Registrations for Diversity Shala 2026 are now OPEN! |
Diversity Shala 2026
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Diversity Shala is a 10-month experiential learning programme that aims to build capacity for diversity, equity, and belonging within educational spaces and communities. Rooted in the philosophy and framework of the National SEED Project (USA), the programme invites participants to engage in personal reflection, dialogue, and action to nurture harmonious co-existence and collective wellbeing.
Our hope is to create conversational communities that drive change
Kyonki, baat karne se hi, baat banti hai.
10 Months | Peer Learning | Reflection | Action
Why Diversity Shala?
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Our schools are diverse spaces. Young people from different backgrounds - gender, caste, religion, disability, languages, and others - come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Are we, the educators, leaders, and caregivers, ready to facilitate a thriving learning community for them?
To do this, we must first understand ourselves, the systems we form and operate within, and the experiences of others.
To do this, we must first understand ourselves, the systems we form and operate within, and the experiences of others.
Intentions and objectives
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At Diversity Shala, we invite you to co-create a brave and reflective learning community, where we:
- Explore our identities and social locations (gender, disability, caste, etc).
- Understand how systems of privilege and marginalization operate
- Build language around diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging
- Develop skills for allyship and practices for belonging
- Reflect on how social systems impact educational spaces
- Apply learning directly to our professional contexts
Some questions we will explore together:
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- What story do I tell myself about who I am, and where did that story come from?
- Who gets to make the rules? Who finds things easier, and who faces extra hurdles just because of who they are?
- Is this problem just about one person, or is the whole system designed this way?
- What assumptions do we make about people based on their gender, caste, who they love, or how they speak?
- How do my personal choices connect to the bigger world, and how does the bigger world shape my choices?
- How do these questions impact young people in educational spaces?
Our Learning Approach
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Diversity Shala is highly experiential and participant-centered. Modalities include, but are not limited to:
- Theatre and role play
- Art-based reflection
- Expressive writing
- Pair and small group dialogues
- Large group discussions
- Poetry and storytelling
- Audio-visual resources
- Reflection and action practices
Language of Facilitation
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English and Hindi
Some facilitators may also speak in Marathi, if needed, for 1:1 discussions
Some facilitators may also speak in Marathi, if needed, for 1:1 discussions
Programme Structure
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Duration: 10 months
Session Format: 3-hour facilitated sessions
Days and Time: Saturday (once a month), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Apni Shala Foundation, Kurla (E), Mumbai
Session Format: 3-hour facilitated sessions
Days and Time: Saturday (once a month), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Apni Shala Foundation, Kurla (E), Mumbai
Session Dates
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Term 1:
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Term 2:
Dates for the remaining four sessions in Term 2 will be shared in October 2026. Term 2 sessions will also be on Saturdays.
Dates for the remaining four sessions in Term 2 will be shared in October 2026. Term 2 sessions will also be on Saturdays.
Who is the programme for?
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Diversity Shala welcomes individuals who are committed to creating more inclusive and equitable spaces for students and communities around them. They may be situated in diverse settings such as schools, colleges, community centers, child development centers, etc. You could be:
Participants from diverse roles and functions enrich the learning experience through varied perspectives and lived experiences.
- Educators
- Counsellors
- Social workers
- Parents/caregivers
- School leaders/Principals
- Education officers
- NGO professionals working with children and youth
- Fundraising / Communications professionals working with education orgs
Participants from diverse roles and functions enrich the learning experience through varied perspectives and lived experiences.
Learning Journey
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What we expect from Participants:
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To support meaningful learning and community building, participants are expected to:
- Minimum 90% attendance is required.
- Engage fully in discussions, activities, and reflections.
- Complete pre-work and post-work between sessions.
- Apply learning in their own professional contexts.
- Communicate with facilitators when additional processing or support may be required.
About the facilitators
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Diversity Shala is a peer facilitated personal and professional development programme.
Facilitators are members of the Apni Shala team who have engaged with these themes for the last couple of years and contribute as facilitators, co-facilitators, mentors, and volunteers. Many of us come with lived experiences of these identities and systems. Facilitators are not “experts” situated outside the contexts, but peers in the larger educational ecosystem of our country who are doing the work of nurturing such spaces in their classrooms, curriculum, trainings, and organisational policies.
This peer learning model ensures that learning is collaborative, reflective, and grounded in lived experiences.
Facilitators are members of the Apni Shala team who have engaged with these themes for the last couple of years and contribute as facilitators, co-facilitators, mentors, and volunteers. Many of us come with lived experiences of these identities and systems. Facilitators are not “experts” situated outside the contexts, but peers in the larger educational ecosystem of our country who are doing the work of nurturing such spaces in their classrooms, curriculum, trainings, and organisational policies.
This peer learning model ensures that learning is collaborative, reflective, and grounded in lived experiences.
How to Register?
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We’d love to have you join us! Simply fill out the registration form above to begin the process.
Fee: 22,500/- per participant
Special Offer!
Last date to complete registration: 18th July 2026
Seats are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot. Registrations are non-refundable and non-deferrable/non-transferable.
Fee: 22,500/- per participant
Special Offer!
- Learning is even more meaningful together. If you register as a group of 3 or more participants, each participant receives a 21% discount on the course fee. The discounted fee per participant is ₹17,775 (original fee ₹22,500).
- A limited number of scholarships are available for participants who may require financial support.
- To avail of the group discount and/or apply for a scholarship, please indicate your requirement in the registration form.
- Once we receive your registration, you will receive an email with the next steps to complete your registration through a contribution of ₹22,500/- per participant. (This amount will be revised if you are eligible for a group discount and/or scholarship.)
Last date to complete registration: 18th July 2026
Seats are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot. Registrations are non-refundable and non-deferrable/non-transferable.
Fill out the Registration Form. Click the button below.