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    • Three young people sitting at a table and talking to each other. They are all wearing black. We can see that the boy is wearing a hoodie with white stripes. To their right on a wooden wall with tools such as measuring tape, drilling machines, screwdrivers etc stick to the wall_government collaboration
    Advocacy & Government

    Five lessons from partnering with the government

    A nonprofit-government partnership works when there is mutual trust, clear communication, and a good understanding of each other’s roles.
    by Nagakarthik MP, Parij Borgohain | 6 min read

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    The image is set in a desert area with thorny bushes, and sand-like soil covering the ground. A recently cut tree is laying diagonally on a metal frame, placed right next to the tree stump. In the background, there are a series of solar panels placed on a similar metal frame._Khejri trees
    Environment
    Solar panels cast a shadow over Rajasthan’s khejri trees
    In Bikaner, large-scale land acquisition for solar plants has led to a massive felling of khejri trees, impacting local ecology, wildlife, and livelihoods.
    by Kishanaram Godara | 2 min read
    The image shows a man and a woman riding bicycles down a broad concrete path. There is grass growing on either side of the path and there are lush green trees lining growing behind the grass patches. There are people sitting on a bench on the side._Urban planning
    Urban
    Urban India must invest in blue-green infrastructure
    WRI India’s Jaya Dhindaw on why blue-green infrastructure—from green corridors to wetlands—must be seen as essential to urban planning.
    by Shreya Adhikari, Derrek Xavier | 9 min read
    A group of farmers sorting kendu leaves in bunches in a field
    Livelihoods
    Green gold crisis: The barriers disrupting Kendu leaf trade in Odisha
    State approvals continue to stand between Odisha's forest-dwelling communities and their right to sell kendu leaves, leaving livelihoods at risk.
    by Bidyut Mohanty | 2 min read
    View from inside an auto rickshaw, showing the driver from behind as he drives through a city street with traffic and greenery outside._gig workers
    Rights
    The long road ahead for gig and platform workers in India
    Legislations, introduced after strong advocacy from unions, promise social security to gig and platform workers in several states. But more needs to be done.
    by Shaik Salauddin | 6 min read
    A black dog with its mouth wide open appears startled or mid-bark while running away, as a small white dog chases behind holding a plush toy in its mouth on a grassy lawn. A red chew toy is also on the ground in front of the black dog._Nonprofit humour
    Humour
    How to master networking lunches
    Or atleast survive them.
    by Halima Ansari | 2 min read

    Ground Up

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    Bite-sized stories from the people closest to the action.


    Environment
    photo
    Solar panels cast a shadow over Rajasthan’s khejri trees
    by Kishanaram Godara
    Location Icon Bikaner district, Rajasthan
    Livelihoods
    photo
    Green gold crisis: The barriers disrupting Kendu leaf trade in Odisha
    by Bidyut Mohanty
    Location Icon Koraput district, Odisha
    Livelihoods
    photo
    In Uttar Pradesh, the Musahar community can neither sow nor reap
    by Ramawati Devi, Chinta Devi
    Location Icon Kushinagar district, Uttar Pradesh
    Livelihoods
    photo
    How coastal women in Odisha are adapting to erosion 
    by CH Padmini
    Location Icon Ganjam district, Odisha

    Videos

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    Teaching beekeeping to young people in rural Meghalaya
    What happens when gender becomes a target of misinformation?
    IDR Ground up | In Uttar Pradesh, the Musahar community can neither sow nor reap

    A day in the life of

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    Frontline workers and first responders share their insights from working at the grassroots.


    a female forest guard puts out a forest fire in Mewar Biodiversity Park, Udaipur district, Rajasthan--forest guard
    Environment
    Why conservation needs connection: Guarding Rajasthan’s forests
    A day in the life of a forest guard, who navigates gender roles, community needs, and conservation in Rajasthan.
    by Santosh Kunwar Bhati | 5 min read
    Women in a village standing in a group and talking_mental health stigma
    Health
    From self to society: Navigating silence and stigma around mental health
    A day in the life of a community health worker in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, who tackles mental health stigma through trust and support—in her own life and for the people she serves.
    by Geeta Shakya | 6 min read
    a teacher coach observing a class in session--government school teachers
    Education
    Observing classrooms, building capacities
    A day in the life of an educator, who uses a technology-enabled approach to coach government school teachers in Palghar, Maharashtra.
    by Ketan Tambe | 8 min read

    Failure Files

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    Social change leaders chronicle their failures and lessons learnt.

    Silhouetted birds perched on bare tree_leadership failure
    Leadership & Talent
    Building team culture isn’t optional
    A nonprofit co-founder reflects on how scaling rapidly unintentionally alienated employees, which led to cracks in organisational culture.
    by Vijayalakshmi Mohan | 7 min read
    Aerial shot of women protestors sitting_well-being
    Social Justice
    Preparing for a marathon, not a sprint 
    Dalit civil rights activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan on why failure is an opportunity to build power, how systems of oppression affect well-being, and what healing looks like for individuals and communities.
    by India Development Review | 10 min read
    Barbed wire_nonprofits
    Leadership & Talent
    Why don’t nonprofits talk about their failures?
    A number of risks, both real and perceived, stop nonprofits from talking about failure. Here's how various stakeholders can work together to overcome them.
    by Tanaya Jagtiani, Rachita Vora | 7 min read

    IDR Interviews

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    Conversations with visionaries on their life's work, and their efforts to challenge the status quo in our country.

    The image is an illustration of Devika Singh._Early childhood care
    "You can’t talk about childcare without talking about labour. About migration. About how women work long hours for low wages. About where they live, what they eat, how invisible they are to systems meant to serve them."
    Devika Singh
    9 min read
    an image of Dayamani Barla against a turquoise background-adivasi
    "Activists should go to places where laws are made and also where laws are implemented. If you don’t get into politics, you won’t be able to save the country."
    Dayamani Barla
    3 min read
    Madhu mansuri hasmukh
    "I spoke of the rights of Adivasis in my songs. When the state of Jharkhand was created, we had great aspirations, and  these aspirations are also woven into my songs."
    Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh
    8 min read

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    Sectors

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    Insights and analysis of specific sectors in the development arena—what works, what doesn't, and what needs to change.

    See all coverage by topic:
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Livelihoods
  • Rights
  • Water & Sanitation
    • The image shows a man and a woman riding bicycles down a broad concrete path. There is grass growing on either side of the path and there are lush green trees lining growing behind the grass patches. There are people sitting on a bench on the side._Urban planning
    Urban
    Urban India must invest in blue-green infrastructure
    WRI India’s Jaya Dhindaw on why blue-green infrastructure—from green corridors to wetlands—must be seen as essential to urban planning.
    by Shreya Adhikari, Derrek Xavier | 9 min read
    View from inside an auto rickshaw, showing the driver from behind as he drives through a city street with traffic and greenery outside._gig workers
    Rights
    The long road ahead for gig and platform workers in India
    Legislations, introduced after strong advocacy from unions, promise social security to gig and platform workers in several states. But more needs to be done.
    by Shaik Salauddin | 6 min read
    The image shows the author sitting with a group of young boys in a circle on the ground. There are pieces of wooden logs placed on the ground and there are several wooden boxes that have been painted green also placed on the ground. The author is holding a dull iron tool in his hand as he works on something._Beekeeping
    Livelihoods
    Why I teach beekeeping to young people in rural Meghalaya
    Discover how a farmer in Meghalaya is blending traditional wisdom and modern methods in beekeeping to harvest honey, teach youth, and create livelihoods.
    by Wallam Kupar Warjri | 2 min read

    Themes

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    Approaches and ideas that cut across sectors and counter the dominant narratives around us.

    See all coverage by topic:
  • Advocacy & Government
  • Climate Emergency
  • Collaboration
  • COVID-19
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Ecosystem Development
  • Gender
  • Inequality
  • Philanthropy & CSR
  • Scale
  • Social Business
  • Social Justice
  • Urban
  • Youth
    • Three young people sitting at a table and talking to each other. They are all wearing black. We can see that the boy is wearing a hoodie with white stripes. To their right on a wooden wall with tools such as measuring tape, drilling machines, screwdrivers etc stick to the wall_government collaboration
    Advocacy & Government
    Five lessons from partnering with the government
    A nonprofit-government partnership works when there is mutual trust, clear communication, and a good understanding of each other’s roles.
    by Nagakarthik MP, Parij Borgohain | 6 min read
    The image shows a man and a woman riding bicycles down a broad concrete path. There is grass growing on either side of the path and there are lush green trees lining growing behind the grass patches. There are people sitting on a bench on the side._Urban planning
    Urban
    Urban India must invest in blue-green infrastructure
    WRI India’s Jaya Dhindaw on why blue-green infrastructure—from green corridors to wetlands—must be seen as essential to urban planning.
    by Shreya Adhikari, Derrek Xavier | 9 min read
    An aerial view of a massive landfill site filled with heaps of waste and plastic debris. Scattered across the trash are makeshift shelters, tarpaulins, and piles of collected recyclables. A few people can be seen sorting through the garbage, surrounded by large sacks and baskets used to gather materials. The scene highlights the harsh working and living conditions of waste pickers amidst an overwhelming expanse of urban waste._Waste management
    Environment
    ​Wasting a city: Nagaland’s urban waste crisis
    Nagaland’s poor urban waste management is as much due to poor infrastructure and low funding, as it is due to the slow behavioural change among its citizens.
    by Keletsino Mejura | 6 min read

    Expertise

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    Skills and functions that are core to growing programmes and organisations.

    See all coverage by topic:
  • Board & Governance
  • Fundraising & Communications
  • Leadership & Talent
  • Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Programme
  • Technology
    • Colourful shawls lying on top of each other--funding
    Fundraising & Communications
    How to get funding for your organisation’s core costs
    Tweaks in language and systems could persuade donors to pay for costs not directly linked to specific programmes.
    by Girish Nair | 5 min read
    a bunch of about 50 paper clips lying on a brown surface-12A 80G
    Philanthropy & CSR
    How Indian nonprofits can stay tax compliant
    Donor trust and tax benefits hinge on 12A and 80G renewals. This guide outlines key updates, renewal timelines, and compliance tips for nonprofits in India.
    by Parul Agrawal | 5 min read
    Two men inside a blue-painted shop measure and pour grain into a sack using a metal scoop, at a public distribution system ration shop._Public Distribution System PDS
    Rights
    Infrastructures of exclusion: How e-KYC impacts access to food
    With digital systems prone to failure, the e-KYC process for ration cards threatens people’s access to food under the Public Distribution System.
    by Sameet Panda, Sweta Dash | 8 min read
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