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Framework / Toolkit / App
  • 1 March 2025

Impact Assessment and Evaluation Guide

The guidebook will serve as a valuable resource, equipping our target audience with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts, processes and knowledge. In the landscapoe of development initiatives, the terms Monitoring and Evaluation and Impact Assessment (MEIA) are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion and inefficiency. This guidebook serves to provide clarity by defining each concept distinctly as recognising these nuances is essential for effective decision-making and resource allocation in the development sector.
Media Article
  • 1 July 2025

WoB-Governance Article Published

The article expresses that Indian companies are overlooking a critical talent pool by failing to support women in mid-career leadership roles. The authors, highlight that while many women start in corporate roles, a significant percentage drop off at the mid-career stage. They emphasize that traditional leadership systems often lack the flexibility and support needed for women, leading to a “leaky pipeline” and a lack of gender-diverse boardrooms. The article advocates for rethinking governance and creating more inclusive systems to retain and empower female leaders, especially on boards in the non-profit sector.
Media Article
  • 1 August 2023

Bolstering Gender Equity on Boards of Non Profits

This article showcases the impact of the Women on Boards (WOB) program through the case study of Swetha Prakash, a corporate professional who transitioned to an advisory role at Satya Special School. The article highlights how women on boards bring diverse skill sets, empathy, and a unique perspective that complements traditional male leadership. It discusses the low representation of women on both corporate and nonprofit boards and attributes it to factors like time constraints and family responsibilities. The program, a collaboration between ISDM, Dasra, and Governance Counts, aims to bridge this gap by training experienced women and placing them in leadership roles to foster better governance, diversity, and on-the-ground impact.
Media Article
  • 1 June 2022

First Cohort of Women on Boards Program for Senior Women Leaders by ISDM Concludes

This article reports on the successful completion of the inaugural “Women on Boards” (WOB) program by the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), in collaboration with Dasra and Governance Counts. The program trained 24 senior women leaders from the corporate sector to serve on the boards of social sector organizations. The initiative aims to address the lack of gender diversity on nonprofit boards and leverage the skills of corporate professionals for greater social impact. The program’s participants will now be matched with organizations to provide mentorship and strategic guidance, with a focus on creating sustainable and scalable change.
Media Article
  • 1 June 2022

ISDM Completes the First Batch of Women on Boards (WOB) Program for Senior Women Leaders from Corporate World to Join Boards of Social Sector Organisations

This article reports on the successful completion of the inaugural “Women on Boards” (WOB) program by the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), in collaboration with Dasra and Governance Counts. The program trained 24 senior women leaders from the corporate sector to serve on the boards of social sector organizations. The initiative aims to address the lack of gender diversity on nonprofit boards and leverage the skills of corporate professionals for greater social impact. The program’s participants will now be matched with organizations to provide mentorship and strategic guidance, with a focus on creating sustainable and scalable change.
Case Study
  • 1 August 2025

Strengthening Governance, Deepening Impact

This case study is the story of the Association for Sustainable Community Development (ASSCOD), a grassroots nonprofit in Tamil Nadu, and its transition from a founder-led organization to one with strengthened governance. The article highlights how ASSCOD addressed key challenges by collaborating with the Indian School of Development Management’s (ISDM) Women on Boards (WoB) program. It details how a corporate professional, Sunanda Rangarajan, helped establish a formal advisory board, streamline operations, and empower local women. The result is a more sustainable, community-owned, and impactful model for social change.
Blog
  • 1 February 2024

From Chikankari to Kalamkari: How ‘Slow Fashion’ Contributes To Sustainability

Within the dynamic realm of Indian fashion, a subtle revolution is taking place – one that advocates for the principles of deliberate and conscientious fashion. Grounded in India’s abundant legacy of textiles and crafts, this movement offers a sustainable alternative to the rapid and mass-produced fashion industry.
Academic / Journal Article
  • 1 August 2025

The framing of sustainability by different stakeholder groups in India: Perspectives, consequences and implications

Achieving sustainable development in emerging economies requires engagement across business, government, and civil society, yet framings of sustainability diverge. This study examines how Indian stakeholders interpret sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) through diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational framing tasks. Using 32 semi-structured interviews and a focus group with eight stakeholders, we find two parallel but distinct frames. Sustainability is linked to environmental issues, private sector solutions, and business-case motivations, while CSR is linked to social issues, state responsibility, and regulatory drivers. These parallel framings persist through a process of frame separation, posing challenges for global alignment and holistic policy.
Paper / Report
  • 1 November 2024

Outcomes Readiness Framework

The Outcomes Readiness (OR) Framework provides a structured approach to assess and strengthen the ability of nonprofits to plan, deliver, and adapt programmes for measurable outcomes. It identifies three key dimensions—outcomes culture, outcomes-oriented systems and processes, and programme-level capabilities—that collectively enable organisations to transition from input-focused to outcomes-focused work. Developed through literature review, practitioner input, and field-testing, the OR Framework supports funders and nonprofits in aligning intent, practice, and performance for social impact.
Paper / Report
  • 1 March 2025

Impact or Illusion: Current Practices and Challenges to Impact Measurement

This report explores the evolving landscape of impact measurement, drawing on insights from practitioners, ecosystem experts, and organisations working in education, healthcare, and livelihood. While impact is often understood differently across stakeholders, the study highlights key themes shaping impact narratives Systemic Change, Community Empowerment, and Women’s Empowerment-revealing how different organisational models influence their measurement approaches. The report talks about common challenges-capacity constraints, funding limitations, and operational barriers-and explores practical strategies to address them.
Framework / Toolkit / App
  • 1 March 2025

Impact Assessment & Evaluation Guide

The purpose of this guidebook is threefold: firstly, to clarify the definitions and distinctions of Impact Assessment (IA), Monitoring, and Evaluation (M&E); secondly, to highlight the unique challenges inherent in the sector, emphasising the significance of (ISDM) advisory services in providing a holistic view to undertaking evaluations and impact assessment; and thirdly, to outline ISDM’s approach to impact assessment and evaluation, specifically tailored to its target audience.
Case Study
  • 1 April 2025

Ask, and they receive

FarmerChat, an AI assistant, is helping farmers across India and abroad get quick, relevant answers to questions about better farming practices, loans, market prices, subsidies, and much more. The result? Improved agricultural productivity Kothapalli Jyothi (32) has hitched up her bright green-and-pink saree, and is plucking onions, brinjals, tomatoes and radishes as she walks nimbly through rows of vegetable crops. Behind her is a sea of fiery red chillies, glistening sharply in the afternoon sun. This healthy produce, and bountiful…
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