Development Alternatives

Development Alternatives (DA) is a not-for-profit organisation that has pioneered sustainable development solutions in India since 1982. Often described as the world's first social enterprise dedicated to sustainable development, DA uses business-like approaches to fight poverty while protecting the natural resources that people depend on.

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DA's work tackles three connected challenges of our time: jobs, resources and climate. Through clean technologies, small enterprise development and strong local institutions, it connects practice with policy and works with partners to create sustainable livelihoods at scale. Its vision is a world where every citizen can live a secure, healthy and fulfilling life in harmony with nature.

Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

Major Areas of Work

• Livelihood Security and Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Helping women, youth and rural communities build skills, start enterprises and earn steady incomes.

• Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: Promoting green building materials, waste management and cleaner industry so resources are used wisely and reused.

• Climate Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration: Restoring water bodies, land and natural ecosystems, and helping communities adapt to climate change.

• Green Technology Innovation: Designing and spreading affordable clean technologies for housing, water, energy and waste.

• Community Empowerment: Strengthening local institutions, women's leadership and community action towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Major Initiatives & Programmes

• TARAgram, Orchha: A livelihood resource centre and technology village in Bundelkhand that demonstrates models of sustainable development and hosts training and the annual TARAgram Yatra.

• Radio Bundelkhand 90.4 FM: The first community radio station in Madhya Pradesh, giving rural communities a voice and sharing information on health, farming and more.

• TARA Akshar: An ICT-based adult literacy programme that has helped 2,50,000 women learn to read, write and count in 56 days.

• Water Security in Bundelkhand: Community-built check dams and women-led drinking water enterprises that help create water-positive villages.

• LC3 Green Cement: Promoting Limestone Calcined Clay Cement, which cuts CO2 emissions by more than 30% compared to regular cement, in India and abroad.

• Women's Economic Empowerment: Supporting women to move from job seekers to job creators, including a partnership with UPSRLM to reach 100,000 women in Uttar Pradesh.

• Bridge2Naukri and udyaME: Digital platforms that connect youth to jobs and apprenticeships, and support rural micro-entrepreneurs.

Impact

Over four decades, Development Alternatives has positively impacted the lives of more than 20 million people. In 2023-24 alone, it secured 77,600 livelihoods, created 11,700 job opportunities, helped establish 5,030 enterprises, enhanced water potential by 630 million litres and reached 2.5 lakh people with awareness on health, nutrition, WASH and agriculture through Radio Bundelkhand. DA has received many honours, including the UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize, the Zayed International Prize for the Environment and the Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award. It also holds SIRO certification from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and partners with UN India, ICIMOD and leading corporates and foundations.

Leadership

Chairman – Dr. Ashok Khosla

Chief Executive – Shrashtant Patara

Chief Advisor and Group Head – Maj Gen Rahul Bhardwaj

Executive Vice President – Kanika Verma

Executive Vice President and Group Head – Dr. Soumen Maity

Head of Impact and Communication – Shaila Sam

Development Alternatives is an excellent fit for professionals passionate about sustainable livelihoods, climate action, clean technology, circular economy and women's entrepreneurship who want to design practical, scalable solutions that help people and the planet thrive together.