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Development Alternatives (DA) Group, since the very outset, has been the
pioneer in the domain of sustainable development in India. DA aims at
achieving economic growth without overstretching the resources lest the
environment should unduly bear the brunt of development activities. Over
the last quarter of a century, DA has pioneered several Eco-solutions to
simultaneously address the issues of livelihoods, poverty and
environmental degradation.
At the very core of these
Eco-solutions, the DA group has a strategic focus on Responsible
Innovation, ‘innovation being the successful implementation of creative
ideas that promote sustainable development’. During its 25 years of
existence, it has nurtured creativity; creativity is typically seen as
the basis for innovation, and innovation is the successful
implementation of creative ideas by the organisation.
DA has evolved its pursuit of
innovation over time. Some significant variants practiced by the group
can be classified as:
• Product innovation
• Green technology innovation
• Process innovation
• Network innovation
Product Innovation
In its first phase, DA focused
on designing products for poor households and communities. These
products helped improve the quality of life and its basic needs,
consisting of clean cooking solutions (TARA cook stoves), testing water
quality (Jal-TARA water testers) and safe drinking water (Jal-TARA
filters). These products, based on sound scientific knowledge, are
tailored to respond to the needs of local communities.
Green Technology Innovation
The DA group has provided an
impetus to green technology innovations that inherently accelerate new
economic opportunities and enhance the incomes of the poor. The
portfolio of green technology innovations consist of building products
manufacturing enterprises, including TARA Micro Concrete Roofing
Technology, TARA Fly Ash Block Technology, TARA Compressed Earth Block
Technology and TARA EcoKilns. The enterprises undertake local
manufacturing of high quality, affordable building materials and also
service local markets in the process training local manpower.
Process Innovation
In the experience of the DA
Group, process innovation is crucial for scaling up of operations and
accelerating their impact. The creation of micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) requires effective methods for aggregation of these
businesses and facilitation of finance, financial incentives and
training. TARA enables its galaxy of entrepreneurs to avail of Carbon
Revenues made possible by cashing the energy and carbon savings that
result from operation of the TARA EcoKiln. An enterprise costing Rs 20
lakhs is currently earning a performance incentive of Rs 1 lakh per
annum from Carbon Reduction in addition to the profits it generates.
DA has made a commitment
towards extending the reach of capacity building services to millions of
underprivileged youth and women. In 2007, the TARA Akshar fast
track literacy programme was launched. On the strength of its
training-of-trainers initiative, over 47,000 students - mostly rural
women - have been certified literate with an ability to read and write.
Network Innovation
The diffusion of innovations -
eco-solutions - is highly effective where a strong network of enablers,
enterprises and users participate in the value chain of services. The DA
Group initiative, TARAhaat has pioneered the concept of ‘micro
franchising’ to rapidly expand its network of franchises in rural and
urban India. The network of TARAKendras provides an array of
education courses, governance services, commerce services and
communication benefits. The business model is based on sharing of
revenues across different elements in the delivery value chain and
thrives on a large number of users who benefit from the affordable
services provided by the TARAhaat network.
Future Outlook
Over these years, DA has proved
itself to be visionary and continues to pay a proactive role in building
relationships and regional partnerships with many countries. In 2004, DA
won the Schwab Foundation Outstanding Social Entrepreneurship Award for
market-based solutions to social problems. In 2005, DA initiated basin-
South Asia to develop regional partnerships. In 2007, TARA won
the LeapFrog Award of the Lemelson Foundation for know how and
technology transfer to Sri Lanka. The group endeavour as to forge new
links with existing national, regional networks to drive the
proliferation of responsible innovations that promote sustainable
development.