Welcome to this edition of The Social Audit. In the social development world, we talk a lot about “impact,” “sustainability,” and “systems change.” But we rarely talk about what happens when the workday ends and we have to walk back…
India’s philanthropic sector is frequently described using numbers that sound authoritative. Figures in the trillions appear in conference decks and sector reports. Percentages circulate about how giving is distributed, which causes receive the most, and how many organisations are actually…
By the Public Health Center of Excellence and the Gender Center of Excellence India’s transgender population faces a healthcare crisis that long predates any legislation. Access to general medical care, HIV testing, mental health services, and gender-affirming procedures has remained…
By Manju Menon, CEO NuSocia The social sector is obsessed with success and terrified of failure. In a space where the most important change is always slow, messy, and impossible to guarantee, that combination is quietly devastating. Let me start…
How M&E Became the Engine of Strategic Growth MEL has always been about learning. What’s changed is who’s doing it, how fast, and what technology now makes possible — especially in CSR, where real-time intelligence is replacing the annual field…
The landscape of social development has always been tumultuous, but in recent years, a distinct schism has formed between how organizations manage their social conscience versus their strategic risks. While Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks have become synonymous with…
We all know the feeling. You’re on a field visit, energized by the sight of a skilling program in action. The students are engaged, the trainers are passionate. But then you open the MIS dashboard, and the numbers… just don’t…
India’s local governance framework is progressive. With mandated reservations for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, leadership at the village level is meant to be more representative, inclusive, and responsive to diverse community needs. Yet, what governance promises in structure does…
When you mention AI in a city boardroom, the first thought is Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, chatbots, and predictive analytics. But step into the dusty lanes of rural India, and you might be surprised to find a very different association. For…
The global conversation around skilling has increasingly focused on the digital sphere, with governments, corporations, and educational institutions championing new training platforms and tools. However, a critical question remains: are these initiatives truly reaching those who need them most? The…
Open source has emerged as more than just a technology movement – it represents a philosophy of collaboration, transparency, and democratized access to knowledge. In the social development world, where organizations operate at the intersection of scarce resources, urgent needs,…
Artificial intelligence has become a powerful force, reshaping industries and influencing our daily lives. While conversations around AI often revolve around efficiency, automation, and even replacement, a significant and quieter revolution is also underway: the use of AI to foster…
In the world of social development, data is the bedrock of informed decision-making. Yet, we’ve all seen projects where mountains of data are collected, only to sit unused in a forgotten spreadsheet. The true power of data isn’t in its…
A Deep Dive Framework for Social Sector Professionals to Navigate AI Adoption Introduction: Why the Social Sector Must Understand AI Personas Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s a tool of today. For social sector organizations,…
In our digital renaissance, artificial intelligence isn’t just a breakthrough—it’s an energy revolution. McKinsey analysts highlight a staggering projection: global data center power use is expected to rise from around 70 gigawatts today to over 220 gigawatts in just five…
The idea of machines that can “think” like humans has captivated us for generations, appearing in sci-fi, research, and pop culture. A major turning point came in 1997 when IBM’s Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov. For the…
A recent social media trend discussed how the serving method of staple foods might impact women’s participation in family conversations. The theory suggests that the communal, all-at-once serving of rice allows for more participation, whereas the serving of hot rotis…
Today, on World Bee Day, we pause to recognise an often overlooked but essential link between biodiversity, food systems, public health, and livelihoods: bees. Bees aren’t just about honey. They are among the most critical pollinators we have — essential…
AI is a powerful ally in evaluation, best used to handle repetitive tasks like data cleaning and pattern recognition. However, it is just that, an ally alongside a sharp evaluator. AI cannot replace human insight—critical for interpreting data within ethical,…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often perceived to be a neutral, objective tool – just code and computation, free of human flaws. But behind the screen, AI reflects the very systems, structures, and social dynamics that shape our world. Among the…
In 2014, the Supreme Court of India delivered a watershed judgment in the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India case, affirming the rights of transgender persons to self-identify their gender and be recognized as a third gender.…
Personal branding is more than just a tool for career growth – it is a guiding force that influences how we approach our decisions and in our world of social development, how we approach complex social challenges. Many people associate…
Identity is shaped by the environment, socioeconomic conditions, and external forces. For India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), identity is deeply intertwined with their traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and the challenges they face in preserving these legacies. NuSocia has conducted…
While modern medicine has made significant advancements, it remains out of reach for many communities due to geographic inaccessibility, high costs, and cultural barriers. Traditional healers, on the other hand, are deeply embedded within these communities, offering immediate and affordable…
India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for women’s empowerment have seen a significant engagement around traditional skill-building programs such as stitching, tailoring and food processing. While these efforts have undoubtedly provided economic opportunities to thousands of women even, they have…