Social Innovation
Machik is committed to connecting with and creating global platforms for dynamic Tibetan individuals or groups who are innovative in their approach to meeting social and environmental challenges and who demonstrate an uncommon dedication to making a measurable impact in their communities.
2015 GIF. Chupal Sangpo educating fellow pastoralists in Tibet.
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Machik Global Innovation Fellowship
HIV/AIDS Advocate & Community Health Worker Chupal Sangpo is a pioneering awareness advocate in Tibet. Chupal has successfully taken his public health message to the most remote and underserved regions of Tibet, and has inspired and trained hundreds of young Tibetans to follow in his footsteps. Chupal has also published numerous bilingual health materials and continues to actively engage more than 120,000 followers on social media. Chupal was a Machik Global Fellow in 2015. |
Our Programs
Supporting innovative leadership and service
Global Innovation Fellowship
We provide a global platform for the next generation of innovators in Tibet in conservation, film, public health, disability rights, and so on.
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Machik Community Screenings
Machik Community Screenings (MCS) create opportunities for local communities to co-host screenings and discussions of films by Tibetans from Tibet.
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Global Leap Program
The Global Leap Program (GLP) creates a unique global platform for early-career cultural leaders from Tibet to gain experience, build networks, and share their visions for the future of their communities.
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Machik Fellowship
The Machik Fellowship is awarded to exceptional changemakers from Tibet who work closely with the Machik team over the period of several months, contributing to programs and engaging in aspects of Machik programs that enhance their own ongoing interests. We seek Fellows who are committed to service, defined across many disciplines, inside Tibet.
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From the Archives
Past programs that have supported innovation work in Tibet
Green Houses
In the early years, Machik prioritized the construction of an organic greenhouse to provide nutritious food for the hundreds of students boarding at the Chungba Primary School. Later with the opening of the Chungba Middle School, a second greenhouse was built to support the growing student population. Designed by Pencho Rabgey, these greenhouses exemplify innovation by combining traditional and contemporary materials for a sustainable model.
Motorcycle Training
Machik sponsored the first ever motorcycle repair shop in Litang county. In 2007, two men from the local community were supported to train in motorcycle maintenance. Upon completion of training, they received Machik's assistance in opening their local shop. Today, motorcyclists from both Litang and neighboring Nyarong county rely on a high quality service owned by local people. The shop is located in a part of the school complex and the rental income supports the school as part of a model of long term sustainability. The shop's success spurred the opening of a tea stand next-door and later two more motorcycle shops.
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Khampa Cowgirl Culinary Institute
In the summer of 2007, Rebecca Martin of National Geographic and Bonnie Esposito of REI, volunteered at the Chungba Summer Learning Program. Rebecca and Bonnie taught high altitude baking to the cooking staff of the Chungba Primary School and other community members. They used locally sourced ingredients to make non-traditional baked goods such as apple pie, biscuits, and the Khampa Cowgirl Gojiberry Oatmeal Cookie, created by Rebecca Martin.
Ecotourism Training
Machik created a unique two-week training program in high altitude trekking tourism by partnering with Tiger Mountain trekking company led by highly experienced Sherpa trainers from Nepal. Forty local Tibetans, women and men, from various parts of Kham were trained in trek design, guiding tourists, camp cooking, and mountain first aid. In a short time, participants learned how to bake an apple pie on an open campfire and how to safely transport an immobile patient down a mountain. The training was especially meaningful as it was a rare opportunity for Sherpa people and Tibetans in Tibet to share and learn together.
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