Revisiting Development Models under a New Light

Under the umbrella of digital connectivity, DEF has designed many development models over a period of two decades with interventions in the field of citizen services, education, health, finance, women empowerment, fighting misinformation, etc. These models, such as the SoochnaPreneurship, CIRC, Smartpur, Digital Financial Inclusion, STEM for girls and many more, have been time tested and proven to be sustainable with continuous growth.

Non hierarchical structure of planning and implementation has ensured inclusivity on all levels that also allows us to improvise according to changing situations, locations and social dynamics. The solutions are always outcome oriented that ensures that problems aren’t being transferred within the framework, instead they get resolved in a way which is locally beneficial and acceptable. The design approach being community centric, accommodates steady social changes, questioning the preconceived norms such as patriarchy, social myths and limitations, gender inequality and right to access benefits, etc. at the village level. As a result, more and more voices from the marginalised section are being heard with greater confidence and hope. The opportunities they unlock with these interventions have given them the possibility of participating in a levelled field and challenge inequality.

This edition of the newsletter brings about some stories on looking at these models under a new light. From Refresher Training Workshops to extension of SoochnaPreneurship into surveying tea gardens, these stories talk about the adaptability of these models covering new fields.