Ashwidea

Ashwidea We enable social impact and sustainability through services and solutions for organisations & people

20/08/2026

So, one of the programs our NGO partner is running is addressing multiple issues at one location, in this case near bangalore ( hard to say what is in what is not in blore these days).
The reason is all these are interconnected. We start from agriculture, link to consumers, self sufficiency and of course adapting to climate change as well.
So, one can look at it from multiple lens, based on their perspective
So write to us at [email protected] or message us here
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We don't see things becoming easier for CSR folks! I mean every govt organisation, SSE, marathons, employee engagement l...
18/08/2026

We don't see things becoming easier for CSR folks!
I mean every govt organisation, SSE, marathons, employee engagement looking to tap it. This just keeps adding responsibility and yes we can possibily take the eye off the ball. Not of course if you are Simeon!
So here is to catching these balls to make juggling slightly easier for you.
Write to us at [email protected] or message us here

04/08/2026

So yeah, basically what the thumbnail says!
We have been doing this for over a decade; you can see from the greying that we speak from that.
Wise or not, I let you judge.
However, we have been at it, supporting donors, non-profits and social enterprises in their endeavour to create impact.
Like, share and follow us to know more or email us at [email protected]

Current annual CSR spend is 40,000 crores, before one starts doing the math on what it can and cannot achieve. Look at t...
31/07/2026

Current annual CSR spend is 40,000 crores, before one starts doing the math on what it can and cannot achieve. Look at the context. This is just a little over half of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation budget. Let's also understand this is not really public funds. These are a company's private funds, which it can use to improve the lives of the communities it works in. They can also decide how wide the community is it only my city, or pan-India ( if I am an IT services company, then my work is across the world and not just India)
This 40,000 cr will not improve the lives of all Indians. It's a catalyst. It's like a proof of concept that works or doesn't work in a specific context.
For these funds, companies have to submit where they spent it, whom they gave, whether they have all the relevant docs and more.
Not to forget the amount of time spent to submit all this.
Why do we have so much accountability for private funds for public use but not a matching accountability from the respective govt departments?
How many govt departments and districts are saying, hey, this works; this company spent 1 cr, improving learning outcomes by 20 %, here is matching 1 cr?
That is what CSR is supposed to unlock and figure out models which the govt has not tried?
Here is to more accountability.
I wrote a similar one when overall spend was 26,000 crores....you can read here and tell me if I have improved or regressed in writing skills.
( Pl remember I am in my mid-40s now)
https://www.ashwidea.in/corporate-social-responsibility-india-covid/

I love pizza. Maybe as much as I love Cheese.As much as my digestive system hates it and reminds me the next day. That d...
21/07/2026

I love pizza. Maybe as much as I love Cheese.
As much as my digestive system hates it and reminds me the next day.
That does not stop me from using it as an analogy to my work, which makes you wonder if I keep thinking of food at work.
(What's wrong about it !)

But like a good pizza, CSR/ Philanthropic projects and programs are a lot about many things coming together. From a Good NGO partner well connected to the ground realities, interventions which create change on the ground, Monitoring which ensures everyone is focused on relevant aspects and of course, volunteers who bring in their selflessness & can-do spirit.

We bring all of these together more often than not. That's what we offer as CSR as a Service ( CAAS)... Do you think we can have a better name for it?
So, if you have a large CSR/ Philathropic teams or a one-person army managing it, we can be of help.
Write to us to know more at [email protected] or DM us.
(Also watch Chef's Table Pizza on Netflix, it's just amaazzze)

17/07/2026

Over the years, the expectations of folks from CSR have gone up significantly. While budgets have gone up, programs have become complicated. It's often one or a partial resource handling all this and more.
We have been managing multiple CSR/ philathropic projects across India for almost a decade ( yup, growing old!, greying, etc), and we will hopefully keep going for a few decades.
So if you need help for a short while or longer with your CSR programs, write to us at [email protected] or DM us here
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Hi there, Sharing our monthly newsletter, which captures a snapshot of our work and some developments in the CSR space. ...
15/07/2026

Hi there,
Sharing our monthly newsletter, which captures a snapshot of our work and some developments in the CSR space.

If you are yawning like us in the middle of the week, just blame it on the World Cup. It has been brilliant and has its share of controversy, but which World Cup does not?
Write to us at [email protected] or DM us if you want the newsletter in your inbox.
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13/07/2026

Snakebites lead to over 50,000 fatalities. These are preventable. Our NGO partner has been working on all aspects to reduce it. Of course, as you might be aware, snakes are vital to farmers by eating rodents, hence reducing crop loss and are a key part of the ecosystem.
So while improving health, we are also ensuring co-existence with these lovely creatures.
Write to us at [email protected] if you want to support it via your CSR/Philathropic initiatives
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08/07/2026

Hi there,
While this video is about skilling, we also wanted to share our approach in many locations in India. In the same locations, we are also working on other aspects, such as agriculture, which involves both men and women. On increasing water availability, which again feeds into improved agri-productivity and finally improves learning outcomes, especially for high school children, creating career pathways to break the cycle of poverty.
If you want to know more or support this work, write to us at [email protected] or DM us here.
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The inclusion of CSR via the SSE is hailed as a milestone, primarily because NGOs now get up to 3 years to utilise funds...
06/07/2026

The inclusion of CSR via the SSE is hailed as a milestone, primarily because NGOs now get up to 3 years to utilise funds instead of rushing them within the same year.

But let’s look past the headlines. A company could already declare a project as "ongoing" to spread compliance over 3 years. The SSE opens a new avenue, but it doesn't increase the total quantum of available funds. It’s the same pool.

So far, ~20 non-profits have raised ₹50+ crores, with a few large ones capturing the lion’s share. If 100+ NGOs get listed, how will smaller grassroots teams stand out without massive resources? To get visibility on an exchange, you need marketing. Yet, if an NGO invests in communication, the backlash is immediate: "Why waste donor money?" It’s a frustrating catch-22.

Why treat CSR as a catch-all for all social impact, forcing managers to back projects misaligned with their goals?

Most CSR folks conduct rigorous due diligence and invest years with an NGO to achieve real impact. They shouldn't be forced into rigid compliance boxes.
What we truly need is a system that unlocks larger, flexible philanthropic capital by blending corporate and personal giving.

Imagine this layered approach:
Corporate CSR: Funds the rigid infrastructure (e.g., upgrading a school building).
Employees: Donate touchpoints, such as school supplies.
Founders/CEOs: Step up with personal philanthropic capital to fund what CSR legally cannot—like revolving funds for building repairs, teacher training, or monsoon preparedness.

What does the leader get? Publicity, acknowledgement, and a genuine understanding of the community. Let's get imaginative and tap into the larger philanthropic goodness in all of us.
To my network: Are you seeing an appetite for blending corporate CSR with flexible, personal giving? Let's discuss below.

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