Enabling Social Change Through #CollaborativeAction

Ahmedabad | 14 September 2019

The first edition of the Dasra Philanthropy Forum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat brought together philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, government, media and key stakeholders from the sector to discuss collaborative action towards achieving India’s development goals.
Through this edition of the DPF, our intent was to build a strong community of funders, nonprofits, sector experts and government officials to foster learning and action on the development sector and shine a spotlight on Ahmedabad as one of the key cities to invest philanthropic capital and CSR funds.

Experience Dasra Philanthropy Forum, Ahmedabad 

Session Highlights 

The Changing Face of Indian Philanthropy

​One of the key takeaways from the day was that collaboration is challenging, as it involves various stakeholders with different approaches and schools of thought, coming together to form a coalition for change. However, it is the only way to create lasting impact that can transform a nation and enable a billion to thrive with dignity and equity.

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Catalysts of Change: Empowering Communities 

Voices from the Ground: Manav Sadhna

Voices From the Ground - VIKAS Centre for Development 

Catalysts of Change: Empowering Communities

A narrative session featuring beneficiaries from marginalized communities in Gujarat as they share excerpts from their journey of social upliftment.

​Engaging with salt-pan workers of Kutch as they relate their experiences with social impact initiatives within their community.

An engaging session on empowering communities through the development of grassroots leaders working as change agents. ​

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Collaborative Action: A Field Approach

Investing in Adolescents: An Age of Opportunity

Sanitation in India: Moving Beyond Building Toilets

​The panel on Dasra Adolescents Collaborative featured NGO leaders like Aakash Sethi (CEO, QUEST Alliance), Aparajita Gogoi (Executive Director, Centre for Catalyzing Change), and Ranjan Panda (Deputy Director - Programmes and Planning, Child in Need Institute), each of whom elaborated on factors preventing adolescents from having access to quality education and contributing to the lack of agency in their lives.

The panel discussion with Apoorva Oza (Chief Executive, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India)), Bijal Brahmbhatt (Director, Mahila Housing SEWA Trust) and  Prof. Dinesh Mehta (Professor Emeritus, CEPT University) addressed the need to look beyond the metrics on toilet construction and the need to collaborate with the government to create universal access to private toilets.

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Collaboration for Scaling impact

​The need to focus on intelligent programming and working seamlessly with present systems and government was highlighted by Bhawani Singh Shekhawat (CEO, The Akshaya Patra Foundation UK), who spoke about the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s mission to eliminate social inequality and not hunger, with their school meals programme being an instrument to create a more equitable society. 

To know more, read the detailed report: 

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