Hand in Hand India’s Post

🌟 Empowering Livelihoods, Celebrating Excellence 🌟 ACCESS Development Services hosted the Livelihoods India Summit 2024 on 19th and 20th December in Delhi, bringing together changemakers, thought leaders, and practitioners to explore innovative practices shaping livelihoods in India. A key highlight of the event was the release of the Livelihoods India Case Study Compendium 2024, showcasing groundbreaking insights and impactful initiatives. Among the featured stories was the inspiring case study by Arya Raj and Arun Sivaramakrishnan, titled "Catalysing Transformative Impact on 10,000 Women-Owned Businesses in the eCommerce Space." This powerful case study delves into the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in India's booming e-commerce sector, such as limited digital access, financial constraints, and societal norms. Through the Catalyst Group's innovative interventions—ranging from digital literacy programs to personalized mentorship—over 10,000 women-owned businesses have been empowered to overcome barriers, scale operations, and compete confidently in the digital economy. The event also celebrated excellence with a felicitation ceremony for the Livelihoods India Case Study Competition winners, honoring their exceptional contributions to advancing livelihoods and promoting sustainable growth. By fostering inclusivity and resilience, these initiatives highlight the transformative power of women entrepreneurs in driving equitable and sustainable economic growth. Let’s continue to champion innovative solutions and amplify the voices shaping a more inclusive future! #WomenEntrepreneurs #Inclusive #Entrepreneurship Vrutti -Livelihood Impact Partners #ACCESS Shiv Kumar Raghini Badhrinarayanan Raghunathan Narayanan M. B. GIRIDHAR GOUD Arya Raj Arun Sivaramakrishnan Joseph Julian

To continue our previous post about what excites us in 2025, we would like to explore the first theme: Driving Sustainable Livelihoods in India. In 2025, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has evolved into a powerful catalyst for poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement. With CSR spending reaching ₹27,000 crore in FY 2022 and an annual growth rate of 13% over the last five years, the impact on social development is profound. (The Economic Survey 2022-23) Key challenges such as income inequality and unemployment are being addressed through: 🤹 Skill Development Programs: Corporates are investing in vocational training to equip youth and women with market-relevant skills, enhancing employability and entrepreneurship. 🌾 Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Initiatives aimed at educating farmers on sustainable methods are increasing productivity and income, contributing to rural prosperity. Organisations like Professional Assistance For Development Action (PRADAN), Responsible Coalition for Resilient Communities (RCRC), and SauraMandala Foundation | Centre for Accelerated Development through PRIME-Sauramandala Rural Entrepreneurship Fellowship are forging impactful partnerships with state governments and CSOs. They channel resources into large-scale rural development programs that enhance livelihoods and entrepreneurship across India. At VIC, we have been working with these organisations and are excited about their work. The path forward involves deepening these collaborations, embracing innovative funding mechanisms, and focusing on scalable solutions that drive inclusive growth across the nation.

How NGOs in India Have Risen to Drive Impact Over the Last 5 Years   In the past five years, India has witnessed a remarkable rise in NGOs, with 3.1 million organizations now registered to drive change across diverse sectors. Here’s how their efforts are making a difference: •A 20% growth in NGOs since 2018 reflects India’s growing commitment to societal well-being. •70% focus on education and healthcare, uplifting communities and empowering lives. •With over 2 million people employed, NGOs are not only tackling social issues but also boosting local economies. •Increased foreign contributions (+25% since 2019) fuel vital projects, bringing real change to areas in need. From raising literacy to improving health, India’s NGOs are reshaping lives and strengthening society every day! Join the Movement for Change! Want to learn more about the incredible work being done by NGOs in India and how you can get involved? Visit our website to discover opportunities for support, collaboration, and impact. Together, we can make a difference! Explore More Here: https://lnkd.in/dEbM2xqK #Corpbiz #NGOsInIndia #PositiveChange #CommunityImpact #SocialGood #EmpoweringCommunities #DrivingImpact #SocietalWellbeing #EmpoweringLives #BoostingLocalEconomies #ForeignContributions #RealChange #ReshapingLives #StrengtheningSociety #SocialImpact

“The seed of my social sector journey started in the final term at ISB,” says atul satija (PGP Class of 2004), Founder and CEO of The/Nudge Institute, and Founder 2.0 and CEO of Give in this episode of Impact Chronicles, presented by ISB Alumni. Driven by his core purpose of eradicating poverty in India within this lifetime, Atul Satija has been collaborating with governments, markets, and civil society to create social impact at large, while offering various social innovation, rural development, skill development, and entrepreneurship programmes through The/Nudge Institute. Reflecting on his ISB journey, he shares how the connections he made here play a crucial role in supporting his social sector initiatives. He is in conversation with D N V Kumara Guru, Senior Director - Alumni Engagement, Advancement and External Relations at ISB.   Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gWAVrwdD #ISB #ISBAlumni #ImpactChronicles

🌍 Top NGO Trends in India for 2025 🌍 The nonprofit sector in India is evolving rapidly, adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Here are five key trends shaping the landscape: 1️⃣ Tech-Driven Impact: NGOs are leveraging digital platforms, data analytics, and mobile apps to enhance efficiency, fundraising, and beneficiary engagement. 2️⃣ Sustainability in Focus: Climate action is taking center stage, with organizations leading afforestation drives, promoting regenerative agriculture, and building climate resilience. 3️⃣ Empowering Women & Communities: Programs focusing on education, skill-building, and leadership for women are gaining momentum, fostering inclusive development. 4️⃣ Community-Led Development: A shift towards grassroots-driven initiatives ensures that interventions are locally relevant and sustainable, giving communities a voice in decision-making. 5️⃣ Diversified Funding Strategies: NGOs are reducing dependency on a single source by exploring corporate partnerships, crowdfunding, and international grants for financial sustainability. The future of social impact in India is innovative, inclusive, and community-driven. Which of these trends do you see making the biggest difference in 2025? Let’s discuss! 💡👇 #NGOs #SocialImpact #Sustainability #Innovation #WomenEmpowerment #India #Nonprofits

Did you know? 💡 Over 70% of India's workforce is in rural areas, and women make up 30% of all entrepreneurs** in these regions! 🚜 From running small businesses to leading agricultural innovations, rural women are reshaping the future of India’s economy. With access to microfinance and support programs, their businesses are growing at an impressive rate. 🌾 Rural India is not just surviving—it’s thriving! #RuralIndia #WomenEntrepreneurs #Microfinance #EmpoweringWomen #IndiaRising #RuralDevelopment #RuralInnovation**

The social impact sector in India is shifting gears, driven by a new generation of leaders who are rewriting the playbook for systemic change. India stands at a pivotal moment in its journey, balancing the energy of rapid economic growth with the weight of entrenched social challenges. The vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 demands a development model that uplifts all sections of society and leaves no one behind. In an interview with Mastufa Ahmed from People Matters, atul satija, Founder & CEO, and Krishna Raghavan, CPO of The/Nudge Institute, reflect on the winds of change sweeping through India’s social impact sector. With leaders blending entrepreneurial ambition and grassroots action, the focus is no longer on short-term fixes but on building systems that address exclusion and inequality at scale. Explore their perspectives on what’s driving this transformation: https://bit.ly/4ft7oyv

Are we building a better future, or just patching cracks in a broken system? The development sector in India stands at a crucial moment. Although we have done very well in areas like health, education, and digital connectivity, it's time to adopt a sustainable, inclusive, and locally driven approach to development initiatives. Here are a few areas that demand urgent attention: • Strengthening Governance: Implementing policies with citizen participation can help bridge the gap between intent and impact. • Localized Development: Customizing national programs to meet the unique needs of grassroots communities will drive meaningful change. • Empowering Marginalized Groups: Gender inclusivity, tribal welfare, and uplifting rural communities must remain at the core of all development strategies. • Climate Action and Sustainability: Climate resilience has to be in development programs that protect livelihoods and ecosystems. • Skill Development and Livelihoods: This provides the young workforce with a ready skill for future economic growth and stability. It is towards creating resilient and equitable India through a better collaboration of the government, NGOs, private sector players, and communities. What do you see as the pressing need in today's development context? Let your voice be heard in the comments! #PublicPolicy #PolicyImplementation #GoodGovernance #SocialImpact #CommunityEngagement #PolicyInAction #GovernanceMatters #PolicyInnovation #DigitalGovernance #SustainableDevelopment #InclusiveGrowth #PublicSector #DataDrivenPolicy #CivicTech #SocialChange #SmartGovernance #PolicyAndDevelopment #Transparency #Accountability #PolicyForPeople

70 percent of India resides in its rural heartland, where the paradox 'Nothing has changed, yet everything has changed' vividly captures the essence of its transformation. The journey is well traveled, yet there is still a long way to go. Heroes like Dr. Nandini Azad stand tall, paving the path forward. In 2018, when she got elected to the board of the international Raiffeisen Union (IRU), becoming the first Indian as well as the first woman to be appointed to the assignment, the world witnesssed the profound impact of women coming together as a cooperative society and helping the economy grow! I am grateful and privileged to have met her and other eminent figures in the field with a vision of a world where #corporates and #cooperatives can synergize. Corporates can learn from cooperatives about sustainable practices and community engagement, embedding social responsibility into their core strategies. Cooperatives, by adopting certain corporate efficiencies and innovative approaches, can enhance their operational effectiveness and broaden their impact. Kudos to PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for this initiative where collaboration could lead to a more inclusive economy, where the benefits of progress are shared more widely, and the drive for profit is balanced with the need for social good. Where do we fit in here ? It’s a vision of an economy that is not just about growth, but about growing together. And each one of us has a role to play! Why should we care ? Because such a collaboration harnesses the best of both worlds—driving economic growth while fostering social equity—ultimately creating a resilient and thriving society for future generations. And as #leaders in our own right, we must pave the way for a future where business serves all of humanity. What do we do? To start with, support the cooperative societies near us to collaborate with technology and innovation through our network! #collaboration #coexist #corporates #cooperative Ministry of Rural Development, GoI CSR Projects | India

#IDRPerspectives | Op-eds and commentary that hold a mirror up to civil society in India, reflect upon its evolution, unpack key trends, and outline the way forward. In this series, we cover a wide range of themes across the development sector to bring you the best of social justice, scale, sustainability and many more. In order of the quotes: Vijay Mahajan reflects on why we must change the rules of India's political system because it has  allowed social and economic inequalities to overtake the political process. He also tells us how this can be done. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation https://lnkd.in/d4CYnD4v Rajesh Shah highlights conservation lessons from coastal Gujarat, and talks about why it is crucial to simplify the climate change narrative for those most vulnerable to the crisis. (supported by MacArthur Foundation) https://lnkd.in/dEFZ-VJ2 For nonprofits to achieve scale, it is important to nurture a community around shared values. Gautam John explains how building platforms that cultivate care, trust, and value for users can help. https://lnkd.in/gkXj_pQP If a product that has demand doesn’t require repeated infusions of capital, nonprofit organisations can be sustainable for decades, Luis Miranda explains. https://lnkd.in/dtxRh4ch And lastly, Amitabh Behar explains how by disengaging with politics, the development sector is relegating itself to the sidelines. Oxfam India https://lnkd.in/duXx7b6