Santosh Abraham

Resource justice tackles gender-based violence by challenging inequality and discrimination. The practice of resource justice is about reversing power hierarchies in funding practices and stands for co-created funding agendas. Resource justice is key for creating a safer, more equal world. To know more read our blog - https://lnkd.in/g9hHQ7ua  #16days #NoExcuse #InvestInWomen #ResourceJustice #GenderEquality

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SVP India is a community of compassionate and accomplished individuals working towards an equitable India through structured engagement with NGOs. SVP India has a well-thought-out approach to philanthropy where they carefully assess and onboard credible NGOs, ensuring that the support goes where it's needed the most. They have worked closely with over 100 NGOs and our partners have already contributed over 25,000 hours of their time towards building the scale and capacity of these organizations. Fast Pitch is an event that happens annually. It is an amazing opportunity for NGOs to increase awareness of their work and to raise funds. It gives a global exposure to small grassroots like us. Each non-profit is given 5 minutes to share about and pitch their organization (you can imagine what a difficult task that is after 35 years of work!). It connects you to people world over who will be keen to learn about your cause and support you. Our Work- Very few organizations in Kolkata and in India work for the upliftment of the #ragpicker community and people consider them filthy because of their professions. Ravishankar Iyer, a story coach expert, was truly moved by the cause, and he wanted people across the globe to know what it means to be a Rag Picker: How they have been facing social ostracism for generations and nothing much has been spoken about them. With the SVP India, Tiljala Shed can speak for them and share the vision of the organization. Shilpa Kohli Vamsee Modugula Devendra Surana- all 3 are hardcore professionals and were masters in their field. I was blessed to have them as coaches. At times, they were tough on me but always, very encouraging. They put their trust in me and believed that I could do this with ease. Eventually, all the hard work paid off. Though I couldn’t finish in the top 3 slots, I ended up in the top 5 slots by the end of the event which was a great boost for a small organisation like us! Funds raised and usage- So far, we have raised INR 9,35,500 out of 25 Lakhs amount. As I said in my pitch, we would like to expand by educating more children and slums which are adjacent to our current communities. We want to give access to digital learning for all our children and we want to equip all our classrooms with computers and internet so that the children can have the best learning experience. We will also fill the gaps of our educational and skill building programs which are under-funded. Without the SVP India Fast Pitch, this goal was not achievable in such a short span of time! SVP India Fast Pitch is a very unique platform where organisations like us can get global exposure. It doesn't matter if you win or lose; what matters is that you come out as a highly skilled and a trained person and with a much larger network. Please SUPPORT US by contributing to this link - (add donation link) . It costs Rs.1200/- to support a child for an entire month. https://lnkd.in/gxh9BU85

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Life skills interactions with SHG leaders in Bihar have led to transformative outcomes, including enhanced leadership capacities, improved decision-making, and greater confidence in managing SHGs and community affairs. These leaders have developed effective communication skills, enabling them to articulate concerns, influence others, and engage stakeholders meaningfully. Financial literacy initiatives have empowered them with better budgeting, savings, and credit management, while fostering economic independence. Increased awareness of gender and social equity has encouraged advocacy against harmful practices like early marriage and gender discrimination. Strengthened networks among SHG leaders have promoted collective action, driving participation in local governance and collaborative problem-solving. Additionally, enhanced entrepreneurial skills and the pursuit of sustainable livelihood opportunities have bolstered their economic empowerment. Collectively, these outcomes empower rural women leaders to foster social change, improve economic conditions, and inspire community transformation.

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Does #economicempowerment, #acquisitionofassets, #means or #access to #production ensure #empowerment for #women? And this is a significant question which need exploration, sieving through layers narratives.. This book #meghedhakatara (also adapted into a movie) raises this question.. of course this is part of #Ghatak’s #partitiontrilogy and shows the humanitarian crisis that partition brought upon human lives, dehumanising then, sucking out the souls.. but it was more of Neeta’s story.. Neeta, educated, working, earning, having economic means yet #oppressed from living out a life with desire and agency… This week under Women Economic Empowerment Program we bring this book for discussion.

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On this International Day of Rural Women, observed every year on October 15th, we honor the invaluable contributions and unwavering resilience of rural women in India. These women are often the unsung heroes, playing a pivotal role in sustaining our agricultural economy, yet their immense efforts frequently go unrecognized. Rural women are the backbone of India’s agricultural sector, actively engaged in everything from sowing and harvesting to managing post-harvest operations. Yet, their economic potential is often constrained by patriarchal societal structures, which limit access to vital resources and exclude them from key decision-making processes. Despite these barriers, rural women continue to demonstrate remarkable strength and adaptability, especially in the face of changing climates that threaten their communities' food security and well-being. This day is a powerful reminder of the need to empower rural women by addressing the deep-rooted inequalities they face. By investing in their access to advanced agricultural technologies, quality education, and sustainable financial resources, we can unlock their full potential, allowing them to play an even greater role in the social and economic progress of their communities. As we celebrate this important day, let’s amplify the voices of rural women and recognize their rightful place at the forefront of sustainable development. #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen #EmpowerRuralWomen #SustainableDevelopment #RuralResilience

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For social impact organisations, the value of documentation cannot be overstated. Yet, many nonprofits in India lack the necessary expertise in this critical area. When field staff leave, they take with them a wealth of unrecorded knowledge and experience. This loss of institutional memory means nonprofits lose valuable, on-the-ground insights. As a result, they miss opportunities to grow and improve. Strong documentation can help nonprofits. It can capture and preserve the wisdom of project-level staff for future use. Turning field insights into a knowledge base does two things. It fills gaps left by departing staff. And, it ensures that key lessons drive the organisation to lasting impact. What are your thoughts on this? . . . . #LinkedinforNonprofits #Memes #Documentation #CSR #Nonprofits #Charity #Communications #CreativeAgency #SimitBhagatStudios

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“The youth is aware of climate change and wants to do something about it.” This is something we assume about the young people of India, especially for the educated and urban youth. But how much does the youth actually know? How confident they feel in their knowledge? How aware are they about the imoact of climate change on their own lives-their own health? How ready are they to participate in the climate action movement? Do they know how to translate their readiness into action? These are the questions that Youth Ki Awaaz, PCI India and Dalberg are collectively trying to get answers to in their latest study. The pilot survey of this study got responses from 894 young people from across India and unveiled some important insights. Despite the hopeful fact that a lot of young people did know about climate change as an issue, their understanding lagged in understanding the manifold implications of climate change. For instance, less than two-thirds of the respondents thought epidemics, food shortage, diseases from contaminated food and water can occur as a consequence of climate change while majority agreed on change in weather pattern as its consequence. This observation highlights that communication about climate change is yet to move beyond the sphere of “environmental issues” and into one where its impact is discussed more in terms of people’s everyday lives. Addressing aspects like livelihood loss or health risks using an intersectional lens makes climate change a personal everyday issue for everyone rather than a distant, abstract problem. The full report can be read here : https://lnkd.in/dgndFFi6 This study is one in the series of inspections into the realm of how climate change and its impacts are being perceived and understood by young people –the most important demographic when it comes to building resilience against climate change. As we go forward, such studies will be an important tool in determining the course of climate movement. Diving a layer deeper into understanding the climate perception landscape is as crucial as mapping the factors, effects and mitigation strategies.

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Here's what sparked my interest in sustainability: #GreenerTogether #LinkedInNewsIndia My Journey with Sustainability: From Childhood Memories to Urgent Reflections Sustainability has many layers, and my connection with it is deeply personal. My journey began in my childhood, growing up in a village surrounded by water bodies, lush orchards of mangoes, and vibrant ecosystems teeming with sparrows, squirrels, and butterflies. These were not just elements of the scenery; they were vital contributors to the ecology that shaped my understanding of balance and coexistence. Sadly, revisiting that village today is a stark reminder of what has been lost — the orchards have disappeared, the birds have gone silent, and the water bodies have vanished. The space that once thrived with life now stands as a testament to human neglect and environmental decline. The air, once fresh and rejuvenating, is now laden with fumes from vehicles. Monsoon water that once replenished our fields now drains away, leaving behind arid land, with tube wells taking on the task of watering crops at the expense of fuel and electricity consumption — a process that depletes resources and burdens the environment. Fast forward to city life, which once promised so much — comfort, convenience, progress. It didn’t take long for this illusion to shatter. Poisonous air replaced the fresh breezes, adulterated food became a daily reality, and overcrowded roads encroached on what were once vibrant parks. The city offered a stark choice between the metaphorical well and the deep blue sea, each option presenting its own environmental and social costs. These experiences have deepened my belief that the solution lies in returning to the roots of nature — the very essence from which humanity emerged. It is time to acknowledge the toll of our exploitation and move beyond the temporary solutions offered by renewables. We need to reimagine our approach and commit to replenishing the environment with new, thoughtful practices that honour the delicate balance of our ecosystems. This reflection is not just a call for global action but a reminder that individual contributions matter in the fight for sustainability. Let us all become catalysts for change and envision a greener planet, #GreenerTogether. The Climate Reality Project - India & South Asia

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The Inequality of Heat: Heatwave Leaves Delhi's Poor, Marginalised Gasping for Breath Marginalised by society and heat The unequal impacts of heat on vulnerable communities, which also include the homeless, is a major cause of concern. Delhi’s heat wave this season has claimed more than 275 lives; and like people in the informal sector, the homeless and destitute have also been badly affected. According to a report released by CHDIndia Centre for Holistic Development, an NGO based in Delhi, more than 200 homeless people have died in Delhi this summer due to the unrelenting heatwave. Between June 11 and 19 more than 190 people died due to the heat wave. Speaking about the alarming number of homeless people who died due to the heatwave, Sunil Kumar Aledia of the CHD, a member of the National Forum for Homeless Housing Rights (NFHHR), told The Wire: “The homeless are one of the most vulnerable communities due to weather conditions. The impact of climate change is more on the vulnerable sections of the society.” He further said that heat-related deaths have increased over the past couple of years. This year has been the worst. According to Aledia, 75 people died due to heat-related ailments in Delhi last year. This year, the number has risen to more than 200. “This is an alarming number. We have to understand the seriousness of climate change and how it is impacting the vulnerable sections,” he said. Aledia took his findings to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the rights body has responded by serving notice to the chief secretary, Government of Delhi, asking for a report on the matter within four weeks. “The contents [of Aledia’s complaint] are indeed shocking and if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights,” the NHRC has said. Data procured from the Zonal Integrated Police Network, Ministry of Home Affairs, and tabulated by Aledia shows that homeless people account for 80% of the unclaimed bodies of those who died due to heatwaves. #NHRC #HomelessDeath #HeatWave #NoMoreHomelessDeath #Vulnerable #DUSIB TheWire.in @NikitaJain https://lnkd.in/dcvK2hwz

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The story of a village in West Bengal, looks like any other village in India, depicting a poor, hand-to-mouth situation, and a growing feeling of hopelessness in the community. A community with small land holdings, some linked with SHGs, some not, has been growing only one cash crop, because of lack of arable water during summer. Located in North Sundarban, this village has enough salty backwater, but the rain-filled arable water ponds, do not sustain long. Men are engaged in farming, and women are engaged in cattle and poultry rearing, backyard vegetable gardens, and other activities. 475 households in 5 Paras, with a population of 2850,now face a fast growing problem of labour Migration, in the race to earn more money, to cover inflation and failing crops, due to climate change. AHEAD Initiatives and their Partner CSO have done commendable work to promote backyard vegetable gardening, organic farming, seed conservation, reviving astonishing local varieties of rice, and forming open learning centres, but were struggling to create sustainable livelihoods. A 3-day GLIDE Workshop organised for the village, from 18-20 October, helped the 30 Participants, design 11 Group Livelihoods for themselves, and take back detailed Business Plans for the same. Click here to have a glimpse of the workshop : https://lnkd.in/drykCgMK What more..? A visit to the participants of the GLIDE workshop (conducted in September), came in as a pleasant surprise, with 6 Group livelihoods started, and one already sailing on cloud nine, with an unexpected profit from the Dussehra Mela. We will share a detailed picture of all the Group livelihoods emerging from the series of 9 workshops (for AHEAD Initiatives), after December 2024. Those wanting to know more about what the GLIDE Livelihood approach is, and how it is weaving a magic in rural India, can see the web page link in the Comments.

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We need to see Commons and Commoning as a pathway to inclusive and sustainable development.

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In a recent Financial Express (India) article, Himanshu Sikka, Project Director at USAID-supported SAMRIDH initiative, highlights the critical need for enhanced healthcare funding to combat climate change-related public health challenges in India. Mr. Sikka emphasizes prioritizing government and private sector investments to build a climate-resilient healthcare ecosystem. He argues that this approach is crucial for strengthening India's healthcare infrastructure against future climate shocks and ensuring Universal Health Coverage. The article provides context on the global health impacts of climate change, underscoring the urgency of addressing these challenges in the Indian healthcare sector. Link to the article 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfU8VBRp USAID India | Ashwajit Singh | Manjunath Shankar | Ritika Pandey | Aanchal Jain | Sudheer Nadipally | Vinaina Suri #UniversalHealthCoverage #Budget2024 #ClimateChange #Healthcare #India #Budget #PublicHealth #ClimateCrisis #SAMRIDH #Healthcare #SustainableDevelopment #GlobalHealth #ClimateAction #HealthEquity #HealthForAll

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🌍 World Mental Health Day: It's Time to Prioritize Our Mental Well-being 🧠💚 At Muktaa Charitable Foundation, we’ve dedicated the past two decades to addressing critical health issues like HIV and tuberculosis. In the last two years, we’ve expanded our focus to include mental health, recognizing that mental well-being is just as vital as physical health. I recently had the opportunity to discuss these pressing issues on a Posh Bihari podcast, where we covered the importance of mental health care, breaking stigmas, and creating supportive communities. I’d love for you to check it out and join the conversation. 🎙️ Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/d8Q_FyFi Let’s work together to prioritize mental health not just today, but every day. It’s time we build a healthier, more compassionate world for all. 🌟 #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #MuktaaMentalHealthHelpline #HealthCareForAll #MentalWellbeing

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Reliable data on civil society and philanthropy in India is hard to come by. One currently prevalent narrative claims that this is a ‘golden age’ for philanthropy, with international funding holding its own, corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund... Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gu3j8bsq https://lnkd.in/gu3j8bsq

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A fantastic piece on funder-fundee dynamics. Donor education should become an integral part of funding mechanisms because while the intent of the funder might be good, it is also directly, more often than not, linked to indicator metrics as a corporate selling services. It is essential to differentiate between services for commercial good and services linked to behaviour change and social impact because the latter is always, as the author says, an outcome of continuous and sustainable effort. It's also essential for companies to look at hiring CSR execs with development sector experience because more often than not CSR gets clubbed with other corporate functions and its success/failure is seen in the same lens as corporate metrics, which is akin to comparing apples with oranges. CSR Execs with substantial sector experience can not only guide corporates and businesses to make wiser decisions regarding invesment like supporting things like organisational development and also give them perspective of what it takes for an NGO to build and execute programs for better impact on ground. I will also say that NGOs also benefit learning better reporting formats and donor funding also brings in accountability wrt both timelines and impact. There are valuable lessons in this for both perhaps and it's only when the two mix well together that we can perhaps see smoother channels of funding and implementation on ground. #CSR #philanthropy #donorrelations #ngo #developmentsector

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Most useful contemporary Course to strengthen the CSR ecosystem

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