Oneworld Foundation India

Employing ICT tools, it collaborated with the Government and UNDP to empower rural women in Rajasthan under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act. The 'Knowledge for Community Empowerment and Enhanced Livelihood Opportunities' initiative aimed to enhance access to information about entitlements, particularly for women constituting the majority of the workforce. Utilizing user-friendly technologies like information kiosks, GPS tracking, community radio, and SMS, an ICT framework was created to improve awareness and transparent job allocation. Successful as a pilot, this model was endorsed by the Ministry of Rural Development for wider implementation, showcasing how ICT can bridge gendered knowledge gaps, empower rural women to demand rights and enhance governance transparency.

District

East Singhbhum

States

Jharkhand

With a focus on improving water access for the urban poor in Jamshedpur's informal settlements, JUSCO, a Tata Steel subsidiary, has initiated a unique citizen-corporate partnership. Providing holistic utility services, JUSCO ventured into water and waste management, horticulture, and more. The initiative emerged when the community resisted state governance decisions, leading JUSCO to pilot citizen-led projects in slums. Implementing a shared cost model, JUSCO invested in back-end infrastructure, while residents paid connection charges in installments. Employing a metered tariff system and adhering to international standards, the initiative involved residents in planning, implementation, and monitoring. With 13,000 water connections established since 2005, it received international acclaim, winning the Global Water Intelligence and JIPM Awards.

District

New Delhi

Pune

States

Delhi

Maharashtra

The System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, offers real-time air quality information and 1-3 day forecasts in major cities like Delhi and Pune. SAFAR enhances public awareness of climate-related events and predicts environmental impacts, benefiting society at large. Acknowledged by the World Meteorological Organisation for its high-quality implementation, SAFAR's stations in hospitals and medical colleges provide valuable data for research and scientific purposes, helping identify health trends such as increased bronchitis cases in specific areas.

District

Cuttack

Jagatsinghapur

Mayurbhanj

States

Odisha

Project Nandini, implemented by the Government of Odisha, introduces a unique livestock information system to aid cattle farmers in districts like Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Mayurbhanj. Through a web-based platform, Nandini establishes a reliable database of animals and their owners. It systematically tracks vital stages in the reproductive cycle of crossbred cows, providing decision support to Government departments. Farmers receive essential cattle health and reproductive information through SMS alerts, helplines, and village Common Service Centres, enabling them to enhance cattle productivity through informed measures. This pioneering initiative connects service providers and farmers through an organised online system, transforming cattle breeding into an integrated and beneficial process for over 880 villages in Odisha.

States

Karnataka

The Community-based Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Programme, initiated by the GREEN Foundation in 1996, focuses on conserving agro-biodiversity and bolstering self-reliance for small farmers. Addressing the negative impacts of intensive farming practices, the program encompasses seed preservation and sustainable agriculture methods like organic farming and bio-pesticides. It empowers women, acknowledges their vital role in agriculture, and encourages long-term sustainability through farmer groups and committees. Operating in 65 Karnataka villages, it has impacted around 4,000 farmers and inspired similar efforts across regions, even influencing the Karnataka government's Organic Farming Mission.