Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, India

05/05/2026

✊𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲🛠
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮: 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀
🚩Shaik Salauddin, Co-founder and National General Secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) & Founding President of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), explained that although Indian government has enacted the Code on Social Security in 2020, implementation began moving forward only in 2026 with the notification of draft rules. The code is significant as it introduces provisions for gig and platform workers for the first time in India.
📇Alongside central efforts on social security schemes, five states - Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Telangana, are advancing their own legislation, with Telangana’s cabinet approving a bill pending formal enactment. This is possible because labour is a subject of the concurrent list of the Indian Constitution, which means, both the central and state can formulate laws.
⚖While the central government focuses on social security schemes, states are taking legislative action on worker protections, including data transparency and grievance systems. Worker unions, including IFAT and TGPWU, with which Shaik is associated, continue advocating for stronger social protection and fair wages for platform workers.

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📽 Credit: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, India

In Solidarity with ✊

04/05/2026

At the beginning of this year, India signed what has been described as the “mother of all trade deals,” marking a decisive shift from ambition to action in its engagement with Europe. Yet the real test will lie in implementing such an ambitious and far-reaching agreement, argues our Country Director, Christoph Mohr, in the April edition of India’s World. https://indiasworld.in/europe-and-india-the-architecture-is-there-now-comes-the-hard-part/

30/04/2026

🚀From the power-packed Comms team! 💥

The Regional Communications Training in Bangkok, brought together colleagues from 13 countries across Asia-Pacific and Central Asia for building stronger connections with people to drive meaningful social justice impact across diverse communities. 🤝🌍

16/04/2026

A high-level roundtable on Generative AI and the Future of Creative Industries in India was held in Mumbai - ideas met action at the intersection of creativity and AI.

The roundtable was jointly organized by Digital Futures Lab (DFL), Filmism, Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung, and INDICC Associates on 19 March 2026.

The launch of report “Putting Workers First: Anticipating the Impact of Generative AI on the Creative Industry in India” prepared by DFL, anchored the discussion,highlighting how AI is transforming creative work and why inclusive, forward-looking policies are essential to safeguard creators. The report maps out future scenarios for India's creative economy in the age of generative AI, from opportunity to risk and from adaptation to resistance.

The roundtable brought together leading voices and professionals from the film industry, creative worker organisations, the technology sector, academia and policy makers on what these futures mean for the people who form the creative economy in India.

Here is the link to the publication: https://www.digitalfutureslab.in/publications/putting-workers-first-anticipating-the-impact-of-generative-ai-on-the-creative-industry-in-india
Do download and send us your feedback.

As AI rapidly reshapes India’s creative industries, decisions are being made amid limited evidence and fast-changing tools. This report offers a foresight lens to navigate uncertainty and ensure workers’ rights and equity are not left behind.

15/04/2026

The FES Gender Justice Competence Centre Asia Pacific in collaboration with United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and FES Asia-Pacific, are thrilled to invite you to the launch of a new study "Advancing Feminist Principles in the Asia-Pacific through International Policy".

Event Details:
📅 Date: Friday, 17 April 2026
🕒 Time: 16:30 (Kathmandu) | 16:15 (New Delhi) |
💻 Platform: Zoom
🗣 Language: English
Join us in the dialogue. Register here: 🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/.../register/RaasA1tLSu25LptEpvXV3Q

The FES Gender Justice Competence Centre Asia Pacific in collaboration with United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and FES Asia-Pacific, we are thrilled to invite you to the launch of our new study "Advancing Feminist Principles in the Asia-Pacific through International Policy".

Authored by Ammar A. Malik and Noor Un Nisa, this study explores feminist principles and how they have been integrated into international policies across the region. The launch will feature an Expert Dialogue to discuss the findings and their implications for gender transformative international policies.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Friday, 17 April 2026

🕒 Time: 16:30 (Kathmandu) | 17:45 (Bangkok) | 11:45 (CEST)

💻 Platform: Zoom

🗣 Language: English

Join us in the dialogue. Register here: 🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RaasA1tLSu25LptEpvXV3Q

14/04/2026

March in Mumbai! Youth voices took center stage in shaping the future of urban climate policy.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) convened the Urban Youth Climate Policy Conclave, in collaboration with , and Project Mumbai as a Spoke Event to the recently held Mumbai Climate Week - bringing together young changemakers, policymakers, and sector experts.

The dialogue focused on transitioning youth from passive stakeholders to active co-creators of urban climate policy - addressing challenges of urban resilience, energy transition, circular economy, natural ecosystems, urban biodiversity, mobility and sustainable futures in Maharashtra.

The convening facilitated discussion on inclusion, diversity and quality of life in the context of climate change, and ensured qualitative conversation through active participation. The convening was attended by persons with disabilities, and youth coming from diverse socio-economic, political and cultural background.

Later in the day, a focused group discussion was organized to create meaningful and result-oriented dialogue between the participants and Corporators from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with exchange on visions, challenges, approaches and ideas from both sides.
It was encouraging to see the openness and willingness from these stakeholders, in collaborating and co-creating solutions for urban climate crisis.

13/04/2026

* Paper Launch *

The conversation on climate moved beyond sustainability - to justice, equity, and the right to the city ...

At the Press Club of India, we launched our latest publication “Climate Justice in Action: Framework for Equitable Climate Action in Cities” authored by Tikender Pawar, an urban scholar and former Deputy Mayor of Shimla city, sparking a powerful dialogue on how cities can respond to climate crisis while addressing inequality.

From breaking institutional silos to centering community voices, the discussion reimagined urban climate action as not just a policy challenge, but a democratic imperative.

Experts, on the panel and in the audience, deliberated on inclusion as a vision for the city, the labour conundrum, gender justice as part of climate justice and, the burden of carrying vulnerabilities and risks in the new age cities. We hope to continue this discussion in different formats in different parts of the country, to create a shared vision for cities that are not only resilient but fair, inclusive, and future-ready.

Here is the link to the publication:
https://collections.fes.de/publikationen/download/pdf/1954675



Anurag Shanker
Mandvi Kulshreshtha
Shahnaz Rafique

30/03/2026

Join our Zoom webinar!

Explore how AI is shaping platform work, where the gaps are and how we can build fairer systems.

Regional Future of Work Conference: Digitalisation without informalisation? Rethinking a fairer platform economy

🗓 7–8 April 2026

🌐 Open to everyone via Zoom webinar
Register here: https://www.fes.de/lnk/fowapr2026

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Webinar time:

7 April 2026 (Day 1): 13.30 - 16.00 (GMT+7)

8 April 2026 (Day 2): 11.00 - 12.30 and 13.30 - 17.00 (GMT+7)

Programme in the comments 👇

25/03/2026

Applications are now closed!

📢 Call for Application | Advisor – Geopolitics & Geo-economics in Asia

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India is looking for a highly motivated and analytically strong Advisor for Geopolitics and Geo-economics in Asia to join our team in New Delhi.

This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with critical geopolitical and geo-economic developments shaping Asia and contribute to policy dialogue, research, and regional cooperation initiatives.

📍 Location: New Delhi, India
📅 Start Date: April/May 2026
⏳ Contract Duration: 24 months (initially limited)

If you are passionate about international relations, regional dynamics in Asia, and policy-oriented work, we encourage you to apply.

🔗 More details & application: https://india.fes.de/e/call-for-applications-advisor-geopolitics-geo-economics-in-asia.html

Please feel free to share this opportunity with your networks.

17/03/2026

Christoph Mohr, Country Director of FES India, had the opportunity to visit and take a look at the working conditions as well as engage in discussions around future of work at the Siemens plant in Mumbai.

11/03/2026

🌍 India-EU Strategic Dialogue Raisina Dialogue 2026

The Observer Research Foundation(ORF), in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India, convened a Track 1.5 Dialogue on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2026, bringing together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and experts.

🤝🌐 The discussions explored pathways to strengthen India-EU cooperation in defence, emerging technologies, climate, and space security, particularly as momentum builds around the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).