YIF Experiential Learning Module

Experiential Learning Module

The Experiential Learning Module (ELM) is a core and compulsory part of the YIF. It contributes to 6 credits. Fellows typically work in teams of four with the knowledge, skills, and reflective capacities to engage with complex and pertinent challenges through immersive experiences and sustained, collaborative partnerships.

The vision of the ELM is to cultivate a learning environment where Fellows are encouraged to explore and innovate through sustained community involvement, anchored in reflection, critical inquiry, and thoughtful engagement—fostering deep understanding of self, society, and systems.

The ELM sets the following learning objectives for the Fellows:

ELM Stakeholders

Partner Organisation (PO) 

ELM projects are sourced from a range of organisations—including for-profits, non-profits, government bodies, start-ups, research and educational institutions, think-tanks, and ministries—which then serve as the “Partner Organisation” for the ELM team. The PO is the one who shares a project objective for an ELM team to work on while engaging, guiding and supervising the team’s work. Two representatives from the organisation regularly guide and touch base with the ELM team as well as the YIF Internal Team.

 

YIF Internal Team

It consists of the ELM Supervising Faculty (Mr. Srikant Sastri) and members of the YIF Team. This is the team that oversees the trajectory of all ELM projects and serves as the sole point of contact from the Programme end for all aspects of the ELM for the Partner organisation and ELM teams. They oversee the design, administration and execution of the ELM. They also support, coach, and evaluate the ELM team and project.

 

ELM Team

Each ELM team comprises four diverse Fellows who come together based on complementary skills, similar interests and project preferences. They work directly with a PO to address a problem statement proposed by the PO in a structured manner to design a sustainable solution. The aim is to deliver value while engaging deeply in the process of learning. They work every Friday and some Saturdays during their ELM tenure from January 16 to May 29, 2026.

ELM Structure and Timeline

The first half of the YIF is dedicated to building a strong interdisciplinary foundation through academic coursework, alongside the Learning and Engagement module, which equips Fellows with essential skills for meaningful field engagement. During this phase, Fellows cultivate self-awareness, ethical and inclusive leadership, and a nuanced understanding of power, privilege, and social responsibility.

Active project work for the ELM runs from mid-January to early June 2026. Preparatory activities—including orientation, skill-building sessions, and initial planning—begin earlier in the academic year.

For the aforementioned period, specific days each week are designated as ELM Days, which makes a total of ~40 days. These are reserved for project-related work unless communicated otherwise. For detailed days, please reach out to the YIF team for the calendar.

Throughout the ELM, the YIF Internal team also conducts foundational workshops in problem solving, research, etc, alongside Office hours to support all ELM teams. 

Categories of ELM Projects

There are two kinds of projects:

External Projects
These are the majority of ELM projects, which are sourced from external organisations and institutions referred to as “Partner Organisations” (POs). Teams work with the problems identified by POs following the ELM lifecycle.

Self–Designed Projects
These projects are designed by the Fellows themselves. Fellows identify a problem significant enough to make an impact and try to design a market-ready solution.

Roadmap for an ELM Project

Each ELM project unfolds through an iterative, collaborative journey that moves across four interconnected phases. These phases are designed to develop Fellows’ capacities for real-world problem solving, stakeholder engagement, and reflective practice.

 

Throughout the lifecycle, Fellows are expected to practice shared ownership, transparent communication, and inclusive decision-making—embracing the complexity of real-world problems with openness, empathy, and adaptability. To view some of the project samples, click here.

ELM Partner Organisations

Through our 15-year history,

2200+ Fellows have worked on 600+ projects with 100+ Partner organisations and institutions.

Some Partners from the past years include:

Partner Testimonials

“The team approached a complex challenge—outside their primary domains of expertise—with intellectual rigour, deep curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose. They conducted extensive research, with each member exploring a specific aspect of the problem space. This collaborative approach led to a synthesis of diverse ideas, resulting in a robust framework aligned with the needs of students, teachers, and broader community stakeholders. Their thoughtful engagement during the immersive weeks and beyond led to rich documentation and stakeholder insights that were meaningfully integrated into the framework design. We also observed their articulation skills and professional competence during the consultations with various stakeholders, including academicians, practitioners, and students. With a proactive mindset and strategic vision, they aligned innovative ideas with stakeholder expectations and added context-specific elements to the framework. This detailed framework, with careful attention to all nuances, is expected to ensure consistent quality in the execution of miniprojects across all 150 engineering colleges in the state, involving approximately 30,000 students per year. They managed timelines efficiently, delivered accountable outcomes, and adapted constructively to feedback. Their ability to synthesise information and transform it into a user-oriented, implementable structure is evidenced in the framework, which is the first of its kind.” PROJECT HEAD, A strategic think-tank advisory to a state government  ELM Batch (2024-25)

“Throughout our journey together, I have witnessed unparalleled dedication and teamwork from each member, and I am immensely proud of the progress we have made. From the outset, it has been a privilege to mentor such a talented group of individuals. When we began, the team had little familiarity with the system. However, through their hard work and determination, they have transformed into a cohesive unit capable of engaging in constructive discussions and devising effective problem-solving strategies. Furthermore, the team demonstrated exceptional initiative by soliciting feedback from their networks and proactively documenting our journey. Their willingness to go above and beyond expectations is truly commendable. Convergence and decentralisation are at the core of our theory of change, and the tool they have designed will enable us to track, create matrices, and outline the way forward for each Gram Panchayat. Achieving this level of sophistication in such a short timeframe speaks volumes about the dedication and commitment of each team member. Today, the team possesses a profound understanding of the PRI system and decentralisation, which they gained through this transformative journey. All of them played to their strengths and continued to learn from each other and, when required, from outside the team as well.” PROJECT LEAD, Organisation working on community, livelihoods and governance  ELM BATCH (2023-24)

Contact us

For any queries, write to us on yif.elm@ashoka.edu.in

The details provided here are subject to change at the Programme’s discretion. Any necessary updates will be communicated to the YIF Class of 2027 after enrolment.