations in building up perspectives, shoulder to shoulder in addressing the issues of the coast, environment and livelihood through an engagement with the research and policy matters related to the coast and environment.
What is Youth for the coast?
Youth for the Coast hosted its first national workshop as a six-days training programme in Goa which was attended by 22 youngsters from various fields who work or are keen to work on various aspects of the ocean and coast in India.
The second workshop was held in Tamil Nadu – Puducherry which was attended by mid-career practitioners/ activists to develop their understanding of ocean and coastal issues and extend solidarity and support to people’s movements and organisations. This was the regional workshops for young activists based out of Tamil Nadu or people who are keen on working in Tamil Nadu.
We held a national workshop in West Bengal – Kolkata which was attended by 19 youth and mid-career practitioners and another national workshop in Kerala which was attended by 18 youth from various backgrounds who immersed themselves in learning about the ocean, coastal communities and policies.
Objectives:
- To create a fundamental understanding of ocean and coast as an ecological system that supports livelihoods of people engaged in the small-scale fisheries sector.
- To develop an understanding of how the dynamics between ecology, socio-economic and socio-political aspects of the ocean and coast are linked.
- To introduce basic history of fisheries development in India and the narrative of struggle from people’s movements to contextualise discussions on present challenges focussing on Maharashtra.
- To give an overview of how law, policy, and governance of the ocean and coast are structured and are changing under the Blue Economy
- To collate and expand on the coastal issues specific to Maharashtra and understand the history and working of coastal movements in Maharashtra
Programme
After the four workshops on Youth for the Coast at Goa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala, the fifth phase of Youth for the Coast will be a five-day regional residential course for the selected participants from Maharashtra or who work within Maharashtra that will equip them with information and resources that confront the complex socio-ecology of land and water. During this course participants will also engage in peer-to-peer learning, participate in field visits, engage with community leaders, academics and activists currently working on coastal issues to create their own chosen project/intervention they would like to design and implement. The participants will also be introduced to movements/organizations, working with the coastal communities to facilitate understanding of fishworkers regarding the policy shifts happening in their areas which will help them respond at the local, regional and national level.
Who can apply
Fishworkers, youth from coastal communities, researchers, media practitioners, interested in engaging with the issues of coast, primarily from the nine coastal states from Maharashtra or who intend to work on issues on Maharashtra.
Age limit: 22-35 years
Language: Primarily English and Marathi
Dates:
Day of Arrival – 27th October 2022 by 6 PM
Programme Days – 28th October 2022 – 1st November 2022
Day of Departure – 1st November 2022 by 6 PM
Travel: We request participants to make their arrangements via train (sleeper/third AC)/bus. Travel expenses of up to a maximum of INR 3000 upon submission of original bills/tickets will be reimbursed.
Venue: Maharashtra
How to apply:
To apply for the Youth for the Coast programme, kindly fill in this application form: https://tinyurl.com/Y4CoastRegional
Last date to apply: 14th October 2022 by 5 PM
Contact: Write to [email protected] / [email protected] for any queries regarding the programme.