WISE Leaders Summit 2026

Journey of the Evening

One evening. One room. One Mumbai.

The Summit was envisioned as a space to bring together citizens and institutions that are actively contributing to Mumbai’s future. At a time when cities face increasingly complex social and environmental challenges, meaningful change requires collaboration across communities, sectors and generations. The WISE Leaders Summit was created to recognise those already driving this change while also creating opportunities for dialogue, shared learning and new partnerships that can strengthen civic action across the city.

The Summit featured key moments that reflected different dimensions of civic leadership and participation. It began with the Live Civic Simulation, an immersive experience that enabled participants to step into the roles of different city stakeholders and collaboratively address real urban challenges. This was followed by the WISE Mumbai Awards, celebrating individuals, organisations and localities that are already demonstrating what it means to build a more WISE city. The Summit also marked the graduation of Community Connect Fellowship Cohort 16, recognising a new cohort of emerging civic leaders committed to driving change in their communities. Finally, the launch of the How WISE is Mumbai? civic survey shared insights from the city’s WISE Quotient, offering a citizen-led perspective on Mumbai’s progress towards becoming a more WISE city.

The programme also featured a special performance by The Dharavi Dream Project, celebrating the creativity, talent and aspirations of young people from the community.

Together, these moments created a space for learning, celebration, collaboration and collective action, bringing together diverse voices committed to shaping a more connected, inclusive and sustainable Mumbai.

Naata Shahi: a civic problem-solving simulation

One of the defining experiences of the Summit was Naata Shahi, an immersive civic simulation set in the fictional city of WisePur. Participants stepped into the roles of citizens, government officials, administrators, NGOs, experts, media and youth leaders, each bringing different priorities and responsibilities to the table.

With 165+ citizens, youth and representatives from organisations participating, the room transformed into a vibrant city where conversations, negotiations, partnerships and decision-making unfolded in real time. Participants quickly realised that civic issues are rarely solved by a single institution or individual. Meaningful progress depends on collaboration, trust, shared responsibility and sustained dialogue across sectors.

More than an activity, Naata Shahi offered a practical glimpse into the realities of city-making: the complexity of public systems, the value of every stakeholder’s contribution, and the understanding that lasting change is created when communities, institutions and governments work together towards a shared vision for a more WISE city.

WISE Mumbai Awards

The WISE Mumbai Awards celebrate individuals, organisations and localities building a more WISE spirit, spaces and Mumbai. This year the awards received an inspiring 76+ nominations from across the city, reviewed by a distinguished six-member jury who selected awardees whose work truly reflects the values and vision of a WISE Mumbai.

WISE Leader Award

Dr. Noorjehan Safia Niaz

Recognised for her pioneering leadership in advancing justice and equality for Muslim women.

WISE Locality Award

The Dharavi Dream Project

Celebrated for using Hip-Hop as a powerful tool for education, leadership and social change.

Emerging WISE Leader Award

Sachi Maniar

Recognised for her leadership in supporting vulnerable children and youth through care, education and family reintegration.

Emerging WISE Locality Award

Special Hangout

Recognised for creating an inclusive community where neurodivergent individuals and their families can belong, learn and thrive.

Community Connect Fellowship: Cohort 16 graduates

The Community Connect Fellowship (CCF) is a three-month leadership programme that nurtures young changemakers through social action in their local communities. Rooted in partnerships with colleges and the National Service Scheme (NSS), it equips youth to identify local issues, engage with stakeholders and lead meaningful change.

At the Summit, 59 fellows graduated from Cohort 16, marking the culmination of three months of learning, community engagement and civic action across Mumbai’s neighbourhoods.

Cohort 16 impact, May to July 2026

How WISE is Mumbai? The WISE Quotient

The WISE Quotient is a citizen-led survey that measures how people experience their neighbourhoods through the four lenses of a WISE city. Conducted between May and July 2026 and led by 59 Community Connect Fellows, it reached 3,600+ citizens across all 24 municipal wards of Mumbai. Rather than measuring infrastructure alone, it captures how people feel about the places they call home.

The findings reveal a city where hope remains strong. Citizens expressed optimism about Mumbai’s future while highlighting the need for greener neighbourhoods, stronger community participation, better management of shared civic resources and more opportunities for expression and local entrepreneurship. The Quotient was presented at the Summit to place citizens’ voices at the centre of conversations about Mumbai’s future: a shared evidence base for citizens, organisations, institutions and decision-makers, and a starting point for building more responsive, connected and WISE localities.

Read the full WISE Quotient report →

Moments from the evening

In the press

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