The Karuna Trust

In the rapidly evolving fundraising landscape, with multiple funders simultaneously pausing applications, there's a hidden opportunity for a transformational shift.   The recent Benefact Group podcast heard from experts in the field — Jo J., creator of The List and Anand Shukla of The Henry Smith Charity, expertly interviewed by Felicia Willow. They highlighted that beneath the apparent disruption of closes, pauses and rethinks, there's a focus on strategic thinking and long-term partnerships.    At Karuna, we've always believed that authentic relationship building is at the heart of effective fundraising. This sector-wide shift reinforces our commitment to developing genuine partnerships, focussing on deeper connections with our funding partners.   The future of fundraising lies not in transactional relationships but in collaborative approaches that align values and amplify impact. We're embracing the opportunities: more meaningful engagement with those who support our work with excluded communities in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.   #RelationshipsFirst #FundingFreeze #Opportunity

From grant-funded initiatives to community-driven programs, Karuna is creating lasting change across South Asia. Today, we're spotlighting Bhalobasha, one of our grassroots projects: specialised disability inclusion in West Bengal.   At Bhalobasha, which translates to 'loving home', 60 children with disabilities and their families receive comprehensive support each year. Our specialists deliver transformative therapies while building parents' capabilities—creating ripples of change throughout the community.   While our larger multi-year grants drive systemic change, Bhalobasha shows the power of targeted, holistic support. At our Baruipur day centre, children find a place to learn and play, receiving life-changing treatments from our team of therapists and psychologists.   Beyond therapy, we help families access disability pensions and essential aids and assistance. Parents form lasting connections through community events and shared experiences.   This approach exemplifies Karuna's model: combining practical support with community building at both grassroots and institutional levels.   #SocialImpact #InternationalDevelopment #CommunityChange #DisabilityRights

Thank you to Sanisha Gyawali and the teams of Green Tara Nepal and REED NEPAL for their work on the Learning Champions project. In the Rupandehi district of Nepal, only 25% of marginalised girls achieve academic targets and few women have personal income. This project supports 8,000 youth to access quality education, and their families to develop sustainable livelihoods. None of this could be achieved without our dedicated partners and their teams.

By focussing on four key areas that drive poverty and discrimination, we create meaningful change in the communities we work with. Following many years of our evidence-based approach, we've identified the key focus areas most in need and most likely to make a positive impact: Gender Equality Including strengthening legal protections and community awareness to safeguard women and girls from violence and trafficking. Education Including ensuring marginalised girls complete their education and avoid early marriage, equipping them for brighter futures. Sustainable Livelihoods Building economic security through skills training, financial education, and awareness of rights. Climate Resilience Partnering with frontline communities to build disaster preparedness and climate-adapted livelihoods. #GenderEquality #Education #SustainableLivelihoods #ClimateResilience

Karuna works with our partners to overcome gender inequality issues in South Asia by supporting women and girls to access their rights. In Bangladesh, India and Nepal, gender inequality is prevalent and widespread due to long-entrenched cultural norms. Women and girls are marginalised from society, losing out on access to education, economic opportunities, legal protection and safety from violence and trafficking. From April 2023 to April 2024, our initiatives reached 31,000 women and girls across South Asia, improving their access to and understanding of legal protections against violence and trafficking. With this knowledge and these resources, they are finally able to safeguard themselves and pursue justice. In our blog, we cover some of our projects that have supported women and girls in South Asia, encouraged gender equality and improved lives for current and future generations. https://lnkd.in/e5ckmgsy

96% of children in Karuna projects continue their education past the age of 14, almost double the national average. Historically, many of the communities Karuna works with have been denied education and suffered from high drop out rates. We work holistically with schools, parents and children, providing support structures to enable disadvantaged children to take full advantage of the mainstream school system. Karuna ensures that children are informed about their rights and can develop a sense of agency – becoming positive role models for one another and the change-makers for the next generation, taking their futures into their own hands. #karuna #education #Bangladesh #india #nepal #compassion #girlsrights #girlseducation

At Karuna, we believe education is a fundamental human right that transforms lives. Yet in many communities where we work, young women and girls continue to face significant barriers to learning. Our programmes are dedicated to breaking down these barriers, ensuring inclusive access to quality education for the most marginalised communities across South Asia.

This past year, Karuna supported 31,000 women and girls to break free from gender-based violence and trafficking. - Across South Asia, the safety and autonomy of women and girls remains under threat. - In marginalised communities, where rates of poverty and discrimination are especially high, financial and social pressures are prone to manifest as violence against the most vulnerable, typically women and girls. - The consequences of child marriages, coupled with restrictive gendered expectations, keep many women in the home to suffer in silence. Our projects ensure women can equally access the full range of rights and opportunities needed to realise their potential. By offering shelter, healthcare, counselling and vocational training, women who suffered from violence can reshape their lives, from one chosen for them into one they choose for themselves. #WomensRights #womensrightsarehumanrights #girlsrights #CompassionInAction

Our partner, Nirman, Pune conducts insightful sessions on Coping with Emotions for the children of the Wadar Vasti community. On Friday, we met with our partner PAWA London who supports Nirman's work. It's because of partnerships like that we can foster supportive ecosystems for young minds to flourish.

How would $1 million foster an inclusive environment for health and equality for women in South Asia? We hope we get to find out. Submitting our application to the Action for Women's Health open call by Pivotal Ventures and Lever for Change asked us to articulate how our community-based approach delivers measurable health impacts in South Asia. We transform women's health through social change, and our vision for the $1 million grant is clear and ambitious: • Expanding our work ending menstrual exile (Chhaupadi) to reach 18,000 women across six districts in western Nepal • Scaling our sexual abuse prevention and rehabilitation model across seven Indian states • Increasing the number of girls we keep in school — protecting their health and futures — from 28,000 to 35,000 annually It's been invaluable to have the opportunity to share our approach on this international platform. We look forward to learning from fellow organisations working globally to advance women's health. #WomensHealth #SouthAsia #GenderEquality