Development Alternatives

Society for Development Alternatives, New Delhi receives

Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) certification from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).

Towards Resilient Futures

Our Check Dams Help Create Water Positive Villages

Towards Resilient Futures

We Innovate, Incubate Green Technology Solutions

Towards Resilient Futures

Our Innovations Help Farmers Improve Their Incomes and Lifestyle

Towards Resilient Futures

We Restore Lost Natural Spaces so Communities Can Live With Nature

Towards Resilient Futures

We Create Livelihoods That Help Rural and Peri-Urban Economies Thrive

Our Impact (2023-2024)

Empowered Communities

2.5  lakh

people made aware on health, nutrition, WASH, agriculture and other practices through Radio Bundelkhand

77,600

livelihoods secured

Clean and Green Environment

20,202

million tonnes (LC3, brick kiln, fly ash) CO2 mitigated

630

million litres of water potential enhanced

Income Generation Opportunities

11,700

job opportunities created

5,030

enterprises established

INR 40 cr+

raised in 2023-24 competitive advantage of systemic prototypes

What's New

View All

Episode 8 | Development Alternatives Journey : Solo or Collaborative?

Perspectives
View All

The Concrete Loop: Reclaiming ‘Development Minerals’ for India's Urban Future

Read More
Events and Announcements
Publications
Newsletters

Stories of Change

View All

Waste, Women and a Near-Forgotten Craft: What the Budhana–Khatauli Cluster Reveals About Building Rural Livelihoods

Read More

The Economics of a Harvest: The Story of Mithlesh and a Community Growing Beyond Cultivation

Read More

Finding Her Voice: A Story of Confidence, Enterprise, and Change

Read More

The Emerging Mushroom Ecosystem of Northeast India: Rural Innovation, Sustainability, and Enterprise

Read More

Bitra Saideswara Rao: Shaping stability through skilled craftsmanship

Read More

Revitalizing Mangalagiri’s Gold Jewellery Cluster through Collective Livelihoods

Read More

Turning Banana Fibre into a Future: Papiya Ghosh’s Story of Change

Read More

अनिता: विनम्रता और दृढ़ता की एक आवाज़

Read More

The Light They Carry: Banki's Women and their Solar-Powered Future

Read More

Lemongrass and All Things Essential: The Story of the Churachandpur Aromatic Cluster

Read More

Cash Crop Cultivation: Papu Devi’s Tryst with Mushrooms

Read More

From Stigma to Strength: How Neelam Built an Enterprise on Menstrual Health

Read More

Jitendra Kumar: From Local Services to Empowering Through Technology

Read More

Chandraprakash’s Journey: Rebuilding a Sawmill, Restoring a Dream

Read More

Empowering Rural Dreams: Archana's Milk Collection Center Success

Read More

Lighting Up Lives: Rani Sharma’s Journey from a Small Grocery Store to a Bigger Leap!

Read More

From Sakhi To Entrepreneur: Anita, an entrepreneur from Adhwar village

Read More

From Small Beginnings to Big Aspirations: The Journey of Rajkumar Kailash Vishwakarma

Read More

Prabha Rajput: Striving towards self-reliance and self-sufficiency

Read More

From Vision to Reality: The Success Story of Archana’s Milk Collection Center

Read More

From Struggles to Stitching Her Fate: Gayatri’s Journey of Resilience

Read More

Fulmani Barman Mandal: From a Life of Boundaries to Empowerment

Read More

From Fields to Fortune: Chawngneilien Infimate's Inspiring Journey

Read More

Fostering Success for Women Entrepreneurs: Story of Nilamani Topno

Read More

Baking Success: The Inspiring Story of Vikas Kumar

Read More

From Threads to Triumph: Anita Maurya’s Entrepreneurial Saga!

Read More

Ramrati Kushwaha: From Local Talent to Celebrated Bundeli Singer

Read More

Sangita Devi's Rise as a Rural Entrepreneur

Read More

Behind the Wheel of Resilience: Yasmeen's Story of Overcoming Adversity

Read More

Miss Susama Bhuyan: A Successful Maize Farmer

Read More

Empowering Tradition: The Triumph of Dhouramuda's Bamboo Artisans

Read More

Overcoming Challenges, Nitesh Builds a Brighter Future with Skills Training

Read More

From Dreams to Reality: Priyanka's Journey of Empowerment Through Skill Development

Read More

Transforming Roads: The Journey of Md. Kasim and the Suhana Safar Program

Read More

From Miles to Smiles: A Truck Driver's Journey to Financial Mastery and Family Security

Read More

Empowering Rural Women: A Tale of Transformation in Rural Industrial Park, Ganiyari

Read More

The Journey of Monvir Singh

Read More

The spark of an All-in-One Shop: Sudhir Kushwaha

Read More

Stitching courage in the tapestry of life: Brijesh Raja Chauhan

Read More

Munni Devi’s Story: From Under the Veil to Behind the Wheel

Read More

Finding Hope at the Prabhat Centre: Tannu's Story of Empowerment

Read More

A Story of Resilience

Read More

Lakshmi, The Smartphone Didi

Read More

Empowering Dreams: Ravi's Inspiring Journey from Struggle to Success

Read More

A tale of Profitable Sustainable Enterprise

Read More

Fields of Possibility: Kabita’s Lemongrass Odyssey

Read More

Gig Economy Giving Women Wings

Read More

Unlocking Potential: Empowering Women Through Digital Literacy

Read More

WADI Model Transforming Rural Lives

Read More

Shattering Gender Barriers, Pramila is Now the Primary Breadwinner of the House

Read More

Nurturing Financial Futures: A Mother’s Testimony

Read More

A Journey of Triumph: Pooja's Transformation to Financial Empowerment

Read More

Entrepreneurial Triumph: Neha Gulia's Journey to Success

Read More

Entrepreneurial Journey of Kali Devi Self-Help Group

Read More

Pioneering Progress: Hemang Tiwari's Journey to Becoming a Digital Entrepreneur

Read More

Stitching Success: Narendra Kushwaha's Journey from Tailoring to Entrepreneurship

Read More

Balkishan’s Common Service Centre: Beacon of Hope in Envisioning Rural Enterprise Development

Read More

Inspiring through her Art: Meenakshi’s Journey to Self-Sufficiency

Read More

Manisha’s Path to Financial Independence

Read More

Empowering Women, Empowering Communities

Read More

Break the Barriers: How Chanchal’s Fight for Financial Independence Liberated Her

Read More

Fighting Against the Odds: Usha’s Journey from a P.E. Teacher to a Handicrafts Entrepreneur

Read More

Digital Service Provider and a Seamstress: Aarti, a Multitasking Legend

Read More

Perseverance Pays Off: Anju’s Growth as a Proud Dairy Entrepreneur

Read More

Mainstreaming Resilient Futures Together: Sunita’s inspiring journey to her jute bag business

Read More

Driving Change: Rani's Journey to Empowerment through E-Rickshaws

Read More

Wadi Farming: Transforming the Lives of Marginalised Farmers

Read More

Ms Suchim: A Small-Scale Farmer Turned Entrepreneur from Nagaland

Read More

Empowering Rural Entrepreneurship through udyaME Kiosk

Read More

Waste To Wealth: Women-led rope weaving cluster generating 300+ Green Jobs

Read More

Usha Devi's Inspiring Path to Entrepreneurship and Women's Empowerment

Read More

A Sunny Solution: An Entrepreneur's Leap to Solar Power

Read More

Driving the change in her community - Resilient Chanda Shukla

Read More

Bringing Digital Access Closer to All

Read More

Spinning A Yarn of Dreams

Read More

The Common Facility Center Creating Livelihoods

Read More

The Master Trainer in Silk Yarn Manufacturing

Read More

Sanatan Maity: A supporter of the Laban Satyagraha Movement

Read More

Is Your Coffee from Chintapalle?

Read More

Testimonials

“The world is going through a polycrisis. We really need effective solutions to mitigate the problem of climate change. There is much coming out of India right now that gives us hope in the fight against climate change. DA has been very much in this fight.”

Mr Shombi Sharp
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in India

"Following the green agenda, on which we have had very fruitful discussions at the trialogue2047, will prove to be immensely beneficial for every one of us, from governments and corporate organisations to civil society and individuals. There are many positives that we can take away from the conference."

Dr. Ashok Kumar Ghosh
Chairman, Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB)

Awards & Recognitions

View All
2024

Special Recognition Award by HUL Prabhat : Drinking Water in Nalagarh

2024

Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award

2024

Sustainable Environment Award at the Social Impact Conference & Awards (SICA)

2023

Great Himalayan Star Award, Balipara Foundation

2022

We the Change Now, UN

2022

Access Livelihoods Sitaram Rao Case Study Competition

2022

Rethinking Education for Sustainability, Commonwealth Education Award

2022

Dr. Ashok Khosla gets Lifetime Achievement Award, MSMEs

2021

IMEDF - Second runner up for case study in The Sitaram Rao Livelihoods India Case Study Competition

2020

Bridge 2 Livelihood programme, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL)

2014

Zayed International Prize for the Environment, Prime Minister of UAE

2013

The 6th Narain Dutt Award for the Conservation of Nature, Narain Dharmarth Aushdhalaya Trust

2011

Asia Award, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre

2011

Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal, WWF

2002

UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize, Nippon Foundation