Safa Baig

2025-2026 University of Chicago Scholar

Headshot of Safa Baig, 2025-2026 University of Chicago Scholar

Pakistan

Co-founder, HamSukhan

Reimagining cities and public spaces in Pakistan as inclusive, empowering platforms by amplifying women’s leadership and civic participation through community-driven initiatives

Safa Baig is the co-founder of HamSukhan, a nonprofit organization in Pakistan that provides a platform for youth to develop solutions for local issues. Paired with her passion for city planning, Safa led a partnership with the Islamabad city government to revive a dormant library, transforming it into a community space hosting over 60 community-inspired events with more than 1,000 participants. Through the Scholars program, Safa plans to expand HamSukhan into a city-wide initiative by deepening her understanding of how inclusive cities and public policy are developed and implemented through multi-sector models such as public-private partnerships and community-owned spaces. Her long-term vision is to extend this model to other cities in Pakistan and advocate for its adoption in local governance structures.

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The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.

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