WHAT WE DO

Social Impact Assessment

Social Impact Assessment

Through research methodologies appropriate to the organization’s needs and context, we conduct assessments of program implementation against their goals and expected outcomes.

Sector Research

Sector Research

We carry out extensive reviews of literature, data and policy to develop sector reports and thought leadership studies.

CSR Consulting

CSR Consulting

We help corporates identify appropriate programs and implementation partners for CSR. We also help design, implement and evaluate the CSR programs via partnerships with key NGOs and/or social enterprises.

OUR WORK

Women and Work - A Meta Data Analysis

In partnership with UNDP India, we undertook a meta-analysis of female labour-force participation in India by scanning 13 national level databases, 58 research papers, and 53 national level policies in order to map the policy and data landscape and derive policy implications. The primary objective of our study was to triangulate findings from literature, policy, and data on FLP, and establish trends and identify data gaps. Results from this study was presented to the Ministry of Skill Development and Niti Ayog.

Longitudinal Evaluation and M&E systems for Labournet

We developed an MIS system to collect online, baseline, midline and endline information on the participants of a country-wide, year-long livelihood development program implemented by Labournet in 2016. This information was used to evaluate the impact of this training on employment, employability and other socio-economic indicators.

Pro-poor Financially Sustainable Healthcare Models - Acumen Fund

Starting with a scan of more than a 1000 social health enterprises across Asia, Africa and Latin America, and progressively narrowing down the analysis through a variety of criteria, InsightsApplied did a deep dive into the model and workings of 15 health organizations and came up with a framework for analysing their strategic choices as they make their further their purpose of reaching healthcare to the poorest.

Micro Credit Crisis and Impact on families in Andhra Pradesh

This paper explores the various coping mechanisms of women hit by the Micro-credit crisis. The Andhra Pradesh Ordinance in late 2010 which brought micro-credit activities in the state to an abrupt halt acted as a natural experiment for this study. Using personal interviews with borrowers in two groups of bordering villages (test and control) – one where micro-credit access continued uninterrupted and one where credit access was withdrawn. Sudden and complete withdrawal of credit like that experienced by the AP borrowers has a huge negative impact on the well-being of the poor.

Data-based Monitoring and Evaluation - Godrej properties CSR

We developed a telecalling-based monitoring system for Godrej Properties CSR team to evaluate their training programs for upskilling and certifying construction workers.

Disaster assessment and rehabilitation proposal post Thane cyclone – Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, TN

Pro-bono project – we studied the aftermath of the cyclone disaster in Cuddalore, to prepare a disaster assessment report requesting for funds for disaster-proof housing. Based on the assessment and report submitted on behalf of the State government funds for 100,000 disaster-proof houses were sanctioned by central government scheme.

Research Documentation and Creative Communication - Dharavi Biennale

We carried our research documentation and an impact evaluation of the Dharavi Biennale organized by the Society of Nutrition, Education and Health Action.

Impact Assessment & Baseline Study - Swami Dayanand Educational Trust

We conducted a qualitative assessment across stakeholders to understand impact, gaps and identify replicable success factors. Recommendations included ways to increase student exposure by setting up interactions with industry and alumni, measuring student learning outcomes and teacher performance assessment in a systemic manner.

Political Empowerment of Women through SHGs - Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Corporation

We worked in tandem with TNWDC (Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation) to understand the factors in the Self Help Groups projects that inspire political aspirations of women in Tamil Nadu. The scope of worked ranged from identifying background and profiles in individuals to program design and mechanics. The study involved an analysis of the extensive SHG database collected by TNWDC as well the primary data collected across districts and qualitative interviews.

Impact of Asset Creation under MGNREGA - Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department

We assessed MGNREGA programs in two districts of TN (Tiruvannamalai and Thanjavur) with the aim of improving effectiveness of the program, while balancing the dual objectives of creating sustainable of assets and increased job creation. Our approach included mapping the flow of funds and work, understanding the rationale and processes behind selection of various kinds of works and quantifying accrued benefits from executed works, examining the utility of completed works to community and understanding the perception of functionaries and beneficiaries about the work process.

Education Governance Policy Landscape - TeachForIndia

Research, documentation and presentation about all Indian public policies related to school education and child welfare. InsightsApplied volunteers created a website and audio visual tutorial for the TFI fellows to learn about the education public policy in India.

Assessment of State of Electricity Sector in Tamil Nadu - In partnership with World Resources Institute

As part of long-term objective to devise effective and holistic electricity planning in the state, we led a ‘State of electricity sector’ Assessment in Tamil Nadu. We conducted a series of interviews with different stakeholders including TNEB, TNERC and the State Planning Commission as well as analysed secondary data sources to highlight current state of the sector, and highlight the gaps projected future demand.

The Team

Anita Kumar, Co-Founder

Anita’s interest lies in scalable and sustainable business models which help solve complex social problems. Her expertise lies in the areas of mission alignment, business strategy, organization design, impact metric design and assessment. She is currently working as Director of Policy and Insights at Janaagraha. Anita has previously worked with Procter & Gamble for 5 years in Sales, Strategy and Distribution Channel Design, and the IFMR Trust in their Rural Market Insight team, where she worked on varied projects including marketing solutions for a rural drinking-water company, and an access to housing-finance project for DFID-UK. When she is not running behind her two kids, Anita loves to escape into the world of books. Anita has an MBA from IIM Calcutta (2004) and an MSc in Development Management from the London School of Economics (2011).

Sneha Menon, Co-Founder

Sneha is passionate about creating pathways between grassroots development effort, empirical sciences and public policy. She has spent most of her adult-life working in the Indian and international development sector as researcher, technical assistant and volunteer. She is currently pursuing a PhD in economics at the Berlin School of Economics. Her research focuses on labour, gender and climate. She holds a master's degree in Economics from the University of Oxford and a PGD in Applied Statistics from the University of Mumbai. Her favourite hours are spent listening to podcasts in the ladies dibba on bombay locals and talking to her dog.

About Us

 

We recognize that creating sustainable and scalable social change is complex. Even when solutions are available, accessibility, adoption and successful implementation are not always easy. We want to bridge the gap between research and action. We aim to understand a problem holistically, and use insights developed from community led and participative processes, from your organization, from academic research – and facilitate the shaping of programs and policies. With many years of hands-on work experience and an inter-disciplinary background spanning across development, statistics, economics, sales, distribution, strategy and critical studies, our team is well positioned to help create, sustain and scale social initiatives.

 

InsightsApplied is currently on break from new work. Write to Anita and Sneha using the contact form below!

Contact Us