A young Kashmiri lawyer has been selected for the esteemed beVisioneers Fellowship, a global program launched by Mercedes-Benz to empower youth-led environmental innovation.
Umar Masoodi who recently graduated from University of Kashmir’s Law department and then joined Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court will now join a global cohort of changemakers for the 2025 fellowship.
Umar shared his earliest memories of growing up in a modest home on the outskirts of Srinagar and said that his first exposure to sustainability came not from textbooks but from the quiet, consistent actions of his parents. “As a child I learned the basics of sustainability at my home in small things from my mother turning a concrete terrace into a small garden to my father being mindful of environment in everyday lives”.
When asked about the limited spaces in Kashmir for youth to flourish other than in traditional academic settings, he said: “Here in the valley we grow up with limited exposure to global networks, resources, and mentorship despite having the potential to do tremendous good work and compete on global platforms. But when you work hard new avenues open up. I find fellowships like beVisioneers a powerful platform to shift the narrative for young people”.
“These fellowships don’t just fund projects but they also fuel hope for a better future and better opportunities” he further added. The beVisioneers focuses on specific sustainability zones, for example, food waste or clean water. The beVisioneers Fellowship provides fellows with comprehensive support to bring their environmental projects to life. Under this fellowship he will receive full funding for travel, accommodation, and international training sessions, along with a €700 infrastructure grant and a monthly €120 stipend.
This programme also offers one-on-one mentorship, leadership development training, and access to a global community of sustainability innovators.
“Under this programme I will launch the “Spring Rejuvenation Program” which will include the cleaning of water resources, water conservation campaigns, and community-based environmental education” said Umar
This opportunity comes in acknowledgment of his previous work in social work and education in Kashmir, particularly through his “Taleem Initiative”—an educational and sustainability-focused programme aimed at cultivating civic awareness and environmental responsibility.
