Technology for Social Change and Organisational Efficiency

Harness technology and digital tools to address complex social challenges, enabling innovation and creating contextual, scalable, and sustainable solutions that also enhance operational and organisational efficiency.

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U&I: Nurturing Empathy for EffectivenessCase Study

2 March 2022

U&I: Nurturing Empathy for Effectiveness

U&I is a volunteer-driven charitable organization based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. It provides non-formal education to underprivileged children in 25 cities around India, through a network of over 2,300 volunteers. The casestudy engages with the ways in which conscious design can nurture structures, spaces and processes that enable the integration of an organization’s mission and volunteer model with the leadership’s core principles of empathetic care and authentic relationships. It provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on how designing for empathy can produce tangible programmatic impact, develop in-house leadership and build a self-sustaining organizational culture and volunteer ecosystem.

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U&I: Nurturing Empathy for EffectivenessCase Study

2 March 2022

U&I: Nurturing Empathy for Effectiveness

U&I is a volunteer-driven charitable organization based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. It provides non-formal education to underprivileged children in 25 cities around India, through a network of over 2,300 volunteers. The casestudy engages with the ways in which conscious design can nurture structures, spaces and processes that enable the integration of an organization’s mission and volunteer model with the leadership’s core principles of empathetic care and authentic relationships. It provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on how designing for empathy can produce tangible programmatic impact, develop in-house leadership and build a self-sustaining organizational culture and volunteer ecosystem.

The Power of Data for ImpactPart I: A study of data-driven practices & solutions in the social sectorPaper / Report

2 February 2024

The Power of Data for ImpactPart I: A study of data-driven practices & solutions in the social sector

This report, published by ISDM’s Centre for Data Science & Social Impact (CDSSI), examines how data-driven strategies are transforming the social sector. It explores best practices and real-world examples of data collection, management, analysis, and use by Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs). Highlighting gaps in awareness, capacity, and infrastructure, the report calls for SPOs to assess their data maturity using CDSSI’s Data Maturity Assessment framework. It advocates for targeted capacity building, ecosystem collaboration, and resource alignment to harness data for better decision-making and greater social impact.

e-Choupal: Reinventing Market Linkages in AgricultureCase Study

1 October 2021

e-Choupal: Reinventing Market Linkages in Agriculture

This case-let presents the model by which ITC's “e-Choupal” initiative helped redefine how farmers in some states in India could sell their produce at fair prices by eliminating intermediaries and added transportation costs. The model helped find a participatory approach to the many challenges that plague the agrarian sector in India. The case-let helps readers understand the context of the problem with evidence and provides details of the e-Choupal model and its positive impact on the farmer’s collective.

Demystifying Social Impact Funding: A Landscape of Diverse Players and ObjectivesBlog

21 April 2024

Demystifying Social Impact Funding: A Landscape of Diverse Players and Objectives

In today's world, where financial resources are increasingly sought after for addressing complex social and environmental challenges, social impact funding has emerged as a powerful tool for positive change. But what exactly is social impact funding? Who are the key players involved, and what are their motivations?This blog delves into the world of social impact funding, shedding light on its diverse forms, motivations of investors, and the crucial role it plays in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.Understanding the...

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Event Report
  • 1 June 2023

CDSSI Centre Launch

The Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) was launched on June 16, 2023, in Bangalore with two panel discussions. Over 60 experts in the field of data science (focused on social development) attended the convening. The launch aimed to connect Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs) with funders, academia, tech enablers, and other experts to drive rapid adoption of data and data science by the social sector.They contributed their insights, experiences, and recommendations on the intersection of data science and social impact, and the possibilities, good practices, challenges, successes, failures, and emerging trends in utilising data science for driving positive change.
Media Article
  • 1 June 2023

Indian School Of Development Management Launches Centre For Data Science And Social Impact With Citi At Koramangala In Bangalore

Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) and Citicorp Finance (India) Limited announced the launch of Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) to leverage data and data science in the social sector by boosting collaboration across research and capacity building, as well as by promoting knowledge sharing in Bangalore. Launched in Bengaluru, CDSSI will connect Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs) with funders, academia, tech enablers and other experts, to drive rapid adoption of data and data science by the social sector. CDSSI will also provide a platform to share best practices and insights, as well as demonstrate how SPOs utilise data to quickly identify challenges, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
Case Study
  • 2 October 2024

A Game A Day Keeps Malnutrition Away

Nourishing Schools’ toolkit uses educational games to teach nutrition and hygiene among Grades 5–9 in Rajasthan. Baseline and midline survey data showed severe thinness dropped from 22 % to 12 %, adequate nutrition rose to 56 %, handwashing increased from 0 % to 99 %, and fruit/vegetable consumption went from 59–89 %. Launched in 2013, the intervention now covers ~95k children across 330+ schools. Its two-year program, monitored via monthly surveys and school engagement, fosters behaviour change through hands-on learning and garden activities
Media Article
  • 1 June 2023

Centre For Data Science And Social Impact Launched In Bengaluru

Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) and Citicorp Finance (India) Limited have announced the launch of the Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) in Bengaluru to leverage data and data sciences in the social sector. The centre is aimed at helping social purpose organisations connect with funders, academia and tech enablers to accelerate the adoption of data sciences by the social sector and demonstrate how SPOs can utilise data to identify challenges and solve problems,
Case Study
  • 1 September 2024

Drawing Inspiration From Data

Mumbai’s Saturday Art Class (SArC) conducted a nine‑month visual arts and SEL intervention (June 2023–March 2024) across 550+ students. Baseline, midline, and endline assessments measured six behavioural outcomes—joy, imagination, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, perseverance—and also respect and confidence. Joy scores rose from 4.03 to 4.31, imagination from 3.77 to 4.31, with observable improvements in other metrics. Data-driven insights led to government partnerships (MCGM, Nagaland), expanded reach (178k+ students), and ongoing evaluation to standardize the model
Media Article
  • 1 January 2024

Data-Driven Social Transformation: The Vision And Initiatives Of CDSSI

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and President, ISDM Can you share the vision behind CDSSI? The Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) endeavours to catalyse a transformative shift in the social sector’s approach to data. CDSSI will do this by empowering Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs) to understand and harness the power of data and data science to design their interventions for far greater sustained impact at scale and also strengthen their operations, decision-making, and program delivery.
Case Study
  • 1 October 2024

Collecting Evidence To Create Change

Udayan Care’s Beyond 18 study (2019) surveyed 435 care leavers across five states to understand post-CCI challenges. It identified eight essential “spheres” for effective aftercare: financial, legal, housing, education, life skills, health, emotional wellbeing, and social support. Based on this evidence, three programs—Aftercare Outreach Programme (AOP), LIFT fellowship, and FiT Families Together—were designed. For example, AOP aided 536 youths with mentoring and placements (200+ employed), while FiT supported reintegration during COVID. Monthly tracking tools inform program iterations and nationwide advocacy
Media Article
  • 1 January 2025

Isdm And Capgemini Introduce Datasights To Streamline Data Access For Social Sector

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) has launched ISDM DataSights, powered by Capgemini, an innovative, open-access platform designed to address the critical data challenges faced by the social sector.
Media Article
  • 1 January 2025

Isdm Launches The Datasights Portal Powered By Capgemini

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) has launched ISDM DataSights, powered by Capgemini, an innovative, open-access platform designed to address the critical data challenges faced by the social sector. The platform consolidates diverse datasets, analysis tools, and visualisations, making reliable, actionable data easily accessible to Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs). ISDM DataSights was introduced to leaders in the development and technology sectors, marking a major step toward data-driven solutions for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Blog
  • 1 January 2025

Code4Change Is A Great Platform To Bring Different Stakeholders Together

Team DevSol4, which won the first edition of Code4Change 2023-24, shares why more data science professionals should participate in this unique event CDSSI held the first edition of Code4Change 2023-24 (C4C) at the SAIACS CEO Centre on May 24 in Bengaluru. The event culminated with team DevSol4 being declared the winner. The team, from Development Solutions (DS), included Jagan (MEL Manager), Agrima (Project Manager), and Research
Media Article
  • 2 May 2024

Isdm’S Code4Change Hackathon Crowns Winner In Data Science For Social Good’

A unique event that combines data science prowess with development sector challenges, the Code4Change Hackathon 2023-24 (C4C), held by the Indian School of Development Management’s (ISDM) Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) came to a glittering conclusion at the SAIACS CEO Centre in Bengaluru on May 24. Team DevSol4, from Delhi, composed of Jagannath R, Agrima Sahore, Sidra Ali, and Mallika Bhave from Development Solutions, a MERL+ services-based organisation in New Delhi focusing on strategic and actionable consulting across development sector stakeholders, was announced as the winner.
Event Report
  • 1 January 2025

Data Potential For Social Impact: Isdm Introduces Datasights Portal With Capgemini’S Power

Data forms the backbone of AI and analytics, but its accuracy is critical. Incomplete or incorrect data can lead to unreliable AI outputs. The journey of data science is just beginning, and platforms must evolve from offering just data to providing insights, actions, and measurable impact. Success depends on user adoption and collaboration. Partnerships with social purpose organizations (SPOs), data scientists, and funders are essential to democratize decision-making and drive meaningful outcomes.

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