Governance is often understood as the system of rules, processes, and institutions that guide decision-making, ensure accountability, and enable societies to function effectively. While strong institutions are essential, governance does not operate in isolation; it depends on an ecosystem of…
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…
Why AI for Social Impact in India Is Stalling at the Policy Layer India’s development sector is experiencing a paradox. Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake across health, education, agriculture, livelihoods, justice, and social protection is widespread and accelerating. Yet, very few…
AI. Machine Learning. Deep Tech. Recently, there has been a lot of buzz, and frankly, noise when it comes to the tech world. Every company, sector, and manager is trying to figure out which tool, form of integration, type of…
For many students, especially when facing subjects like mathematics or science—learning can feel intimidating. Complex formulas, abstract theories, and the pressure of getting it right on the first try often lead to anxiety instead of curiosity. But what if learning…
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world, and a recent webinar by NuSocia, featuring leaders from policy and corporate sectors, confirms that its biggest impact may be on the future of work and skills in India. The discussion highlighted a…
Artificial Intelligence is transforming fields like sustainability, healthcare, and governance. However, the “black box” effect presents a persistent risk. As highlighted in NuSocia’s recent “Sustainable AI: Solving Environmental Problems Responsibly” webinar, developing or deploying AI models without deep domain expertise…
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 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…
As India grapples with the twin challenges of water scarcity and environmental degradation, lake rejuvenation has emerged as a promising solution. Lakes, once the cradles of biodiversity and the lifelines of agrarian livelihoods, have suffered from decades of neglect, siltation,…
In Talaja village in Bhavnagar, Gujarat the primary occupation of most of the people is agriculture. Lying next to the sea, they have the sea water which is of no use for agriculture and their farming practices were also not…
In Mumbai, the neighborhood of Worli is renowned for its posh reputation within the island city. However, nestled in the shadow of this bustling area lies Worli-Koliwada, a village where a significant part of the traditional fisherman community resides. Their…
Nestled within the mineral-rich state of Jharkhand lies a community in the heart of Jamtara District that has persevered through a myriad of challenges. In a region characterised by small, marginal land holdings and a heavy reliance on rainfall for…
Climate change is an existential challenge, particularly for developing nations like India, where the adverse effects are felt most acutely by the most vulnerable populations. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022), India is projected to experience…
Large Language Models (LLMs) have ushered in a new era in artificial intelligence. Their capabilities – ranging from understanding and generating human-like language to performing tasks like translation, summarization, content creation, and complex problem-solving – have transformed how industries operate…
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,…
Transforming Healthcare through AI AI’s entry into public health has produced notable advances in disease surveillance, diagnostics, and risk prediction 1,3,4. Yet, these are largely enhancements to existing systems, benefiting those already within the formal healthcare network. For underserved communities-where…
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.…
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…
India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is on a meteoric rise, growing at an annual rate of 94%, nearly three times the global average. With projections estimating India’s EV market to reach $150 billion by 2030, it’s clear that the nation…
As India steps up its sustainability efforts, the corporate sector is rapidly aligning with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals to meet global standards. These ESG trends are not just about compliance—they represent the future of responsible and profitable business…
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers pose a significant threat to India’s productivity. They account for nearly 60% of deaths in the country and result in annual economic losses estimated at $6 trillion globally. WHO in…
Cancer care in India has made significant strides in medical advancements, but the socioeconomic and psychological burdens on patients and their families remain overwhelming. Insights from recent projects at NuSocia emphasize that combating cancer effectively requires addressing the non-medical challenges…
Recently, the NuSocia Translational Research Center (NTRC) had the opportunity to conduct a research assignment on modern day slavery and organizations working against this. As we dove deeper, we came across a dozen different certifications that large corporations are required…
India’s growing population remains one of the front-running pieces of information that the globe talks about. Internally, population growth is often cited as a challenge in multiple social development areas like employment, skilling, education, etc. However, this anxiety around population…
As the global population continues to grow, cities are facing increasing pressure to accommodate the influx of people. Urbanization is one of the defining trends of the 21st century, with over half of the world’s population now living in urban…
Access to safe water and sanitation remains a critical issue in India, where out of its population of 1.4 billion, 35 million people lack access to safe water, and 678 million people are deprived of safe toilet facilities. This crisis…
Floods are a brutal reminder of nature’s force, affecting millions and leaving devastation in their wake. As of August 2024, both India and Bangladesh have been hit hard, with relentless rains causing rivers to overflow, leading to deadly floods. In…
Water security is essential for sustainable development and human well-being, encompassing the ability to access safe water, protect against pollution and disasters, and ensure ecosystem preservation. As recognized by the UN, it is central to global governance, with its significance…
By NuSocia Labs Introduction: The AI Revolution in the Non-Profit Sector Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across industries, and the non-profit sector is no exception. As organizations dedicated to social good, nonprofits face unique challenges and…
A Perspective from NuSocia’s Public Health Centre of Excellence “The greatest opportunity offered by AI is not reducing errors or workloads, or even curing cancer: it is the opportunity to restore the precious and time-honored connection and trust—the human touch—between…
By: The NuSocia Translational Centre (NTRC) The social sector space is fundamentally run on evidence garnered from communities and beneficiaries that are being impacted. Without this data, problems cannot be identified and even well intentioned programs, projects, and social impact…
In the intricate fabric of Indian society, the distinction between sex and gender has often been blurred, leading to misconceptions and discrimination against transgender individuals. While sex refers to biological characteristics such as reproductive organs, gender encompasses the societal roles,…
Implications of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 India’s New Education Policy introduced in 2020 brought about a plethora of changes in the education system’s policy front. One of them being the integration and support of children with disabilities (CWD).…
Access to toilets may not be a glamorous topic, but it’s undeniably crucial. For every individual, the ability to use a toilet safely and comfortably is a basic human right, included in Article 21 of the Constitution under the Right…
Nonprofits play a pivotal role in addressing specific community needs and creating positive change. However, being legally restricted from engaging in profit-making activities necessitates a continuous effort to raise funds. To navigate this challenge effectively, nonprofits should employ a strategic…
“I would revolutionize college education and relate it to national necessities. There would be degrees for mechanical and other engineers. They would be attached to the different industries which should pay for the training of the graduates they need” –…
Urbanization has emerged as a defining global phenomenon, reshaping the way we live and interact with our environment. With more people residing in cities than rural areas, this transformative shift is poised to continue. Over the next three decades, urban…
Sustainable financing was developed to answer one of the most important questions in the development world: how do we catalyze funds for overhauling economic, health, civil ecosystems to reduce emissions and work towards reversing the trajectory to a climate catastrophe?…
In recent years, the emergence of powerful Large Language Models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s GPT series, Google Bard, and Meta Llama has made significant strides across various industries. The social impact sector included. In this blog, we will explore how…
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the foundation for thriving societies and prosperous economies. It is a collective responsibility that contributes to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For businesses, the SDGs can be envisioned as…
The gender pay gap refers to the difference in average earnings of people based on gender. It is a widely recognized indicator of gender inequities, and it exists across industries and professional levels. The gender pay gap in India has…
The ingenuity of women in the realm of entrepreneurship stands as a testament to their remarkable resilience and creativity. Reflecting on history, it often occurs to me that while many groundbreaking inventions are attributed to men (at least as per…
Health is a fundamental right, yet access to it is not always as straightforward as it seems. Health-seeking behaviour, a pivotal aspect of ensuring timely healthcare access, encompasses an individual’s proactive inclination to seek medical attention when unwell. While quality…
India is faced with the colossal challenge of providing equitable access to quality healthcare services for its massive population of over 1.3 billion people. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s healthcare system faced significant challenges, including a large population, regional disparities,…
As social consultants and development sector practitioners, we are on a constant mission to create meaningful, impactful change. But sometimes, the best of intentions can unintentionally cause harm. This is particularly true in conflict-affected contexts, where well-intentioned social development projects…
How can women and girls participate in protecting the environment? Women from indigenous groups, and local communities are the most vulnerable and bear the brunt of climate shocks. Research and statistics show that they would prove to be better partners…
Global policy discussions around gender and climate action Last month, from November 6-18, the global development community was focused on the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference, or shortly known as COP27. An annual conference being organised since the United…
The world is witnessing more acts of kindness despite increasing acts of violence, anarchy, political, social, and economic instabilities, inequalities, and armed conflicts.While people from all over the world are facing their own battles individually or collectively with COVID-19, economic…
I believe that kindness is a core human value. And it drives humanity across the world. I strongly believe that every human being carries the quality of kindness. A lot has been said about kindness as an act towards others…
The time for change is now! 10 years ago, the United Nations institutionalised the 11th of October as International Day of the Girl Child. In the last ten years, governments, nonprofits, policymakers and the general public have been looking for…
Engaging in on-ground social research brings many occasions when the respondent while sharing their details, gets emotional as the questions, howsoever carefully crafted, might touch some raw nerve. As a social researcher, I am always at a loss for how…
What is your land holding size? How much land do you own? We used to ask farmers during our survey and the reply used to get us “3 acres”, “I own 5 acres” and “One acre”. Then we used to…
When I am asked about NuSocia, I not only see a 20 member team, 30 clients, 50 projects and 5 years of hard work to get where we are today but also 3 passionate individuals from different walks of life,…
Women play an indispensable role in sustaining the rural ecosystem of any country as entrepreneurs, wage earners and by farming. India has around 15 million women-owned enterprises, representing 20% of all enterprises. However, women face various challenges in building and…
Based on its years of experience working with data of social sector, NuSocia has developed a Social Research Ethics code. The code ensures that beneficiary data is protected and used only for the project purpose. The publically available form of…
Over the last year, organizations and individuals have had to adapt to the COVID-19 humanitarian and economic crisis. While governments globally made efforts to provide immediate relief, vulnerable communities continued to face some of the most profound challenges they have…
Consumers increasingly expect brands to have not just functional benefits but a social purpose. As a result, companies are taking social stands in very visible ways. Brands increasingly use social purpose to guide marketing communications, inform product innovation, and steer investments toward…
On 22nd January 2021, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) announced amendments to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules to enable businesses to undertake multi-year projects and to shift the emphasis from expenditure alone on impact assessment and modifying the reporting…
While interacting with a fellow collaborator last week, I was in for a surprise – this individual, at quite a senior position had absolutely no qualms in sharing that she has been taking online lessons on advanced excel – a…
A capital strategy to achieve social goals In the last few weeks, the term Social Stock Exchange seems to be the hot news item. In this article, I have tried to uncover some basics around Social Stock Exchange and bring…
According to the Brookings Institute report, titled “The Promise of Impact Investing in India”, India faces a financial gap of around $564 billion for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. The report also mentions that in a survey…
Individuals, Workplaces, Organisations and Economy The current ongoing pandemic has shook everyone, across the globe. Never before in last 50+ years, a single phenomenon has brought the whole world under a lockdown. This lockdown and associated restrictions on movement is…
After much anticipation and build up, Government of India announced its economic stimulus package for economy impacted by Coronavirus enforced lockdown. With the announcement out, TV debates and WhatsApp memes have been fighting it out on how good is the…
The NuSocia Way It was January 2020 and I was on one of the weekly team calls with my head office when our founder-advisor shared that in March 2020, the organization would be completing three years and would be a…
How MSMEs in India are facing COVID19 Scenario Without any doubt, SMEs are one of the key drivers behind India’s growth story. The MSME Sector consisting of 36 million units, as of today, provides employment to over 80 million persons.…
In these times of Social Distancing, there is new found respect across all sectors for everything digital. The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), finally, is getting its due attention from sectors and quarters which were always sceptical that AI is…
A question that needs revisiting given pandemic like COVID 19 COVID-19 is an unprecedented event impacting humanity across nations. There is also the worry about the livelihoods of millions of people in the low-income bracket, especially in the developing world.…
Deep Joshi, the founder of PRADAN composed the following in an article “If I were to conduct a village study”- “I know I would travel around the village … walk, walk, and walk. I would listen and talk to people,…
Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) are the new 17 universal goals which cover a 15 years’ time from 2016 to 2030, these goals are the part of wider development agenda which will stand on the base formed by the Millennium Development…
The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is as old as business itself and a prominent notion in management discourse; however researchers still do not share a common definition or set of core principles. Nevertheless, there is a consensus that…
Raising funds to achieve one’s mission or Fundraising, is one of the most crucial function for any non profit organisation and yet, is rated as one of the most challenging functions as well. This is equivalent of sales for the…
Mergers and Acquisitions (or M&A as they are popularly known as ) are very common in business world. Very often we read about a new startup being acquired by a big company or merger between two established companies. India being…