LEAD ignites the latent talent of youth to come up with creative solutions. LEAD is an incubator where innovation meets implementation, knowledge meets experience, social issues meet solutions and efforts meet impact. The idea that one has or the plan to execute your initiative in resolving the problems in the society could be executed as an individual or with the help a team which will enhance your leadership skills by taking up the initiatives like – Team Work, Convincing ability, Decision Making, Problem solving attitude, Utilizing the resources and much more.

The LEaders Accelerating Development (LEAD) is a program under Deshpande Foundation, Hubballi, Karnataka, that strives to build problem-solving, innovative minds and entrepreneurial aptitude among university students. This is done by exposing the students to ongoing social issues that the society faces and also conditioning several development programs such as LEAD LEADership camp, LEAD Prayana, LEAD Talaash, LEAD leadership challenge etc. LEAD's mission is simple and impactful: have students take up issues of concern and implement solutions in a stipulated time frame. LEAD is an incubator where innovation meets implementation, knowledge meets experience, social issues meet solutions and efforts meet impact.

Joining LEAD is the easiest part but the most exciting journey starts after joining LEAD. You will be assigned to leadership initiatives (projects) with other LEADers overlooked by master LEADers or the respective Programme Managers. Initially, you will be skilled to manage your college and personal works with LEAD works, making sure they don't disturb each other. With the experience of the initial projects, you will soon develop initiative skills and will start projects on your own with your own team. Every step you climb under LEAD is a big one leading to many rewards.

Step 1: Give a miss call on: +91- 08047091456
Step 2: You will receive a message with the lead id
Step 3: After receiving lead id, login at www.leadcampus.org with registered mobile no and lead id/ download the LEAD app from the play store and login with the LEAD Id and the mobile Number
Step 4: Edit your profile with details
Step 5: Propose your ideas under project proposal
Step 6: You will get a call regarding your ideas/initiative

A college going passionate youth (12+ class) in the age of 18-26 can join lead. Desire to hone leadership skills and to bring a change in the surrounding is the minimum eligibility required to join lead.

I. If lead cell does not exist in your college/city: to become a member of lead, call to: 08047091456 from your phone. Step-wise instructions will be sent to your phone to become a member of lead.
II. If lead cell exists in your college/city: connect with the local in-charge person and make the registration with her/him. For assistance can contact at helpline number: +91 968-665-4748.

Leadership initiatives (or commonly known as projects) are works that include but are not limited to development in, environmental, social, and humanitarian issues. Through projects, you can work to promote a social change on a broad or local scale. Projects are extremely concentrated on its benefits to the society and also the self-development of the leader.

LEAD undertakes several programs for the development of the youth. They are: LEAD Orientation program, LEAD leadership Camp, LEAD Prayana, LEAD Talaash, Yuva summit and LEAD leadership challenge. Each of these programs is specific to certain objectives. The information and how to join each program can be found on THE LEAD website.

A college student who decides to solve a social problem or takes own initiative, forms a team of her/his own and works to solve the problem. After completion of the initiative / execution of the solution the initiator of the idea is recognized as a leader.

Any solution of an existing problem which needs attention and can be solved with hard/smart work and team activity is a leadership project.

A team should consist from 2 person to maximum 10 (depends on the leadership project).

To successfully complete the projects of lead, one needs solution making approach, leadership skills like handling a team, networking and good communication skills and after solving the problem, thus they are called leadership projects.

Any kind of outcome concerned project that aims to solve a problem and benefit the community on a whole can be done by the students. It can range from any sector health, education, agriculture, livelihood, natural resources, environment, technology, etc.

Your leadership skills will be honed. It will provide an exposure to social problems and approach to be taken to solve them. It will increase your network and will introduce to the world of leadership and entrepreneurship. It brings a self-recognition among the peers. In the long run, gained inherent leadership skills help student to grow confidently in their own field of interest.

Lead is a program initiated under the Deshpande Foundation. Deshpande Foundation works to create an effective ecosystem where resources are put to use through entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability. So through lead program, we aim to nurture the leadership qualities among youth so that in the long run each individual becomes capable of creating a sustainable environment in their own field.

Lead works with college students and colleges. Any institute willing to promote leadership initiatives among the students and wants to become a partner with lead, then, the institution can approach lead.

A. More than just leadership skills
In LEAD, as a part of a team, you will not only gain leadership skills but also get a chance to employ them too. You will learn to motivate people and also learn how to cope up with pressure.

B. Better Networking
In LEAD, you get a chance to build your network with motivational and influential people and bigger companies. It gives you a chance to know people with same goals as you and gain a chance to associate with them.

C. Professional development
Joining LEAD is like an investment in your future. You will develop professional skills to meet the demands of the role and of the organization.

D. Societal contribution Your active work with LEAD will help you to make a positive contribution to the growth and development of the society. You can work for the cause you are most passionate about.

E. CV/Resume
The skills that you gained from working with LEAD can form a significant part of your CV/Resume. This experience will make your application stand out amongst your peers. You can impress your employer with your polished skills.

F. Broader
Working with LEAD will broaden your perspective. It will cause an impact on the way you pursue your objectives and make decisions. Working with LEAD makes a positive impact on your life.
G. Cultural Understanding

In LEAD, you will learn and experience working with people of different cultures. It will also increase your ability to adapt to different cultural demands and behavioral expectations. This will also impact your ability to handle sensitive situations.

H. Be a role model yourself
Every work you do with LEAD counts. Your significant works will make a pathway for the upcoming LEADers and you can become a role model for them.

I. Making life better
In LEAD, your work will be making a significant contribution towards a better tomorrow. It will bring a sense of satisfaction and self-motivation to do more.

J. Your ideas into action
In LEAD, every idea you have is appreciated, looked upon, skilled and brought into action. You can be the one to churn your ideas into action with the other LEADers.

A 10 days camp which is conducted with an aim to build strong leadership qualities among youth through practical exposure to array of subjects, site visits and guest speaker sessions.

It is conducted in Hubballi and Nizamabad

Visit the link and download the application. Fill in the application in detail and send with attachment to lead@dfmail.org. Link www.leadcampus.org/LLP or Contact LEAD location manager of your location. They will guide you through the process or write an email to lead@dfmail.org to get the application.

It is conducted during college vacations.

LEADers as well as non-LEADers (12th / Degree / Diploma / Post Graduate students) between the ages of 18-26 are welcome to apply. The applicant should be enthusiastic, intention of developing leadership skills and or should have demonstrated leadership skills in the past.

The total fees of the camp is 5100, the scholarship is given to the students who meet the set criteria.

Is a two weeks annual leadership journey for youth aged between 18-26 hosted in three states which begins from Belagavi of Karnataka, Hyderabad of Telangana and Varanasi (Kashi) of Uttar Pradesh. The journey of each state meets up for a leadership and cultural exchange and creates a hub of networking, called "Manthan" (sharing) at Hubballi Karnataka. With the aim of "unleash your leadership potential", join us for a memorable 1800km journey (Uttar Pradesh 5000kms) a lifetime. Two week fun-filled days you will get to meet and hear from more than 10 inspiring role models to know their journey of success, visit more than 8 destinations to understand the culture and difference in what they are doing, take part in panel sessions with the high experienced delegates, explore more than 12 unique organizations, institutions, MNC's and industries along with the other Prayanees to share your hands-on experiential learning and building entrepreneurial and leadership mindset.

Travel... Explore... Interact... Fun... Networking... Team building... Workshops... Sharing... Selfie... Hands-on activities... Juguja... Transform... Change... Experience... Unique moments in a journey of a lifetime.

Anyone over 18 years and below 26 years of age can apply for the Prayana.

Selections are not fully based on educational qualifications, rather it is the abilities, passion, creativity, leadership, motivation, and values of the candidate which matters the most. We consider the candidates based on the' ability to think creatively, their understanding of problems solving mind-set, and the approach with commitment in taking initiatives.

We have shortlisted 8+ destinations for every Prayana. At every destination, you will get to meet 1 or 2 role models, altogether 15+ role models in the overall journey.

A few of the role models the Prayana had in the past – Ratan Tata (Chairman, Tata Group) Narayan Murthy (Founder Infosys) Dr. Veerendra Heggade (Darmadikari of Darmastala, Kailash Satyarthi (Nobel Lorient), Dr. Devi Shetty (Chairman and Founder of Narayana Health), Mr. Kishor Biyani (Founder and CEO Future groups, Anshu Gupta (Goonj, Delhi), The final list of the next Prayana will be updated on our website in December.

Arrangements are made at every destination separately for male and females. The Prayanees will get to experience the different types of accommodation which will enhance, realize and draw each one closer to life.

This is the time when the greatest interaction and learning takes place. Fantastic conversations, debates, sharing of each one’s life journey, showcasing talents, games and much more.

Various groups into which participants are divided come together and work on the activities. This is also the time to socialize/network and get to know each other and have fun during Prayana. One can be as creative as you can!

Once the selection is done an email will sent with the etiquette and the details of reporting. Arrangements are made in the respective destinations. The taste and the food vary from place to place which helps the Prayanees to understand the wide culture and supports each one in accommodating themselves with varieties of cuisines.

We aim at having 50% women participants. Over the past lead Prayana we had around 35% to 50% women candidates.

Remember, you are one among almost 35% to 50% like-minded women from various parts of our country. Other than participants, we have women volunteers and team members on the journey as well. We can connect your parents with parents of past female Prayanees if you wish.

Our vision is to inspire young, the small towns and villages of India. Empowered women bring prosperity to their communities. We have had women candidates from semi-urban and rural, for the past lead Prayana’s. These female Prayanees were not necessarily highly qualified or very comfortable with English but had the desire to learn and to be the change.

Our experience shows that they made the most out of the experiences and learnings from the Prayana. Some of our female Prayanees belonging to non-urban regions have even taken lots of social initiative on their own and have successfully solved few problems in the society.

We value and appreciate the participation of your parents. You can speak to them anytime possible. You can also ask them to join us for the inauguration ceremony or for Yuva summit in Hubballi.

We will be carrying a basic medical kit during the course of travel, and medical assistance will be made available during visits. However, all participants are required to carry their prescribed personal medicines with themselves.

You must inform the organizers if you take any medication or have a pre-existing medical condition, prior to the start of Prayana.

Arrangements are made in the respective destination. The taste and the food vary from place to place which helps the prayanees to understand the wide culture and supports each one in accommodating themselves with varieties of cuisines.

No, there are no charges for applying. The relevant lead Prayana fees are applicable only if you’re selected.

Yes, the applicant has to submit the application online.

You can write to leadprayana@dfmail.org

The application consists of a general question and a few small brief essay types. It is a subjective evaluation of potential within a candidate by a selection panel. Random interviews and reference checks are also conducted to ascertain the veracity of candidature it's usually done through the telephonic interview.

A selected participant will be sent the selection email and once the confirmation fees received then the confirmation email will be sent to the participant.

Submitted applications are first evaluated by our panel after which a telephonic interview is scheduled. High scoring candidates are selected and informed by email.

Meanwhile, the students with the average scores are kept on hold, which will be reviewed later for the second chance, once after we stop accepting the applications.

Unsuccessful (rejected) participants are informed via email.

Selected participants are required to pay participation fee in the form of DD. Confirmation fee should be paid immediately after the selection and the remaining fees before the last date as per selection email sent to you, in favour of "Deshpande Foundation" payable at Hubballi (Karnataka), or in cash to our address given in website or the regional centres at Belagavi, Davangere, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Hyderabad and Varanasi.

You should select the payment option carefully. We offer sponsorships to candidates who come from weak financial backgrounds or student under the lead program who have a very good performance in taking up the initiatives. Those who opt for sponsorships have to produce an authentic income proof document. Please note that sponsorships through lead Prayana are limited which will be given to the most deserving candidates. We urge all selected Prayanees with the financial problems to look for the alternative sources of sponsorship for which we can provide the letter of selection if needed.

The sponsorships are available only for Indian candidates and lead leaders.

The appreciating, awarding and networking event in every LEAD location of young LEADers is LEAD Valedictory.

Event is held at the end of the LEAD year i.e. somewhere in the month of March and April.

The innovative projects of the academic year are identified, showcased and awarded during Valedictory ceremony. Here the LEADers meet up to appreciate their self and others to boost their will power for betterment on society. LEAdership story sharing also happens where LEADers narrate the story of their journey to overcoming the obstacles and realizing their dream. LEAD Valedictory is held at various locations of LEAD

YS is an international event where leaders from all over India get a chance to meet role models and leaders with best projects showcased and nominated for awards whereas in Valedictory students are promoted and also awarded in the particular lead region. In valedictory students get chance to arrange the event, they get an exposure to manage the events.

All the deserving leaders who have initiated the impactful projects will be awarded during the event depending upon the parameters of the Leadership/Creativity/innovative Approach/Impact.

LEADers are meant to take new responsibilities to make difference. Selected Leaders are selected, interviewed and promoted as Master LEADers and master LEADers are promoted as Ambassadors.

The deserving leaders who have proven themselves with the leadership qualities in taking up the initiatives or in volunteering the team or the lead activities will be promoted as a LEader.