Ibtida (‘the beginning’ in Urdu) is a leadership development program that began in 2002 to support a network of organizations from the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.

In a country as large and diverse as India, local village councils play a key role in ensuring pressing community issues are appropriately considered and that the basic needs of residents are addressed.

The SELF (Sports, Expression, Leadership, and Freedom) Academy is a 15-day residential leadership, knowledge, and skills building academy for girls and young women in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

CREA believes in facilitating connections, networking, knowledge sharing and support for young women leaders in the Global South.