22 Indian and international postgraduates (i.e. currently in or have completed Masters or PhD) participated in this multi-week summer STEP program. This program is an integral part of the echo network's multi-stakeholder Communities of Practice. In June, 2023 through online interactive discussions, students first learned about key topics and approaches from our network experts working on the ground with topics such as circular bioeconomy, food security and nutrition, food systems, climate action, ecosystem services and preservation, water and sanitation (WASH), OneHealth, ecosystems-based adaptation, and regenerative agriculture, relating to echo network problem statements. In June and July, 2023, Senior Ambassadors performed remote collaborative pilot projects and shared information and expertise among the international consortia mentors and network members (see team below)

In early August, 2023, a 2-week STEP training and networking experience was held in Bengaluru, India. In the process, students were exposed to real-world problems by engaging with the consortia members, key stakeholders, and communities through highly interactive and engaging lectures, field visits, and other activities. The students presented a mid-program analysis of their understanding and ideas to their mentors and our Implementation Partners. At the end of the STEP training, a Network Summit was held with students and consortium members to present pilot project outcomes. As a final presentation at the Network Summit in Bengaluru, the students pitched their ideas/experiences to develop future plans towards our larger outcomes with SAGE Fellows. During the Network Summit, the consortia members and students worked together with project results to develop ideas/strategies/questions on the 4 focus areas. The participants were provided the opportunity to establish collaborations to tackle the outlined projects through long-term collaborations.

As an extension of the program, the Senior Ambassadors also served as peer mentors to the Junior Ambassadors.  In the week before the Summit, the two groups met together and each Junior Ambassador was peer-taught by a Senior Ambassador in his or her area of research. This information was used to co-develop evidence-based talking points that the Junior Ambassadors will learn to take into their communities (see JA summary below).

26 Indian undergraduates from four States participated in this multi-week program. Using a five-step process, this program was designed to leverage the power of trust through our science-based network to empower local “Sustainability Ambassadors'' across India. These student ambassadors learned about, and then raised awareness on sustainability issues in their home communities on the topics of onehealth, regenerative agriculture, ecosystems valuation, and circular economy. At the end of the community activities, local community members will share current concerns they experience regarding these topics, and the ambassadors will respond to those community needs with targeted evidence-based actions provided by scientific experts, companies, and organizations.

The ongoing program consists of a 4-week course + 6-week independent project with communities to plan community action.  `Equal numbers of students were selected from Medha Foundation and VigyanShaala programs, and both programs assisted with course logistics and student selection. Each Junior Ambassador has been mentored by a Senior Ambassador who helped the Junior to understand the Senior's research.  In early August, the mentor teams identified 5 talking points on the issues examined by the Senior Ambassadors relevant to each Junior Ambassador's community.  A 3-week course was then held to train the Junior Ambassadors in listening to communities, employing inclusive and equitable communication techniques, engaging in storytelling and multilingual media, and creating a communications plan. The course was hosted online by VigyanShaala platform.  The echo network facilitated course development with expert instructors (see Advisory Team). In September 2023, after developing a communication plan in collaboration with the expert instructors, students will disseminate the knowledge gained in their 26 home communities across Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Maharashtra, and Telangana.  Students are tasked to convey their talking points effectively and also take back specific community needs identified by community members.    Respective consortia members such as those developed in the Network Summit will then connect with these communities to address their needs. Progress will be monitored by the echo network and the Junior Ambassadors.

The echo network summit, held from August 10-12, 2023, was a series of interactions to develop long-term collaborations regarding India’s sustainable development. It was also an important opportunity to engage with national and international network members within our four focus areas: OneHealth, Regenerative Agriculture, Ecosystem Valuation & Circular Bioeconomy. Attendees had the opportunity to meet both levels of the Sustainability Ambassadors Global Exchange (SAGE) Program, among whom were students from five Danish universities and students from universities in India and around the world.  

The summit hosted individuals from at least 70 different organizations:  42% academic, 38% NGOs, 16% industry and 7% government. The attendees also participated in 11 separate Theory of Change discussions to identify projects for upcoming PhD Fellowships based on previous discussions and student projects. The participants listened to each other's points of view, discovered new ideas, and found new voices to drive several new collaborations. 

Key takeaways:

• key opportunities for tackling issues in our focus areas.

• top project ideas that the echo network can jointly take forward in our Communities of Practice.

• participating consortia members for the echo network’s SAGE PhD Fellows Program to be initiated in 2024.

• discussions on how a collaborative approach towards science and technology can lead to community-based solutions.

1. Flood  and water-related mitigation and preparation strategies for a dengue-free ward

2. Technology-based surveillance and prediction systems for communicable diseases

3. Sustainable solid waste management for a dengue-free ward

4. Digital tools for shifting from conventional to ecosystems-based regenerative agriculture

5. Linking nutrition with food production for localized and sustainable food systems and security

6. Developing an institutional ecosystem for localized agrifood systems

7. Ecosystem stewardship for resilient agricultural communities

8. Framework for valuation of ecosystem services for policymakers

9. Sustainable business strategies for converting crop biomass for agricultural side streams

10. Closing nutrient loops for sustainable plastic packaging

11. Water circularity across the value chain for the textile industry