Idea Foundation (Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All)

IDEA has been running learning centres for the holistic development of children studying between std. 1st to 7th in marginalized communities from the year 2002. Our focus is on improving fundamental learning skills through Activity Based Learning, extracurricular activities, and exposure visits. Reading, writing, comprehension, language (English and Marathi), Science and Mathematical skills are improved using various educational aids, fun activities, festivals, puppet shows, story-telling, art and craft, sports, competitions, life skill sessions and e-learning.

To enhance the employability of women and youth, skill development courses are offered in a range of vocations such as tailoring, beauty care, home chefs, and art and crafts. These courses provide them with valuable skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen fields.

IDEA’s E-Sakshar programme complements the Government’s vision of digital readiness by imparting digital literacy to one person from each household. Since its inception, the E-Sakshar programme equipped thousands of beneficiaries with the requisite skills to manage online bank transactions, ticket booking, and filling up school or college applications. Beneficiaries across skilling programmes complete computer training to navigate the digital world in the post-pandemic era. The syllabus is dynamically modified to adapt to rising challenges and beneficiaries receive training on diverse online platforms. They gain skills regarding the use of social media for business promotion, cyber security and financial literacy.

Underprivileged children, especially girls, are unable to obtain financial support from their families to continue their education in high school. Through Udaan, needy students receive support to complete their high school and college education. Sponsorships coveres school/college fees, purchase of books, stationery supplies, and uniforms. Community youth clubs equipped with WiFi-enabled PCs and reference books facilitate self-learning and group learning mechanisms and build up the participants' leadership qualities. The beneficiaries enjoy a safe and stimulating environment where they spend quality time with each other. Exposure visits and sessions in life skills, career counseling, spoken English, personality development, digital literacy, and storytelling (online) enhance the overall development of the beneficiaries. Educational sponsorship is given to very needy children studying from 8th grade to graduation, with part reimbursement of their school/college fees, stationery, and life skills sessions. Youth with high potential receive training in leadership skills through Youth Clubs.

- Skill development courses for women and youth in various vocations like Tailoring, Beauty Care, Home chefs, Art and Craft to improve their employability.

Women who gained new skills through ASHAKIRAN could not move forward due to a lack of knowledge and self confidence in running a business. They tended to go back to their old routines. The mission of Unnati is to close the gap between gaining skills and income generation through the facilitation of self-employment/entrepreneurship opportunities. The programme also provides support and organizes women into clusters or Self-Help Groups (SHGs) which can launch their own businesses. In the 6 days of EDP training, various sessions on entrepreneurial qualities, market demand, selecting a trade, making a business plan, branding, micro-finance, record and inventory management, government laws are taught through innovative methods like skits, role plays, presentations, and case studies. The programme also consists of sessions on communication skills, interpersonal skills, and consumer behaviour.

IDEA’s E-Sakshar programme complements the government’s vision of digital readiness by imparting digital literacy to one person from each household. Since its inception, the E-Sakshar programme equipped thousands of beneficiaries with the requisite skills to manage online bank transactions, ticket booking, and filling up school or college applications. Beneficiaries across skilling programmes complete the computer training to navigate the digital world in the post-pandemic era. The syllabus is dynamically modified to adapt to rising challenges and beneficiaries receive training on diverse online platforms. They gain skills regarding the use of social media for business promotion, cyber security and financial literacy.