ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.

UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT SALONI DHARMESH SHAH, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
Christ (Deemed To Be University) Yeshwanthpur Campus | Bengaluru, India | Advancing SDG 8 & UNAI 2

" I believe that small, intentional actions can spark lasting change. The Millennium Fellowship excites me because it offers a platform to transform ideas into impact while learning from a diverse, passionate community of change makers. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Jagruti
Project Jagruti is a social impact initiative aimed at empowering rural and underprivileged women by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to achieve financial independence. Rooted in SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, the project recognizes that while many women work tirelessly to support their families, they often lack access to structured financial education and practical skill-building opportunities. The project seeks to bridge this gap through hands-on technical skill training and comprehensive financial literacy.
The idea for Jagruti arose from observing the lives of domestic workers, street vendors, and small-scale workers in our communities—women who manage households and contribute immensely to the local economy, yet remain financially vulnerable. Our initiative aims to change this narrative by enabling them not just to earn, but to manage their income wisely, save consistently, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
As part of our cohort efforts, we engaged directly with women in and around our homes and localities, building trust through personal conversations. Our sessions covered essential topics such as recording daily expenses, setting aside savings, understanding the importance of budgeting, and using digital payment platforms like UPI confidently. We also introduced concepts like bank account opening, fixed deposits (FDs), and systematic investment plans (SIPs), helping demystify the financial systems that often seem inaccessible.
The project's long-term vision is to support skill development and financial growth. By fostering awareness, enabling access, and encouraging self-reliance, the project hopes to create a cycle of empowerment where women uplift not only themselves but their families and communities as well. At its core, Jagruti is an effort to spark opportunity, independence, and lasting change.
About the Millennium Fellow
Saloni Shah is a dual-degree undergraduate student in Psychology and Economics, passionate about mental health advocacy, community development, and youth empowerment. With a vision to combine psychological insights with social impact, she actively engages in initiatives that foster well-being, equity, and sustainable change. Saloni aims to leverage her skills in research, communication, and leadership to create inclusive spaces that inspire growth and resilience.










