The Social Innovation Blog

YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE - Call for Youth-Produced Films

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:56:00 +0000

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

*Deadline: December 10, 2009

The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival in partnership with Adobe Youth Voices seeks youth-produced film, video and animated works on human rights issues made by youth ages 19 and under for its third annual YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE program.

Armed with digital cameras, computers and their own boundless creativity, young people across the globe are bravely exposing human rights issues faced by themselves and their communities. YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE provides a platform for youth to share their perspectives with audiences worldwide.

Click here for more information and to submit your film: http://www.hrw.org/en/iff/youth-producing-change/call-for-submissions

Selected films will travel to:

Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, New York : June 10-24, 2010
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, London : March 2011 (dates tba)
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, San Francisco: March 2011 (dates tba)
Selected films will be included in the 2010 Traveling Film Festival
Films will be added to the Adobe Youth Voices and Human Rights Watch websites
And distributed to teachers throughout the United States

To watch the films from our first year of YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE please click here: http://www.adobe.ca/cfusion/ayv/index.cfm?event=detail&ayvid=223

Children's Art, Music and Film Festival 2009 - Chennai India

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Are you in Chennai, India this November?

If you are in Chennai between 1st and 20th of November then you should participate in the second edition of "Art, Arattai, Aarpattam - Children's Art, Music and Film Festival 2009". It's a season for children, their families and teachers – to experience and experiment with art, to express, to challenge, to inspire and have fun together. The theme for this year is "Girls are Super Stars".

This festival is organised by NalandaWay Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, Tata Indicom, US Consulate, The Hindu Young World, Star Vijay TV, Radio One, Growing Opportunity, Goethe-Institut, Hand in Hand, Indo Korea Centre, Satyam Cinemas and Sangam Cinemas.

Festival Highlights:

* 20 days of street theatre, story telling, dance, films, arts for children, youth and adults

* 7 major concerts/musical by international troupes from South Africa, India and USA

* Over 320 performances in 100 locations across the 5 cities in the state

* 12 part TV serial depicting six real stories that capture the story of a girl who have won against odds directed by famous Tamil Film directors on Star Vijay TV

* Competitions for children in over 2700 villages, towns and towns across 32 districts of Tamil Nadu

* Over 50,000 children directly participating in the festival

* International Children Films and Documentary Festival - Films from India, US, Germany, and Korea.

* Grand Finale to mark the 20th anniversary of the "Child rights convention" – 20th November

All the children performing at the festival are from situations where they have been trafficked, forced into child labour, abused, or have been vulnerable to these evils. Through this festival we provide an opportunity for children we work with to raise their voice and express their ideas through music, theatre and art.

For detailed events schedule visit http://www.nalandaway.org/aaa. For all queries please email shrutidas@nalandaway.org.

19 Free Webinars for Nonprofits - November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:08:00 +0000

From Wild Apricot Blog, here are 19 free online training opportunities of interest to associations, charities, and other not-for-profit organizations -- on topics from software and social media, to management, fundraising, and more:

19 Free Webinars for Nonprofits - November 2009

Serving the Conscious Consumer: How to Build Your Nonprofit’s Brand, Understand the New Consumer and Offer Unparalleled Value
Presented by Mirm Kriegel, who leads the philanthropy and social enterprise practice at branding and integrated marketing firm BBMG, this free teleconference is part of the Nonprofit 911 series from Network for Good.
Date: Tuesday, November 3
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Register

What is Wild Apricot?
Free webinar introduces the major features of Wild Apricot software for associations, nonprofits and other member-driven organizations: membership management, web editing, event management, and fundraising (45 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Register

Your Board and Fundraising: An Introductory Class
This free webinar from the Foundation Center teaches nonprofit organizations how to actively engage their boards in the fundraising process. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Register

E-Strategy for Your Nonprofit
Hosted by CharityFinders.com, this free webinar shows how your nonprofit can develop and execute an Internet strategy to further its mission. (30 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m. PST
Register

Building Accountability into Your Team
This free interactive virtual class is directed towards managers and directors who would like to learn strategies for increasing accountability amongst their team members. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. PST
Register

Green Tech Tips from Microsoft for Small Organizations
Environmental experts from Microsoft will help you learn how to reduce the environmental impact of your information technology and how to effectively use IT to improve your organizations’ efficiency. This free webinar is best suited to small nonprofits. (45 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. PST
Register

Competing with Social Networks: Recruiting Members in the Facebook Age
Being a member of a business association or volunteering for a charity used to be ultimate ways to network — that is, until LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter came along! How can your membership-driven organization survive and even thrive within a landscape of always-on social networking? (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Register

Fundraising With DonorPro
Learn firsthand how DonorPro can help improve your constituent outreach, boost your donations, and help you operate more efficiently. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Register

Creating Balance - Professional Management Skills
This free webcast, presented by Talisman Associates and National Safe Place, will share real-life “how to’s” to help you, your staff and your volunteers work and communicate more effectively and use time well. (90 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Register

Skill-Based Volunteerism and Non Profit Readiness
Having difficulty meeting community needs with current level of resources? This free webinar introduces something new to try — skill-based volunteering — to increase your organizational capacity. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
Register

Proposal Writing Basics
Foundation Center’s free webinar provides instruction on the key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation and answers questions that first-timers often have about the process of applying for a grant. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Register

Activating Your Program’s Strategy and Evaluation
This free interactive virtual class presents a fresh, approachable perspective on setting strategy for achieving goals in education, nonprofit and community programs. (60 minutes)
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. Pacific
Register

Proposal Budgeting Basics
Foundation Center’s free webinar teaches the essentials of budget preparation and presentation in a grant proposal, including compiling both expense and income elements. (60 minutes)
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Register

Fundraising With DonorPro
Learn firsthand how DonorPro can help improve your constituent outreach, boost your donations, and help you operate more efficiently. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. EST
Register

How to Approach a Foundation
This free webinar from the Foundation Center will cover strategies for effective communications with grantmakers, taking you through initial contact to what happens after you receive funding. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Register

Grantseeking Basics
Foundation Center’s free introductory online course gives an overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities. (60 minutes)
Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Register

LinkedIn for Nonprofit Organizations
If used to its full extent, LinkedIn can source donors, prospective board members and volunteers, showcase your organization, and take you into untapped donor markets. Free webinar from Venturneer is presented by Marc W. Halpert. (75 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Register

Fundraising With DonorPro
Learn firsthand how DonorPro can help improve your constituent outreach, boost your donations, and help you operate more efficiently. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Register

Know of a free nonprofit webinar, teleconference, or other web-based professional development event for November 2009 that didn't make this list?

Please feel free to share the details in the comments, below —

Srijan 2009 Conference - Recognizing Social Impact & Innovation

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:04:00 +0000

The Srijan (creativity in English) Microfinance Forum, organized by Intellecap since 2006, has been a national-level platform that recognizes emerging and innovative business initiatives in the microfinance and financial inclusion space. Srijan today has also become synonymous with a forum that has attracted the finest experts and stakeholders within the sector and engaged them in debates on issues and challenges that plague the Indian microfinance space.

Srijan 2009 will focus on the social vs. commercial aspects of microfinance. The event will also through its various awards and discussion topics further the promotion of the ongoing establishment of a credit bureau, sharing of negative loan information, building of an ethical code of conduct, launching of innovative financial products & services, integration of technology and much more.

Why Attend :

In the past three years, Srijan has become one of India's prominent forums that recognizes innovative models capable of both social impact and scalability. Srijan has also attracted top experts in the financial inclusion space and has conducted engaging debates centered around challenges and issues that affected the financial inclusion sector .

The Forum presents a brilliant opportunity to gauge the growing trends in the financial inclusion space, emerging models, innovative partnerships and is also a fantastic networking opportunity.Srijan is actively attended by CEOs of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), bankers, PE/VC firms, technology & other service providers (this also includes insurance providers, telecom and many more), consultants, academicians and other Stakeholders including 'the microfinance curious'.

Dec 08, 2009 - 9:00 to 21:00hrs

Hyatt Regency, Mumbai

More Details - http://www.intellecap.com/srijan2009/index.php

Article 34 Awards for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Tulir – Centre for the Prevention & Healing of Child Sexual Abuse (CPHCSA)

Chennai, India

Article 34 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.

For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and

multilateral measures to prevent:

(a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;

(b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;

The awards:

The awards have been instituted by Tulir-CPHCSA with an aim to affirm, support and celebrate efforts that strengthen every child's right to be safe from sexual violence, as enshrined in Article 34 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The awards for the year 2009 will be presented to

(a) An organization (government or non-government)

(b) An individual in her/his professional capacity

who have worked substantially in addressing concerns relating to sexual violence against children.

The awards are open to not only NGOs and activists, but also to organizations and professionals working in the fields of media, health, tourism, education, police, law, corporate sector etc. Any efforts in the direction of children's right to protection from sexual violence will be considered.

The process:

To apply, the applicants will have to complete and send an application form latest by Nov .12, 2009. The awards will be based on the activities of the applying organization or individual in the last two years. The awardees will be selected from among the received applications by a panel of judges appointed by Tulir-CPHCSA. The awards are non-monetary, and will be given to organizations and individuals working in India only.

The organization:

Tulir - Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse is a registered, non-government, non-profit organization committed to working against child sexual abuse in India.

Our objectives are:

To support and participate in local, national and international efforts to promote and protect the rights of the child.
To raise awareness on child sexual abuse.
To work towards improving policy and advancing practice to prevent and address cases of child sexual abuse with a special emphasis on the psychosocial well being of children.
To provide direct intervention services in the areas of prevention and healing of child sexual abuse.
To undertake research, documentation, and dissemination of information on child sexual abuse

For an application form and further details, write to article34@gmail.com

Nationwide Collection Drive launched for AP/Karnataka Floods - DONATE STUFF NOW

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:55:00 +0000

As massive floods in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra swept through the three Indian states, destroying homes, crops and livestock, many survivors lost virtually everything, finding it difficult to restore even the simple lives they once knew.

This is to announce the launch of Pankhudi Collection Drive “Sahayata” for flood victims from all the states who are in need of help and support from everyone in the country.

WHERE - Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune

WHEN - 20 Oct (Tuesday) - 30 Oct (Friday)

This is an URGENT APPEAL to all to join in its campaign “Sahayata“ to provide support to the victims of this disaster.

For donations, please email us at sahayata@pankhudifoundation.org or call one of our coordinators in your city (see image below).

Please circulate this e-mail to all your acquaintances, friends and colleagues.

Paid, Overseas Fellowship Positions with Atlas Corps - Deadline Nov 10

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:41:00 +0000

Atlas Service Corps seeks nonprofit leaders from around the world to apply for their 2010-2011 fellowship positions in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD and Bogota, Colombia. Expenses are paid in this prestigious fellowship program, including a living stipend, health insurance, and training. Applicants must have 3 or more years of experience in the nonprofit sector, a college degree, fluency in English (and Spanish if applying to volunteer in Colombia), and a commitment to return to their home country after one year. Candidates from outside the U.S. are placed at outstanding host organizations in Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD including Ashoka, Asian American LEAD, CentroNía, Grameen Foundation, and Population Action International. Candidates from the U.S. are placed at organizations in Bogota like Global Humanitaria and Oxfam GB.

In addition to volunteering full time at their host organizations, Fellows are enrolled in a management development training program and join a growing network of nonprofit leaders from around the world.

For more details about eligibility requirements and the application process, please visit: http://www.atlascorps.org/apply.html and watch a short video about the application process here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx63RKbqoKY.

The deadline to apply is November 10, 2009.

Oxfam International Youth Partnerships 2010-13 - Apply Now

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:45:00 +0000

We are currently coming to the end of the 2007 OIYP Program and this brings about the beginning of recruitment for the next program cycle. 2010 not only sees the growth of the OIYP network increase to more than 1100 dynamic change makers but also marks 10 years of the OIYP Program!!

As away of celebrating this achievement, the 2010 Program cycle will be launched in India where the 300 selected Action Partners of the cycle will meet to launch the program at the Kaleidoscope event in New Delhi . This is the first time that the launch of the 3 year program has been help outside of Australia . It is a great opportunity for young people to experience a unique, vibrant culture and an emerging force in our world. OIYP will continue to be managed by Oxfam Australia , through the team in Sydney. For the specific Kaleidoscope event, we are looking forward to working with new organisational partners in India to help set up this event for all our new Action Partners to come to in November next year This brings an opportunity for you to continue supporting the growth of the OIYP network. Recruitment for the OIYP 2010 Action Partners has now been launched and we are asking you to help us find the next generation. Please pass on the enclosed information to the young people in your community, country and region that have something to contribute to OIYP, and would also learn from others in this process. You might also want to think about organizations in your community who could pass this onto young people. If you have any questions on the attached material, please write back to us. All the best from the OIYP team!!

Irene Banda
OIYP Program
Coordinator *Oxfam Australia*
P. O. Box 1711, Strawberry Hills, NSW Australia 2012
Telephone: +61 8204 3939
Fax: +61 9280 3426

OIYP_Application_Form_English

6th Annual Satter Conference on Social Entrepreneurs in New York

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:17:00 +0000

Join us as we convene leading experts from the academic, non-profit, and for-profit fields to present, debate, and discuss new knowledge, theories and strategies around measuring social impact and the social capital market. In addition to our academic conference and in the tradition of our previous conferences, our one day practitioner conference will offer hands-on instruction and use-it-now solutions for social entrepreneurs seeking to better measure their impact related to the growing marketplace of impact investing.

Date: November 4-6, 2009

Academic Conference Registration, click here.

Practitioner Conference Registration, click here.

For more details and a copy of the program, click here.

Indians now see career options in the business of social good

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Salary structures are better and social sector experience can also prove very useful in the corporate sector

Bangalore: This summer, after she graduated with a master’s in information systems from Texas A&M University, US, Pooja Rao headed to India for what she thought would be a six-month break before taking up a job. To fill her time, she volunteered for a stint with Dream A Dream, a not-for-profit organization working with underprivileged children.

“But in two months, I realized this was the long-term career I was looking for,” says Rao, 24, who joined the 10-year-old Bangalore-based organization full time to work in fund-raising and communications.

For Parikshit Dubey, 26, a management trainee at the Bangalore-based Grameen Financial Services Pvt. Ltd, which runs the microfinance organization Grameen Koota, the switch from software services company Infosys Technologies Ltd was part of a premeditated move to engage in rural development.

Dubey left Infosys to sign on for a two-year master’s programme at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, before he was chosen by Grameen Koota through a campus placement programme.

“Yes, I have a taken a drop in compensation compared with what I would have earned in the IT sector,” says Dubey, “But here, I am already participating in strategy-level managerial operations and I no longer feel like I am away from the real India.”

Read More at: http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/15001845/Indians-now-see-career-options.html?d=1

Blog Action Day - A Green Tour of the Google Campus

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:02:00 +0000

We care about a clean energy future and that's a commitment that starts at home. In honor of Blog Action Day 2009 and this year's climate change theme, we wanted to walk you through some of the green features of our global headquarters here in sunny Mountain View, California.

Getting to work: We've got a shuttle service that brings employees from around the Bay Area to the Googleplex every day. These shuttles are outfitted with wi-fi and fueled by B20 biodiesel. And employees who bike, walk, skip, hop or otherwise self-power to work can earn points that translate into a donation from Google to their charity of choice.

Turning on the lights: The rooftops at our headquarters are covered in 9,212 photovoltaic solar panels that produce 1.6 MW of electricity — enough energy to power about 1,000 California homes.

Healthy buildings: The facilities at our main campus use sustainable building materials that are environmentally friendly and healthier, such as "cradle-to-cradle" certified products designed to never end up in landfills, fresh air ventilation, daylighting, and whenever possible, PVC- and formaldehyde-free materials.

No, we're not kidding: We've been known to use goats instead of lawn mowers to graze the fields surrounding our campus.

Getting around town: We have a fleet of 8 plug-in vehicles that Google employees can use free of charge to run errands during the day. (In the summer of 2008 our Google.org RechargeIT initiative launched a controlled driving experiment, and our plug-in hybrids achieved more than 90 MPG!) Shared bicycles are also scattered among our buildings for Googlers to use for short trips around campus, reducing the need for cars during the work day.

Waste not, want not: Waste from our Mountain View cafes is separated and the organic component is composted. As a result, we've reduced waste sent to landfills, reduced greenhouse gases and recycled nutrients leading to improved soil quality without chemicals. And any disposable plateware and cutlery we continue to use in the cafés is now compostable.

Check out this website to learn more about Google's green initiatives, and thank you to Blog Action Day for orchestrating the " largest-ever social change event on the web" yet again.

India's Biggest Business Plan Competition for Social Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:34:00 +0000

Villgro presents the annual Business Plan Competition for social innovators.

Wantrapreneur is all about identifying ideas that have the potential to transform lives and nurturing them to become market-ready products and services. So if you have an idea that you think can change lives, apply now. The top two winners stand a chance to win more that Rs.12 Lakhs in cash !

Wantrapreneur is open to any Indian citizens aged 18 years and above as on Oct 31, 2009.

The minimum requirement for an applicant is that he must have a functioning business in its start up or early growth stage focussed on Agriculture, Energy, Diary and Water sectors.

Applications Entry closes - 31st October 2009

More Details - http://villgro.org/wantrapreneur/index.php

Imagine H2O Prize Competition: For startups with innovative water solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:24:00 +0000

WANTED: INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO WORLD’S WATER CRISIS
REWARD: $70,000

Business plan challenge closes November 16, 2009

The inaugural Imagine H2O Prize competition is now open for submissions. The competition offers prizes of $70,000 in cash and in-kind services, which will be awarded to the business plans which promise the greatest breakthroughs in the efficient use and supply of water.

The Imagine H2O Prize is designed to encourage the competitive and ambitious spirits of entrepreneurs, investors, experts, inventors and academics around the world to focus on water issues. This inaugural business plan challenge focuses on solutions to improve water efficiency in agriculture, commercial, industrial or residential applications, such as water demand reduction, improved water use, water recycling and/or reuse.

Entries will be accepted from around the world until November 16, 2009. Winners will be announced at a showcase event in early 2010. Future competitions will have different prize topics addressing other critical water challenges.

For more details and to participate, go to: www.imagineh2o.org

New Initiative in Ahmedabad - Joy Rides for the Elderly Poor

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Here is an amazing initiative in Ahmedabad (India), where the elderly people get the experience of their lifetime. Connect with them if you wish to help in any way.

INSIDE OF A ROCKET - YOU!

It is almost certain that the readers of this letter have never been inside of a rocket launched towards the space. Bt very probably they have all desired to do so. Haven't you?

For a lot of less fortunate elderly of our city – in their 80's, 70's or even 60's – a car on the road is just as far away, just as inaccessible. They have never been into a car; never seen the inside of it. The difference, however, is that while a rocket for both of us is completely unaffordable, a car entirely is. And we have the power to make the difference. If only we care!

SPRAT organizes what it dares to call as JoyRides every week, usually on Tuesdays. It borrows a few AC cars from executives, industrialists and other car keepers, duly fuelled and with a driver, for 5-6 hours. It then takes the elderly from various slums of the city around, in a convoy, on a conducted tour of Gandhi Ashram, S.G. Highway, C.G.Road, Ashram road, a glittering mall etc, perhaps breaking for a cup of tea on the way. JoyRiders are then dropped at their hutments with thanks for giving us the honor of serving them.

Are you surprised that many of these lovable grannies and grandpas regard the JoyRide their lifetime's happiness with tearful eyes? Imagine yourself heading to the space in a cozy rocket. This is the kind of Joy they feel in your car. Why not make this happen? Who knows their blessings may earn you your space trip.

Here, then, is your chance to spread happiness – and so cheaply. Just book your ride, today. Also to enable your friends to do so, I am appending below a poster image. For a start, can you please circulate this email amongst your contacts? And perhaps be so good as to have the poster printed and displayed prominently on your notice board? On behalf of SPRAT it will be our privilege to take your calls, round-the-clock.

SPRAT is a national award winning NGO led by eminent Advisors and distinguished Governors. Currently this ride is restricted to Ahmedabad

SOME REACTIONS OF JOYRIDERS

Rambaben Trivedi, Aged 80 yrs

[Jivan Sandhya, Naranpura Vrudh Ashram - Old Age Home]
Despite a limp in the leg she enjoyed the JoyRide, her first sojourn in a car: "It was a lifetime dream fulfilled. Like a lottery won. I forgot the pain in my leg. Seldom went out of my four-walls. The roads with tall buildings are amazing. Even my children never took me out to show such things. Dazed."

Rehmat Bibi Koreishi, Aged 81 yrs

[21, Sankalitnagar, Juhapura]
Who sat in a car for the first time ever, was awe-struck, and spoke thus about the escalator in the mall: "Am amazed to see the Mall. I never imagined there are 'stair-cases' that walk up themselves. Simply thrilling, incredible."

Abdul Kader Bhai, Aged 61 years

[171, J-Ward, Sankalitnagar]
With tears in his eyes he recounted the JoyRide: "Anybody can give money but you gave us love, respect. I had taken children, holding them by finger, into the fairs; but never seen malls like ISCON. It is like our little loan repaid."

SPRAT

Society for Promoting Rationality
Rajnagar Complex, Narayan Nagar Road, Paldi

AHMEDABAD 380 007

www.mysprat.org / www.sprat.in
Tel: 91-79-26623655/66/77

Rahul Tejwani - 91-99795 43105 - Project Coordinator
Zulfi Sheth - 91-94288 26342
Leena Rao - 91-94276 09827

WWF Prince Bernhard Scholarships:2010 for Nature Conservation

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Under the patronage of the late HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and to pay a lasting tribute to the Founder President of WWF, the Prince Bernhard Scholarship Fund for Nature Conservation was created in 1991 to help build conservation expertise and leadership in the developing world. With the generous support of The 1001: A Nature Trust, the aim of the WWF Prince Bernhard Scholarships is to provide financial support to individuals who wish to pursue short-term professional training or formal studies that will help them contribute more effectively to conservation efforts in their country.

As a priority, the Prince Bernhard Scholarships (PBS) support mid-career training (up to a maximum of one year) for individuals working in the field of conservation or associated disciplines directly relevant to the delivery and promotion of conservation. Applications from candidates doing multiple-year studies will only be considered if the applicant is applying for support for the last year of studies.

Applications are encouraged from people seeking to build skills in specific subjects that will enhance their contribution to nature conservation. In particular, women and people working for non-governmental or community-based organizations, as well as WWF staff in those areas covered by the scheme, are encouraged to apply. Moreover, the course should have a direct link to WWF's Global Programme Framework - see also WWF's recent booklet on its conservation agenda "acting as one..."

The application form, background information on criteria & guidelines, and list of WWF contact details throughout the Network can be downloaded from either Connect or the WWF website www.panda.org/scholarships

Applications are to be submitted to the nearest WWF Office or Associate and deadline for submission is in January of each year. The PBS selection committee meets in mid-March. Only nationals from Africa/Madagascar, Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Carribean, Eastern Europe & Middle East will be considered, and preference will be given to those seeking support for studies in their own country or region. PBS scholars are expected to return to their home country or region to work in conservation, or related field, after completion of their studies.

The maximum amount for any one scholarship under this scheme is CHF 10,000, and preferential consideration is given to requests for less than CHF 10,000. Applicants must provide written proof of acceptance on a course.

Upon completion of the course, the PBS scholar will provide a final report on the activity undertaken and how it was conducted, with an itemized account of the use made of the funds.

Last date for Application is January 11, 2010.

Bandana Yonzon Lepcha I Senior HR & Events Officer I

WWF Nepal I PO Box 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal I

Phone 9771 4434820 Ext 003 Fax 9771 4438458 I www.wwfnepal.org

Echoing Green 2010 Fellowship for Social entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:55:00 +0000

Echoing Green is accepting applications for it's 2010 Social fellowship program.Echoing Green awards 12-15 two-year fellowships to social entrepreneurs. Fellows receive up to $90,000 in seed funding and technical support to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable social change organizations.Echoing Green seeks individuals or partnerships with:Innovative solutions to significant social problems, Strategies to create high-impact, sustainable change in people’s lives & the ability to grow and lead a new organization .Echoing Green’s application process has three phases. At the conclusion of each phase, the most competitive applicants will be invited to continue in the process. Ultimately, 12-20 new fellows will be selected.Echoing Green invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions.

Echoing Green pays the grants in four equal installments over two years. The first payment is issued in early September 2010. Subsequent payments are made in March 2011, September 2011 and March 2012.Only two founders can apply per organization.You may apply for the fellowship program while you are a full time student in a degree program. However, you must have completed your studies by the beginning of the fellowship period on September 1, 2010. Applications are open. Apply soon!!!! More details can be found in the website mentioned.

Application is due on: December 2, 2009
Apply at http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship

Worldbank Global Youth Conference in DC on Oct 22

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:02:00 +0000

The upcoming Global Youth Conference scheduled for Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 in the WorldBank Headquarters in Washington DC.

Everyone interested in attending this event can register at www.worldbank.org/y2ycommunity

Social Innovation Blog now accessible through SMS within India - Subscribe Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

We've integrated Google SMS Channels in our Social Innovation Blog, which means all the blog readers can now get updates on their mobile phones for FREE.

Sign-up online or SMS "ON SocialSectorOpportunities" to 09870807070.

Some background info:
Google Labs in India launched SMS Channels, a new, free SMS messaging service for India only that may prove to be incredibly useful for citizen groups and NGOs. The service allows anyone to set up a group of mobile subscribers to message to, or for a group to message each other many-to-many. A user can receive news alerts and blog updates via SMS, for example; or a group can group-text message to each other. (Ref: MobileActive.org)

We've found that above 80% of the readers of The Social Innovation Blog are from India and US. Our US-based and other global readers can always follow us on Twitter.

Apply to be an Acumen Fund Fellow

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Application process for the 2010-2011 Class of Acumen Fund Fellows is now open!

Applications will be accepted online until 11:59pm on Thursday, November 5, 2009. Detailed information about the program and application the process, as well as the bios of current and past fellows, can be found on our website - www.acumenfund.org. To apply, or to send more information to others you know who might be interested, please go to http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program.html

We are looking for dedicated individuals with the practical skills, the creativity, the empathy and the leadership potential to affect change by leveraging market-based solutions to create social impact. Acumen Fund Fellows are drawn from a pool of talented, passionate people from all geographies, sectors, backgrounds and religions.

Since graduating its first class of Fellows in 2007, the Fellows Program has continued to grow and expand, using the experiences of each class to continue building a unique training curriculum specifically focused on leadership and social enterprise.

Fellows Alumni have called the program a life-changing experience, and one that allowed them to build critical business skills and a better understanding of the challenges involved in serving low-income consumers around the world.

If you know exceptional individuals who should be part of our 2010-2011 class, we hope you will encourage them to apply.

We are also excited to welcome our new Class of 2009-2010 Fellows to New York. Over the coming weeks the 2010 Fellows will be training and actively preparing to support Acumen Fund investments. The Fellows have committed to sharing their experiences both from New York and on the ground, so expect to see frequent posts from them on the Acumen Fund blog.

Best regards,

Blair Miller
Fellows Program Manager

StartingBloc Social Innovation Fellowship 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:52:00 +0000

The 2010 StartingBloc Social Innovation Fellowship applications are being accepted.This fellowship is kickstarted by the Institute for Social Innovation.The Institute is a five day transformational experience, where fellows interact with one another and StartingBloc alumni mentors. At the Institute students and young professionals (aged 20-29) are provided with the training, education, and networks necessary to turn any career into a socially responsible one.During the Institute, Fellows learn about corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, cross sector partnerships and sustainability from leading academics, corporate innovators, social entrepreneurs, activists and government officials. The curriculum provides a fresh look at global issues and enables the Fellows to innovatively affect change at all levels.Each year, the Institutes bring together 375 Fellows at three locations: Boston (125 Fellows), New York (125 Fellows) and London (125 Fellows).

There is an application fee of $25 for students and $40 for young professionals.The Greater Boston Institute is hosted by Tufts Fletcher School & MIT Sloan and is scheduled for February 12-15, 2010.The Greater New York Institute is scheduled for Mar 6-7 & 28-29, 2010 and its hosted by Yale SOM, NYU Wagner, & Columbia Business School.The Greater Boston and Greater New York Institutes costs $350 for students and $450 for young professionals.Limited financial aid is also available for the applicants.The applicants can be from all academic backgrounds and interests like Economics, English, History, Anthropology, Finance, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Dance and more!More details can be found in the website given.

LAST DATE TO APPLY: November 15, 2009

APPLY AT - http://startingbloc.org

Most Alarming Facts about Global Warming and Livestock production

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:07:00 +0000

Just saw this video on youtube.

International Video Competition to Fight Hunger - starting Oct 16

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:49:00 +0000

The international video competition for inspired filmmakers - hosted by the World Food Programme, in partnership with YouTube. Starting October 16, filmmakers around the world are invited to submit short videos about hunger.

We need you to make the edgiest, most provocative videos about hunger. Whatever it takes to make people think, and to change attitudes. The videos with the most views will be judged by a celebrity jury and the winner will get to travel to a WFP project.

Whatever your style of film-making, share it with the world – anything goes… It’s time to bite back!

More Details - http://www.wfp.org/hungerbytes

India China Institute announces Third Fellowship in Social Innovation for Sustainable Environments 2010-2012

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:04:00 +0000

The India China Institute Fellowship 2010-12 aims to address the complex and interconnected problems associated with climate changes and environmental sustainability. Fellows are expected to critically examine definitions and parameters of both social innovation and sustainability in India and China by ways of collaborative research and debates and trigger a three way dialogue from the US perspectives.

Other areas of work include developing ways to reframe policymaking and implementation, reinvigorating local governance, and redirecting material flows and market forces that would have direct or indirect impact on the environment.

Qualifications

The applicant must be a Chinese or Indian national living or working in China/India for at least 5 years before the date of application with a Master’s degree from an accredited university or professional school.

Application Deadline - Oct 15, 2009.

Email Address: china@newschool.edu; india@newschool.edu

Website: http://www.newschool.edu/ici/subpage.aspx?id=14582

"The Smart Strategist" - Program for Indian Students interested in Social Sector

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:27:00 +0000

WhiteSwan Rural Consulting Group Presents "The Smart Strategist", the hunt for the smartest and most ambitious students from the best educational institutions in the country.

About WRCG
WhiteSwan Rural Consulting Group is a continuously evolving, people centric organization where Business Intelligence converges with Social Innovation. We work with developmental organizations to provide business infrastructure solutions. WRCG is a start-up social enterprise by a group of IIT-ians and is an affiliate organization of the WhiteSwan Consulting Group based in New Delhi.

Our Key engagements
- Non-Profit Consulting. Providing organizational, financial, IT and HR management services to small and medium scale developmental organizations. The focus is to increase social impact.

- Knowledge Management. Conduct, analyze and share case studies on the performances of NGOs across the country. The focus is to examine and enhance transparency and accountability in the developmental space.

- Metrics and Impact Research. Develop indigenous tools and innovative methodologies to measure social impact for MFIs, NGOs and other agencies. The focus is to cause an integrable change.

- Social Investment Packages. Provide investment packages and advisory services to CSRs in making informed social investments. The focus is to facilitate yielding social investments - what Acumen Fund calls "The Patient Capital".

- Social Leadership. Carefully designed year-long immersion programmes and short-term stints for college students. The focus is to groom a cohort of bright leaders for the social sector tomorrow.

At WRCG, we provide immersion opportunities in developmental consulting along with the best minds from IITs,IIMs and other premier colleges in India. WRCG actively promotes student leadership in the Indian development sector and partners with global student leaders from the best schools in the west including Yale, Stanford, Harvard and Ohio State.

The Immersion Program

The agenda of the year-long immersion program is to groom bright young leaders for the social sector with a special focus on developmental consulting. We are looking at final year and pre-final year undergraduate and post-graduate students from your institution to apply for this programme. Here are the key features:

- Exclusive Leadership Workshop by Acumen Fund (New York)
- 100+ hours of professional consulting engagements
- Networking opportunities with International Student Leaders
- Unprecedented access to Leading Developmental Organizations
- Participation in Global development summits and conferences
- Guidance & Mentoring sessions for dynamic careers in the developmental sector

Please note that the immersion programme has been carefully designed so as not to interfere with the academic schedule. The selected candidates will spend only 4 hours a week (weekends) at our office in Guindy.

Application & Selection Procedure

We are looking forward to select 15 students in total. Good communication skills, leadership experiences, ability to work in teams and good academic record is all we look for. Interested applicants are expected to post their resumes and a cover letter (describing why he/she is interested) to: srinath@wcgindia.org on or before September 25, 2009.

Thanks & Regards,
Srinath Ramakkrushnan
Head - Operations
WhiteSwan Rural Consulting Group

TED invites Short Films for its India Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Yatin Sethi) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:57:00 +0000

For the first time in its 25-year history, the TED Conference is announcing a Call for Entries for its short film program, with selected films to be presented at the upcoming TEDIndia conference, November 4-7, 2009, in Mysore, India.

Sprinkled between the speakers, TEDIndia will showcase short films, music videos and commercials, lasting about 30 seconds to 3 minutes. We are partnering with flux.net to curate this collection of films. Selected films are succinct, stand-alone stories, either elegant and eye-catching or just plain funny. Successful films have a strong story arc, often with a high-impact ending, and use interesting cinematic or design techniques.

The theme of TEDIndia is "The Future Beckons." At a time of economic uncertainty, one thing remains clear. There's an unmistakable shift of influence to the east. It's not just about IT outsourcing. Increasingly India, China, and the rest of Asia are making their presence felt globally in new technologies, design brilliance, cultural and economic innovation.

All genres are welcome. We are particularly interested in films originating in India, Asia and the developing world.

The films' function in the TEDIndia program is to act as a satisfying palate-cleanser between speakers, offering a quick burst of humor, wonder or aesthetic pleasure. Overly earnest or heavy content is therefore unlikely to be selected, even if it's strong.

Your film's total running time should fall between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. Films longer than 4 minutes will not be considered.

You must own the rights to the film you are submitting, and have appropriate clearances for all music and images. Selected films will screen at TEDIndia and be included on the DVD Archive sent to attendees. Optionally the film will also be made available on the TED Blog.

ABOUT TED

"The Davos of the mind." Newsweek
"People love it, believe in it, are inspired by it." Sunday Times
"The most compelling, passionate, informed speakers you ever heard." New York Times

TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then, its scope has become ever broader ...

The TEDIndia conference will offer a much-sought-after platform: the chance to address some of India's -- and the world's -- leading thinkers and doers from technology, business, science, media, philanthropy and the arts.

GUIDELINES AND DEADLINES

Submission deadline: Oct. 2, 2009

Please complete our submission form, which includes instructions on how to send us a screener version of your video (90 MB or less, MP4 or h.264).

The submission form can be found at http://media.ted.com/assets/submit.html