LEAD the change for farmed animals in India
Leaders for Earth and Animal Defence is a 6-week nationwide student leadership program to build a student-led farmed animal advocacy movement!
India’s youth care deeply — but have nowhere to act
Millions of Indian students hold strong values of compassion and ahimsa. Yet when it comes to farmed animals, those values rarely translate into organized action. Here’s why this matters — and why LEAD exists.
UGC Mandates Animal Welfare Societies on Every Campus
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notification making it mandatory for all universities and colleges to establish Animal Welfare Societies (AWS) on campus. LEAD chapters directly fulfil this requirement — giving your institution a structured, nationally recognised AWS framework from Day 1
Building a Student-led Movement
Joining LEAD means you build real advocacy skills, get mentored by experts, and become part of a national movement. By joining the program, you’ll develop values-driven leadership at exactly the right moment in your life, and find yourself at the forefront of one of the most important social justice movements of our time.
Why Students Should Join the LEAD?
Everything you need to lead. LEAD isn’t just a club — it’s a fully supported leadership ecosystem. Here’s what every chapter leader gets access to.
Leadership & Advocacy Training
A structured 6-week curriculum delivered by experienced movement leaders. Each week combines insight-driven assignments to help you understand the problem and find solutions.
Seed Grants for Your Chapter
Selected applicants receive financial grants to fund chapter activities, including awareness drives, film screenings, plant-based food policy campaigns and outreach activities on campus. No need to fundraise from scratch.
Expert Mentorship
1-on-1 guidance and monthly learning sessions with changemakers, animal rights advocates, faculty members, legal experts, and professionals working at the intersection of animals, environment and health.
Ready-Made Campaign Toolkits
Issue-specific guides, outreach templates, social media kits, and localised materials in Indian languages covering India-specific insights — ready to use from Day 1, so you don’t start from zero.
National Student Network
Connect with chapter leaders across 13+ states via dedicated communities, monthly calls, meet-ups, and cross-chapter collaborations. You’re never working alone.
UGC AWS Compliance Framework
LEAD directly helps your college fulfil UGC’s mandatory Animal Welfare Society requirement — with full documentation support, branding, and institutional integration.
Alumni Network & Continuity
Stay connected after graduation. The LEAD alumni community keeps you engaged in the movement and opens doors to advocacy careers, fellowships, and collaborations.
Nationally Coordinated Events
Participate in awareness weeks, plant-based food challenges, documentary screenings, and policy campaigns that are run simultaneously across campuses nationwide.
This isn’t just learning — it’s your launchpad
Running a LEAD chapter is a real leadership experience. You’ll manage a team, plan campaigns, engage institutions, and drive measurable outcomes — all skills that matter deeply in any career.
Beyond the experience, LEAD directly opens doors: through our placement partnerships, mentorship network, and referrals to fellowships and organisations working in animal advocacy, sustainability, law, policy, media, and public health.
Your LEAD Journey
Apply & Get Trained
Structured leadership curriculum, workshops & expert-led sessions
Seed grant, toolkit, mentorship — everything to go live on campus
Launch Your Chapter
Run Campaigns & Events
Hands-on leadership — manage team, events, partners & impact
Placements in animal advocacy, sustainability & policy organisations
Access Fellowships & Internships
Join The Alumni Network
Career mentors, collaborations & lifelong movement membership
Ready to Join?
Be the leader we need to build an Ahimsa-rooted future
Applications for Cohort 2 will open soon. Submit your form of interest.
Our Offices: A/13, Vrajdham, Sayaji Park, Vadodara, Gujarat – 390019 | 218, Suryalok Colony, Mau Road, Khandari, Agra, Uttar Pradesh – 282005
Phone: +91 7073146025
Email: LEAD@reahimsa.org
