Collective action has been an integral part of Development Alternatives’ approach to creating impact at scale. In this blog, written by CEO, Development Alternatives, Shrashtant Patara, discusses DA’s efforts in collective action and social innovation in entrepreneurship to generate widespread impact. It also outlines how DA has been prioritizing building partnerships, engaging deeply with rural communities, and promoting entrepreneurship among women and youth.

Land degradation, desertification and drought are pressing crises that impact ecosystems, agriculture, biodiversity and human societies. India is experiencing land degradation and desertification, driven by natural factors and human activities. In this blog, Dr Swayamprabha Das discusses various measures India is taking to counter this issue.

Technology innovation involves developing new products or processes that disrupt the way we work and live. In this blog, Dr Soumen Maity describes TARA’s work on profitable implementation of creative ideas that brings about a disruptive change in people's lives. He explains how TARA focuses on developing technologies that are climate-friendly, resource-efficient, socially acceptable and profitable.

In this blog, Zeenat Niazi discusses the need for novel forms of learning to plan for resilient water systems in human settlements. Resilient systems require flexible internal structures that can adapt or transform to deliver desired outcomes in response to changing circumstances. Learning mechanisms within governance and management systems are critical to ensure adaptive capacities. However, most monitoring and evaluation systems used by local governance in India are merely trackers and do not bridge with learning to support planning and plan implementation. The editorial suggests four areas of consideration to address this issue.

Gender equality is crucial for any nation's economic growth and development. India is witnessing women entrepreneurs breaking gender norms and making a place for themselves in decision-making. They are being included in mainstream economic activities and co-creating entrepreneurship solutions that align with the local community's needs. In this blog, Kanika Verma discusses how women entrepreneurs are creating numerous job opportunities and solving local challenges. She highlights the ways women entrepreneurs have come together, creating solidarity networks and unlocking resources that provide access to renewable energy and digital technology.

Radio Bundelkhand is a community radio station that empowers the local community in the Bundelkhand region of India. In this blog, Maj. Gen Rahul Bhardwaj and Aakriti Uttam discusses the radio station's work in climate change adaptation and other development information in the region and its transforming actions and decisions at the grassroots towards a more climate-resilient and sustainable society.

India needs to generate 10 million jobs yearly, more so in rural India, where over 70% of the population resides. In this blog, Kanika Verma highlights the various pioneering work done by Development Alternatives in promoting entrepreneurship in rural India. It also discusses the transformative power of ‘Digital Infrastructure’ as a driver of entrepreneurship-led job creation.

Development solutions are needed to promote green and inclusive growth and address multiple layers of challenges. In this blog, Kanika Verma discusses how green and inclusive entrepreneurship can contribute towards constructing sustainable and resilient micro-economies. While observing that there is a ‘missing middle’ in the global policy framework, she argues that a suite of instruments, created collaboratively, is needed to enable an inclusive and green transition in economies.

In this blog, Dr Swayam Prabha Das discusses the importance of nature-based solutions in tackling the adverse effects of climate change on infrastructure and society. This blog explores the various governmental and non-governmental initiatives in promoting nature-based solutions as part of sustainability and conservation efforts. The present events have made it clear that only community-based natural resource management can help conserve ecosystems and generate economic opportunities.

In this blog by Zeenat Niazi, she reminds us of the profound relevance of Gandhian principles on this World Habitat Day, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. She explores the urgency of addressing resource stress, pollution, and climate change in our settlements. The editorial delves into the spectrum of challenges- from data driven policies-to-practice approach to changing citizen behaviours.