Grinnell College Announces 2024 Projects for Peace Grantee: Ekta Shaikh ’24

Grinnell College is proud to announce the 2024 recipient of the Projects for Peace grant. An outstanding Grinnell student project has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant to support its implementation through the Projects for Peace headquarters, hosted by Middlebury College’s Center for Community Engagement. 

This year the distinguished recipient is Grinnell College Student Ekta Shaikh ’24, whose collaborative project promises to make a significant impact with the transgender community in Karachi, Pakistan. Shaikh’s proposal stood out for its innovative approach to community development and resilience-building initiatives. 

Shaikh’s project entails collaborating with a non-profit organization by and for the transgender community in Karachi. The summer initiative is a pioneering effort aimed at fostering community empowerment through various means, including dance, mental health, and media workshops. Additionally, the project aims to establish a community room to provide emergency housing options for vulnerable community members. 

Projects for Peace is a global program designed to empower young adults to spearhead transformative initiatives addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By fostering innovative solutions and nurturing a spirit of community engagement, Projects for Peace aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders committed to promoting peace and social progress. 

Shaikh shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to embark on this collaborative journey. Through this project, I hope to contribute to the resilience and well-being of the community, while also exploring models of community care work.”