The/Nudge Institute

Context

Roughly 145 million people still live below the poverty line and over 346 million people experience multidimensional poverty*. Large-scale government programs addressing poverty alleviation are not designed to reach the people most vulnerable to social and economic shocks. Markets with the capacity and resources to deliver at scale are incentivized to focus only on programs that lead to generation of profit. 

Large-scale social transformation requires sustained action by impact-oriented organizations that can catalyze the public and private sector to work alongside the development sector.

Solution

The/Nudge skills youth and families across rural and urban India, to increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods. The organization also helps build the capacity of NGO and government partners to deliver effective livelihood interventions. Recognizing the need for transformative responses to India's development challenges, The/Nudge has evolved existing initiatives across urban livelihoods, rural livelihoods and social innovation into an action development institute with the aim of working towards a poverty-free India, within our lifetime. 

The organization implements programs across three high-impact verticals:

1. Centre for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (CSDE): to facilitate gainful employment and economic mobility for underprivileged youth
2. Centre for Rural Development (CRD): to enable rural families to come out of extreme poverty
3. Centre for Social Innovation (CSI): to nudge and nurture top talent to solve for India’s development challenges

In just the few years since its foundation, The/Nudge has uniquely positioned itself as a leading organization, offering livelihood solutions for both urban and rural India. Under the three high-impact verticals, The/Nudge has reached over 14 million people to date. The organization also runs ‘The Forum’ – a global platform for stakeholders in the development sector to come together and advance India’s development.

Impact depth

The/Nudge’s impact has been validated through internal impact assessments and M&E data; select KPI’s demonstrating program effectiveness include:

Centre for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

65% increase in salary | 3x more satisfied with their jobs | 2x increase in savings

Avg. jump of 1 level in English proficiency | 82% of youth had improved communication skills

Centre for Rural Development

20% of beneficiary families now own a kitchen garden, ensuring access to nutritious food and livelihood opportunities

54% of women from families enrolled in SHGs with improved savings & access to credit

Centre for Social Innovation

Avg. survival rate of nonprofits incubated under CSI: ~90% | Avg. grant multiplier ratio: ~9x

*Multidimensional Poverty Index 2020 by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative