Using mobile technologies to educate farmers on ZBNF practices
Offered community level cleaning, grading, and storage facilities for 225 farmers to store their harvest for a total of 25 tons of mustard seeds
IDS funded an ecological development project in the arid region of the Satara District of Maharashtra. The goal of the project is to create a mini-jungle on the Gairan with a water retention tank for environmental conservation in the area, promoting pollution control and providing a natural habitat for wildlife.
Himalayan ecosystem and livelihoods through herbiculture
For last 18 years, Milaan Foundation has been tirelessly working with adolescent girls and boys for gender and socio-economic equality through the flagship Girls Icon Program, Unkmut and UP Coalition of Empowerment of Girls. Their Girl Icon Program reached over 100,000 girls across India – 100,000 girls who are now confident leaders, change-makers, and voices of courage in their communities.
IDS is proud to have supported Milaan for the Girls Icon Program during its inception phase.
Violence against women is an issue prevalent throughout the world cutting across countries and cultures. It takes place in many forms resulting in physical, sexual and psychological harm in public or private spaces, having an impact on women, children and individuals irrespective of their socio-economic status. In a country as vast and diverse as India, patriarchy is as deep seated as inequalities based on caste, class, religion, race, occupation and place of birth. In such a society, women may be rendered homeless due to diverse factors including, but not limited to, a desire to improve their circumstances and lead a life of their own choice, to escape violence, poverty, dysfunctional families, discrimination faced by them or the group they belong to. Women also suffer more from forced evictions and homelessness as both situations subject them to greater violence as well as violation of personal dignity and health (Choudhary, Joseph & Singh, 2014). Homeless women in the age group of 18-30 years are not only the most prone to gender based and sexual violence but are also unable to access primary and public health services because of the discrimination and stigma encountered in the society and systems. Due to lack of civil and legal documents, many of them are excluded from accessing healthcare, legal, social services and also are often denied treatment. The project aims to ensure homeless young women’s and trans youth’s rightful access to safe, empowering spaces and holistic health services in the age group of 18-30 years. The envisaged outcome is that in 5 years, 400 homeless young women and trans persons are aware of their healthcare rights and able to lead a healthy life and access different healthcare services without any stigma.
a) The recipient community:- Farmers, primarily marginal and involved in traditional farming, face a
dire situation with an average family monthly income of Rs. 3,500. This financial strain often leads to
depression followed by tragic outcomes, including suicides due to the inability to repay loans. The persistent
scarcity of water due to persistent droughts further constrains farmers from diversifying into alternative
crops. Consequently, the prevailing poverty & depression in these communities is exacerbated. "People are
living there because they were not dead."
b) The locality:- Districts of Marathwada region like Beed, Osmanabad, Latur, Parbhani, Aurangabad,
Solapur etc.
c) The size and scope of the project:- The project is ambitiously designed to encompass a diverse range of
programs aimed at holistic agricultural development:
1. The initiative involves suggesting and supporting farmers in making informed choices regarding crop
selection and altering cropping patterns to include more remunerative crops. Additionally, the project
encourages the adoption of horticulture practices for sustainable and profitable farming.
2. A crucial aspect of the project is the sourcing of high-quality saplings, ensuring that farmers have access
to superior planting materials. This emphasis on quality inputs is expected to translate into a better overall
quality of produce.
3. To enhance the knowledge base of farmers, the project is dedicated to providing comprehensive training
on farming processes and techniques. From pre-plantation to post-harvest stages, farmers will be equipped
with better practices to maximize yields and improve overall efficiency.
4. The creation of a supportive ecosystem for farmers is a pivotal aspect of the project. This includes
ongoing training, the incorporation of relevant technologies, the establishment of a call center, and 24x7
support provided by trained agriculturists. This multifaceted approach ensures that farmers have constant
access to assistance and guidance.
5. Facilitating the sale of produce is another significant component, wherein the project aims to connect
farmers directly to buyers. This strategic intervention is designed to empower farmers to secure the best
possible prices for their produce, fostering a more economically viable and sustainable agricultural model.
In essence, the project's size and scope are expansive, addressing critical facets of agricultural development,
from crop choice to post-harvest processes, with a strong emphasis on technology, knowledge enhancement,
and market connectivity for the benefit of the farming community.
d) The goals of the project:-
1) To increase the farmers income by atleast four times.
2) Get maximum farmers out of poverty trap
3) Work on soil, water & farming sustainable practices
4) Teach appropriate technology & systems to empower farmers
5) Create a proof of concept to replicate & scale up across the nation
A women’s empowerment initiative in Gujarat that promotes land ownership rights through legal support, awareness, and community action, transforming livelihoods and enabling women like Lataben to achieve economic independence.
A large-scale rural transformation initiative in Maharashtra that tackles drought and farmer distress through water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and livelihood enhancement, significantly increasing farmers’ incomes.
An environmental education initiative by Green Yatra that empowers school students with practical sustainability skills and promotes climate-conscious lifestyles across communities in India.
A youth livelihood and skill development initiative in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, providing vocational training to marginalized youth—especially women—to promote self-reliance, income generation, and social transformation.
A human dignity initiative in Gujarat that helps nomadic and marginalized communities secure legal identity and access to government entitlements, enabling social inclusion and improved livelihoods.
A holistic rural development initiative in Madhya Pradesh that strengthens livelihoods, governance, education, and healthcare through community-led action in 10 villages.
Savera Foudation is putting its efforts in generating livelihood opportunities by working in the sector of soil and water conservation and allied livelihood opportunities. The recipient community belongs to Santhal Tribes who are at present engaged with mica mining, migrate and work as daily wage workers. They are dependent on rain fed paddy cultivation for food security. However, due to less rainfall for continuous three consecutive years, small and marginalized farmers are worst affected by drought in the form of food insecurity. As, the land is the main resources of these farmers in the area, soil and water conservation approach will help to secure the livelihood of the farmers. They will remains connected with natural resources for sustenance livelihood.
The proposed project is for 3 years. It will cater the need of small and marginalized farmers having 20 dismal to 1 acre land. During a detailed discussion with the community, it was noticed that water management structures and runoff water check like ponds, irrigation well, Loose Boulder Structures, and Earthen Check Dam if developed would check soil erosion and enable water availability for drinking and irrigation purpose.
Goal of the project - Creation of water management resources for benefiting small holders farmers, landless and most marginalized sections in the sector of environmental, social, and economic concern.
To ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. (Contributing towards SDG 2)
Purpose 1:
Improved Natural Resource Management through micro watershed development for land and water management. (Resilience)
Purpose 2:
200 Small holder farmers, landless and most marginalized section engaged in various on farm, off farm and other Income Generating Activities. (Productivity )
Purpose 3:
Improved linkage with Government Schemes established
IDS supported a project to build awareness and seek out employment opportunities for mentally and physically challenged youth.
IDS supported the OpenTree Toybank program: Development Through Play.
IDS supported the Girl Icon program, providing education and training for girls to be self-sufficient.
Vocational training (Organic farming) for Tribal girls
Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) of Adolescents and Women
A climate education initiative by Ek Tara that uses illustrated children’s books to build environmental awareness and inspire sustainable habits among underprivileged children across India.
IDS funds support the use of football as life learning and education for children and youth.
A women’s protection and rehabilitation initiative in Mumbai that provides safe shelter, care, and long-term support to homeless and vulnerable women facing violence and abandonment.
An empowerment and education initiative in Jharkhand that equips adolescent girls with life skills, health awareness, and leadership training through the Sashakti Fellowship program.
The People's Institute for Re-Thinking Education and Development
A youth skill development and employment initiative that equips underprivileged youth with vocational training, life skills, and job opportunities, enabling them to build confident and sustainable futures.
IDS supported education programs for girls in the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh regions.
Shramik Bharti works to provide resources to small farmers.
IDS funds were used to purchase an ambulance to transport COVID patients during the second wave of the pandemic in India.
IDS funds were used to support Goonj’s work across 27 states in partnership with over 550 organizations.
IDS funds were used to purchase oxygen concentrators during the second wave of the pandemic in India.
In its second year of funding from IDS, the Jail University run by Shikshantar in Udaipur Central Jail in Rajasthan has continued to foster dignity and self-respect for over 100 inmates whom society had long written off as civil citizens.
Shaishav’s goal is to ensure that all children are safe and have an equal opportunity to enjoy their rights and all the joys of childhood. In partnership with IDS, 389 children from three villages in two Vanshalas and 462 children in the child-friendly villages program benefited.
IDS funded a digital tools training program for migrant workers to diversify their skillset so they have more opportunities for fair employment in the marketplace. DEF worked with 218 individuals in Muzzafarpur, Bihar, 315 individuals in Nuapatna, Odisha, and 268 individuals in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh.
IDS funded a waste picker community development program, including children's education and women's empowerment and training.
Sodhana has been working in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh for economic upliftment of rural and oppressed communities for the last 37+ years. IDS has had a long-term partnership with Sodhana for 10+ years in many aspects of health care wellness, such as reducing malnutrition among pre-school children, health care centers, and ensuring “last mile” coverage for health care needs. IDS funded a preventative health care network run by self-help groups and barefoot nurses.
IDS funded a girls empowerment program to ensure girls' continuation of secondary education, improve adolescent girls’ health, delay marriage beyond the legal age of 18, and build awareness around gender-based discrimination and violence.
COVID relief funds were used to train healthcare workers in order to provide door to door healthcare services and to implement trainings for 30 grassroots organizations on COVID. They also implemented a helpline to clarify misinformation about the disease and vaccine.
Funds were used to provide food kits to 758 individuals and their families and to purchase 150 oximeters for local health workers to assess the oxygen levels of their patients during hospital visits and 4 oxygen concentrators for the GRAVIS hospital
Supported 293 families, approximately 2,050 individuals, many of whom are migrant workers, single mothers, and subsistence famers with food ration kits
Distributed food grains to 730 families (3,543 individuals) living in the slums of Mumbai suburbs
Provided interest-free loans to 5,867 small farmers to help them rebuild their livelihood, ensuring cash flow to meet the costs of starting a new sowing season
Creates awareness and helps farmers through dissemination of information about manure, composting, biofertilizers, and natural farming processes
Jail University: a program that allows inmates to explore outlets of healthy and positive expression to reduce the likelihood of repeat offense and reincarcaration
Purchased 34,984 triple layered masks, 2,299 N95 masks, 2,660 liters of hand sanitizer, a few thousand hand gloves, and 200 face shields
Purchased and distributed 500 food relief kids to ragpicker families
Planted 2,000 arecanut and coconut trees on four women's farmlands and 2,000 meals were distributed to 150 stranded migrant workers in Rajasthan
Empowering women socially and financially to work towards generating livelihood and to develop leadership skills
Distribution of food ration kits for 400 families in 25 villages
Designed a comprehensive program to reduce the spread of covid in 34 villages for 12,552 individuals in the Vizag district
1100 destitute people were given food supplies for a month
Food supply kits for 500 migrant worker families
Provided funding for 200 farmers for income generation
Grain storage program for 100 women mustard seed farmers for when markets re-open
Program to empower adolescent girls, investing in a new generation of changemakers
Expanding crops and increasing income effectively and efficiently
Preventative healthcare by empowering self-help groups
Health benefits for mother and child: nutrition and education project
Alliance for liberty, fraternity, and advancement; giving opportunities for self-exploration and self-expression to young people from backward districts
High-efficiency cookstoves to reduce smoke and fuel-use
Funding for two youth activists to work in rural schools to identify and mentor young social activists
Training young seamstresses
Employability education
Youth fellowship program, research leads to problem solving
Fighting lung diseases in mine workers
Indian Pollution Control Association
Skills training for tribal youth who come from poor economic backgrounds
Preventative healthcare for self-help groups
Stanting up for water picker communities
Training young social workers
Helping mothers raise healthy children through nutrition, education, and watershed development
Preventative healthcare for self-help groups
Skills training for tribal youth who come from poor economic backgrounds
Empowering disadvantaged youth through a youth fellowship program
Combating lung diseases in mine workers
Building a business with traditional artisans
Improving the job skills of young women
Nutrition supplementation program for preschool students
Nutrition and education project for the critical age group (0-5 years)
Primary education for rag pickers
Providing healthcare education to rag picker communities
Provide entrepreneurs with business development support and financial resources to launch and scale their business
Nutrition and education project for the critical age group (0-5 years)
Healthcare, education, and training for ragpicker children and women
Mentoring and skills and leadership training to youth
Improving farming methods, sanitation, and healthcare
Education, santitation, and childcare for rag picker communities
Himalayan Education Foundation
Teaching soft entrepreneurial skills through stories and skill-based activities to 599 girls in upper primary school
Improving farming methods, sanitation, and healthcare
Education, santitation, and childcare for rag picker communities
Healthcare, education, and training for ragpicker children and women
The recipients are pre-school aged children (3-5 years old) coming from economically poor families. The project delivers 2 eggs per week per child to help preeschoolers with nutrition.
Providing nutrition and education for children 0-5 years old in five villages in Mandla district through women self-help groups and Angandwadis
Providing nutrition and education for children 0-5 years old in five villages in Mandla district through women self-help groups and Angandwadis
The recipients are pre-school aged children (3-5 years old) coming from economically poor families. The project delivers 2 eggs per week per child to help preeschoolers with nutrition.
Provided education to 20-30 ragpicker children between the ages of 3-8
Design-driven stories to inspire 500 adolescent girls to use their education to transform their lives and create their own opportunities
Education for children of backward/Dalit class
Improve education of 215 impoverished younger children using storytelling, action songs, puppets, games, and the use of CDs and DVDs
Creating jobs for the ultra poor by building scalable businesses in India's most impoverished communities
Supporting documentary on water scarcity and water conservation
Supporting documentary on water scarcity and water conservation
Creating jobs for the ultra poor by building scalable businesses in India's most impoverished communities
Improve education of 215 impoverished younger children using storytelling, action songs, puppets, games, and the use of CDs and DVDs
Education for children of backward/Dalit class
Providing education (grades 1 to 5) to children in tribal hamlets; providing disaster mitigation, preventative healthcare, and the planning of income generation activities to approximately 200 families in remote tribal hamlets
Providing education (grades 1 to 5) to children in tribal hamlets; providing disaster mitigation, preventative healthcare, and the planning of income generation activities to approximately 200 families in remote tribal hamlets
Improving skills in college youth for employment by working with colleges
Providing healthcare to pregnant women to reduce maternal and infant mortality
Providing solar energy for library and school
Funding young activists undertaking the challenging journey or self and social transformation, and providing informal education and resources to conduct their developmental work
Create young leaders who are able to make meaningful social change using sustainable development approaches. The young fellows are trained initially in self-awareness, team building, and democratic governance
Water conservation and watershed management
Orphan and destitute children of sex workers to grow under community development
Providing medical equipment for hospitals
Providing medical equipment for hospitals
Water conservation and watershed management
Orphan and destitute children of sex workers to grow under community development
Water conservation and women's rights and build earthen check dams
Training women to develop handicraft skills and then linking them with urban markets
Providing training, employment opportunities, and marketing skills for the garment industry
Protecting rights of farmers and non-organized labor force
Providing health education, prevention of disease, and early detection and treatment of malnutrition
Providing legal aid and increasing the awareness of legal rights for the poor and marginalized
Women's health and maternal care
A Karnataka-based rural livelihood project promoting employment through village-level agricultural processing industries.
Women mobilization, skill development, microcredit program, livelihood and research activities
Education and income generation activities for women
Mushroom cultivation by women
Gender empowerment and income generation for women
Education and support for preschool children in the slums of Mumbai
Gender empowerment and income generation for women
Income generation for women to bring about socio-political change
Mobile science laboratory for village school children
Treatment of common diseases, provides better nutrition to mothers and babies, arranges for transportation of very sick patients to nearby hospitals, monthly clinics with specialists, health education, and vaccination and has 24/7 emergency services
Microcredit programs, income generation, growing lychees
Training community leaders in Gandhian thought
Non-formal education of children and empowerment of the poor
Providing medical help to improve general health and reduce infant and maternal mortality
Education and support for preschool children in the slums of Mumbai
Providing farm equipment for farmers in Orrisa
Rehabilitation of people affected by Narmada Dam
Income generation activities for women
Health care and human rights for the poor
Non-formal education of children and empowerment of the poor
Microcredit programs, income generation, growing lychees
Providing education opportunities for youth and motivating them for community work
Women are provided with training and marketing of garments with the help of tailoring
Training village women in health practices using Ayurveda and herbal medicines, sanitation awareness plus providing legal aid
Specific pottery training and teaching marketing skills to village potters
Educating rural blind children to facilitate integration with sighted children
Providing training, employment opportunities, and marketing skills for the garment industry
Vocational training programs, construction and repair of low cost housing and increasing water resources by digging bore wells
Providing education in basic healthcare and employment alternatives to prostitutes and their children in Vasco; health education emphasis on prevention of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases
Provides training and income generation for women and preschool education for children
Educating rural blind children to facilitate integration with sighted children
Providing training, employment opportunities, and marketing skills for the garment industry
Providing education in basic healthcare and employment alternatives to prostitutes and their children in Vasco; health education emphasis on prevention of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases
Abandoned women are organized to achieve economic and social recognition through acquisition of common land and production of biomass by recycling materials
Training village women in health practices using Ayurveda and herbal medicines, sanitation awareness plus providing legal aid
Camps for 8-13 year olds to be exposed to new ideas and crafts
Provides balwadi education and awareness raising
Organizing women to recycle waste material and use bio-mass
Provides balwadi education and awareness raising
Primary and secondary education, village council, women's group, plant nursery, and village library
Camps for 8-13 year olds to be exposed to new ideas and crafts
Run a school with flexible hours for children working in glass factories
Organizing villagers through training programs on leadership, laws, and social analysis
Training in handicrafts (from palm leaves) and assistance to form cooperative
Seeking to build health awareness; building 25 toilet facilities
Educating preschool children and training local women into becoming teacher aids
Improve economic well-being by providing seed money for animal and equipment
Improve economic well-being by providing seed money for animal and equipment
Educating preschool children and training local women into becoming teacher aids
Seeking to build health awareness; building 25 toilet facilities
Informs poor and lower middle class women about rights and contributes to their personal development
Educating villagers on cropping patterns, crops, and ground water to mitigate the effects of droughts
Duplicating the success of model village Ralegan-Shindi
A tribal development project in Bihar focused on improving livelihoods through continued funding and community-based initiatives.
A village development initiative in Maharashtra inspired by the successful Ralegan Siddhi model, focusing on sustainable rural transformation.
A rural development initiative focused on improving the lives of tribal communities in Bihar through education, development programs, and social upliftment activities.
Reduce immigration to urban centers by establishing agricultural processing centers