Sustainability & Leadership Award
The India Sustainability Leadership Summit Award, 2018, for Nav Udaan: Digital Financial Literacy & Climate Smart Agriculture. 11,000+ farmers trained in digital & financial literacy across Haryana & Rajasthan.
About ActImpact (NSFI)
Who we are
NSFI (National Skills Foundation of India) works with women, economically weaker sections, and socially excluded communities across India, focusing on gender equality, entrepreneurship, agriculture-based livelihoods, climate action, market development, digital and financial literacy, education, health, and other emerging priorities. We operate through four connected ways of working: research and evidence building that grounds every programme in field reality; stakeholder convergence that aligns our effort with governments, corporates, and institutions; programme implementation that moves skills, enterprise support, and market access together; and incubation that sustains promising enterprises through seed capital and mentoring. Outcomes differ by theme but share one purpose: durable inclusion. As a learning organisation, NSFI continuously recalibrates against emerging gaps and evolving stakeholder priorities.
What we are
A public charitable trust established in 2009, headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, with registrations including FCRA, 12A, 80G, PAN and NGO Darpan. Over 17 years, we have delivered 100+ programmes across 27+ Indian states and 7+ countries, reaching 600,000+ lives. Our work spans agriculture, livelihoods, entrepreneurship, women empowerment, climate action, health, education, and digital and financial inclusion, aligned with relevant SDGs. We work through multidisciplinary teams and partnerships with governments, corporates, and development and philanthropic organisations. With 12+ national and 12+ state government partnerships and 15+ corporate partners, NSFI combines institutional credibility, field expertise, research, and implementation capacity to create sustainable impact.
Mission
To be an organisation of excellence that empowers people through entrepreneurship and skill development towards achieving enhanced and sustainable incomes.
Vision
Build capacities and capabilities of people and increase their access to information, technologies & innovations through market and value chain integration.
The Origin
Founded in 2009, NSFI began with a focus on skilling and agriculture, building expertise through research, policy advocacy, international partnerships, and farm-based livelihood programmes. Over time, we evolved with emerging development challenges, expanding into climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, women's empowerment, and financial literacy. We incubated institutions and developed models: Green Colleges, Sashakth Kissan, Sabal Sakhi, and Mahila Udyami, advancing women-led and climate-resilient livelihoods. Today, our work spans emerging agricultural skills, agrivoltaics, green enterprises, and livelihood development. This has led to the consolidation of our programmes under ActImpact, the public-facing identity of NSFI, reflecting our commitment to collaborative, sustainable impact.
Our Awards
Award for Women Empowerment
CSR Times Award, 9th CSR National Summit and Awards, 2022, for Project Sabala: Economic Empowerment of Women through Complementary Livelihood Options and Entrepreneurship in Sanga Reddy District, Telangana.
Community Engagement for Sustainability Award
CASCA Award (Climate Action & Sustainability Conference & Awards), organised by The CSR Universe, 2026, for Promoting Entrepreneurship Among Rural Youth in Anand District, Gujarat.
Best NGO of the Year: Women Empowerment
Global CSR & ESG Award, 2026, for Project Sabala & Sabal Sakhi: Economic Empowerment of Women through Complementary Livelihood Options and Entrepreneurship in Telangana & Himachal Pradesh.
Most Impactful NGO of the Year Award
Institutional Award, CSR & Sustainability Connect Summit (CSCS), 2026.
Our Journey
2025
Initiated the Green Enterprise movement in rural India
Green Enterprises
Championed green enterprises among rural youth, catalysing 75 new enterprises that prove the viability and market demand for sustainable, environmentally positive businesses.
2024
Future-ready agri-skilling and clean energy for farmers
Future Agri-Skilling
Led the initiative to expand skilling for the future of agriculture: 5 full-term and 20 short-term courses launched on emerging agri-skilling needs, developed with leading Australian vocational training institutes.
Agro-Photovoltaics
Championed solar-powered farming, leading national efforts to promote agro-photovoltaics and the PM-KUSUM scheme, reaching farmers through 100 workshops across the country.
2019
Exchanged entrepreneurship development model with African nations
South South Exchange Programme
Scaled the Fast Track model with 27+ learning resources for replication across 4 countries: 50 entrepreneurs trained, 15 received seed capital, and programmes launched in Uganda and Kenya, with Sierra Leone and Tajikistan engaged for rollout.
2018
Anchoring a new social enterprise and a women-led livelihoods model
Anchored ShareOn
A digital inclusion and fundraising platform for not-for-profits, establishing 20 community-level social enterprises and equipping 60+ CSOs across 18 states with digital, marketing and social media skills, raising ₹54 crores for partner organisations.
Women-Led Market Linkages
Developed a rural entrepreneurship model delivering real economic gains: 150 women in Himachal Pradesh and 103 women in Telangana achieved 25% income growth through sustainable livelihoods and market-oriented enterprise development.
2017
Co-created flagship green skilling and entrepreneurship models
Green Colleges
40,000 rural youth trained across 27 trades through 11 Green Colleges; 20,335 of them went on to build sustainable farm enterprises, creating 500 jobs and driving income growth of over 25%.
Fast Track Entrepreneurship
Accelerated rural enterprise development through intensive capacity building, mentoring, market linkages and access to finance, helping rural entrepreneurs move rapidly from idea to sustainable business.
2013
Incubated at ASCI to strengthen institutional capacity
Incubated ASCI
Incubated the Agricultural Skill Council of India, India's nodal agency for agri skills and entrepreneurship, established under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and recognised as an Awarding Body.
2011
Establishing early institutional and market linkages
Global Agri Connect (GAC)
Launched a first-of-its-kind platform bringing India's agriculture ecosystem (farmers, policymakers, innovators, institutions and industry) together to exchange knowledge and forge partnerships: 9 years, 60,000 farmers, 500+ speakers, and hundreds of partner NGOs, agencies and institutions.
Market Linkage
Steered market-led agriculture across North & Northeast India: 30+ market linkage programmes connected farmers, women entrepreneurs and artisans to metro markets, retail chains and global buyers, unlocking sustained market access and brand visibility within four years.
2009
Founded as the National Skills Foundation of India
NSFI Founded
Registered as a Trust, marking the starting point for everything that followed.
Core Values
Empowerment Over Aid
We believe in enabling individuals, especially rural youth and women, to become self-reliant through skills, entrepreneurship, and sustained support.
Integrity & Accountability
We uphold transparency, ethical practices, and responsible use of resources in all our engagements with stakeholders, partners, and communities.
Sustainability & Impact
We prioritise long-term, environmentally responsible, and economically viable solutions that create lasting impact rather than short-term outputs.
Innovation & Adaptability
We continuously evolve our approaches, integrating new ideas, tools, and learnings to remain relevant and effective in changing contexts.
Inclusion & Equity
We actively work to include marginalised and underserved communities, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of gender, geography, or background.
Board Of Trustees
Deepak Dogra is a development sector leader with over two decades of experience in education, programme management, and institutional strengthening across Asia and Africa. He has led large-scale education and literacy initiatives, managed multi-country operations, and worked extensively on quality education, capacity building, and community engagement. A graduate of Harvard Kennedy School and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), he brings deep expertise in designing and scaling high-impact development programmes.
Mr. Deepak Dogra
Nilotpal Pathak is a strategy and investment expert with over two decades of experience in rural development, agribusiness, private equity, and enterprise development. He has advised businesses, financial institutions, and development organisations on strategy, investment, and business transformation, with deep expertise in agricultural value chains, financial inclusion, and impact investing. An alumnus of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), he has worked across India and the Middle East, helping build sustainable enterprises and innovative financing models for inclusive rural growth.
Mr. Nilotpal Pathak
Sanjeev Asthana, Chairman of NSFI, is a recognised leader in the food and agriculture sector with over 30 years of experience in India and internationally. He is an entrepreneur, institution builder, and board member who has played a pivotal role in strengthening agricultural skills, market systems, and rural development. He has shaped agricultural policy, serves on national committees of CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and PHDCCI, and is a sought-after speaker at leading global forums and institutions.
Mr. Sanjeev Asthana
Board Of Advisors
Amaresh Mohan is the Co-Founder of The Kebabsmith. He is a global leader in risk management and digital transformation, with extensive experience building and scaling risk functions for high-growth technology companies like Stripe and PayPal. He has held senior leadership roles across international financial and technology organisations and brings deep expertise in governance, strategy, digital innovation, and mentoring entrepreneurs.
Mr. Amaresh Mohan
Anuradha Bhavnani is a sustainability and social impact strategist with extensive experience in inclusive business, climate action, innovation, and strategic partnerships at Shell Foundation. She has advised leading philanthropic and development organisations and has dedicated her career to nurturing social enterprises, building collaborative ecosystems, and supporting innovative models that create scalable and lasting impact.
Ms. Anuradha Bhavnani
Arvind Risbud is a seasoned rural development and institutional leader with decades of experience across the development, textiles, and public sectors. As Executive Director of MYRADA and through his leadership in several state institutions, he has contributed significantly to rural livelihoods, enterprise development, and sustainable community-based initiatives.
Mr. Arvind Risbud
Dr. Ashok Methil Vishwanathan is a distinguished expert in rural development, agribusiness, and rural finance, with leadership experience spanning NABARD, BAIF, and academic institutions. He has designed and implemented sustainable development programmes, led rural finance initiatives across India, and contributed to international knowledge exchange in agricultural and rural development.
Dr. Ashok Methil
Dr. Meera N. Shaik is an internationally recognised expert in digital agriculture, agricultural extension, and technology-enabled rural development. With leadership roles at ICAR, IFAD, and ATARI, she has championed digital transformation, policy advocacy, capacity building, and innovative extension systems to strengthen agricultural livelihoods across developing countries.
Dr. Meera N Shaik
Narendranath Damodaran is a respected rural development professional with extensive grassroots experience in poverty alleviation, community institutions, and social entrepreneurship. Having led PRADAN as Executive Director, he has played a pivotal role in programme management, institution building, policy advocacy, and nurturing development professionals across India.
Mr. Narendranath Damodaran
Dr. Patrick Cortbaoui is an international expert in global food systems, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development. He is Director at McGill's M.A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security. With experience across academia, international development, and the private sector, he advises on scalable solutions to global food security challenges, operational excellence, and innovation-driven development programmes.
Dr. Patrick Cortbaoui
The Team
A dedicated and results-driven professional with over 10+ years of experience in the social sector, Abhijith serves as an operations manager, specialising in programme and operations management. He brings expertise in designing and implementing impactful initiatives that address critical community needs. A strategic thinker with strong leadership and collaboration skills, he is committed to driving social innovation and meaningful change.
Abhijith
Operations Manager
Abhyuday is a communications professional specialising in digital storytelling, social media strategy, and impact-driven content. He creates compelling campaigns, visual narratives, and donor-focused communications that amplify organisational impact and strengthen engagement across diverse stakeholders.
Abhyuday
Social Media Coordinator
Akhil Thankachan is an operations executive at the National Skills Foundation of India (NSFI). Having previously served as an Assistant Field Project Coordinator, he has contributed to women-led livelihood and enterprise development through programme coordination, community mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, documentation, and enterprise operations. Before joining NSFI, Akhil was a Gandhi Fellow, working on multi-sector community development initiatives in partnership with government institutions. He holds a postgraduate degree in social work and has a keen interest in rural development, institutional convergence, and sustainable livelihood promotion.
Akhil Thankachan
Operations Executive
Amar Deep holds an MBA in HR and Finance Management, with 3.5 years of experience in administration and financial support. He heads administrative operations and contributes to financial management, known for his strong coordination skills, reliability, and attention to detail.
Amar Deep
Accounts & Admin Executive
Amina Kidwai has 15+ years of experience in the development sector, with specialisation in project management, communications, and fundraising. As the Lead for Fundraising & Business Development at NSFI, she manages partnerships, crafts grant proposals, and oversees donor communications and reporting, in addition to supervising projects. Her cross-functional expertise is anchored in a strong commitment to creating lasting impact through strategic partnerships.
Amina Kidwai
Lead Partnership Manager
Anil Saini serves as the Field Project Coordinator at the NSFI. At NSFI, Anil leads the overall field implementation of the project by planning and coordinating field operations while ensuring seamless collaboration with key stakeholders. He oversees project planning, monitoring, reporting, budget utilisation and compliance with project timelines and deliverables. He also leads strategic initiatives such as entrepreneurship promotion, market linkage development, exposure visits and exhibitions, ensuring that project interventions create a sustainable and lasting impact at the grassroots level.
Anil Saini
Field Project Coordinator
With 6 years of experience in the development sector, Chandni Rana specializes in project coordination, data management, and enterprise support. At Sabal Sakhi, a women-led initiative, she oversees training logistics, tracks income and sales, and ensures operational efficiency. A BA graduate, she brings a practical, hands-on approach to strengthening women’s economic participation and driving collective growth.
Chandni Rana
Field Executive
Janki Chaudhari is an Assistant Field Executive at NSFI and holds a graduate degree in Economics. In her role, she works closely with youth and entrepreneurs, supporting field-level activities and promoting inclusive participation, particularly among young women, through gender-sensitive communication and community outreach.
Janki Chaudhari
Assistant Field Executive
As Head of HR at NSFI, Mr K R C Pillai oversees recruitment, onboarding, employee welfare, people management, and legal compliance. With a strong belief in HR as a key business enabler, he ensures that people practices support the organisation's mission and growth. He holds an M.A. in English and a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management (PGDIPM).
KRC Pillai
HR Head
Mitesh Mahida is a Field Executive at the NSFI, dedicated to supporting the implementation of rural livelihood and entrepreneurship development initiatives. He works closely with project beneficiaries to facilitate field activities, mobilise community participation and ensure the smooth execution of training programmes and enterprise development interventions. Mitesh also assists in data collection, beneficiary follow-ups, documentation and coordination with local stakeholders.
Mitesh Mahida
Field Executive
With over two decades of experience in rural development, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive growth, Dr N. Sai Krishna leads NSFI with a clear vision of transforming lives at the grassroots. His deep understanding of rural markets, strategic programme design, and collaborative governance has enabled NSFI to build scalable, community-driven models that bridge the gap between opportunity and impact, empowering thousands across India to build brighter, self-reliant futures.
Dr. N Sai Krishna
CEO
Pinkesh Savaniya is a Field Executive with an M.A. and B.Ed., he focuses on building strong relationships with entrepreneurs, collecting key field data and assisting in entrepreneurship development and training workshops. In addition to field implementation, he provides technical support in product photography, product catalogue development and documentation for marketing and e-commerce initiatives. He also assists entrepreneurs with machinery-related technical support, helping them understand equipment operations, and production setup.
Pinkesh Savaniya
Field Executive
Priyanshi Thakur is a Field Executive at the National Skills Foundation of India (NSFI), dedicated to advancing rural livelihoods, women’s empowerment, and sustainable community development. She holds an MBA in Rural Development from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.). In her role, she works closely with rural communities and women artisans’ collectives to facilitate mobilisation, livelihood promotion, entrepreneurship and skill development and market linkages. Passionate about creating meaningful social impact, Priyanshi is committed to strengthening grassroots institutions, fostering inclusive economic growth, and supporting sustainable development initiatives that empower communities to become self-reliant.
Priyanshi Thakur
Field Executive
Sachin Bedi is a development professional with over 14 years of experience in rural development, CSR, and community empowerment. He holds a PGDMX(R) from the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and is certified in Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). His experience spans organisations such as Pidilite, Ambuja Cement Foundation, End Poverty, HelpAge India, and Usha International.
Sachin Bedi
Assistant General Manager
A development professional with 2 years of experience and a postgraduate diploma in rural management from XISS. Experienced in skill development, livelihoods, and agriculture, with expertise in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and implementing community-focused initiatives that promote sustainable and inclusive rural development.
Sonit Shashi
Operations Executive
Sonu Devi is a Field Project Coordinator at the National Skills Foundation of India (NSFI) and holds a master's degree in social work and counselling. With over 10 years of experience in the development sector, human resources, training, and entrepreneurship development, she plays a key role in managing field-level project implementation. Her expertise includes mobilising and organising women entrepreneurs, coordinating with stakeholders, facilitating capacity-building and livelihood initiatives, and ensuring effective project monitoring, documentation, reporting, and the achievement of project outcomes.
Sonu Devi
Field Project Coordinator
T. Bandhu is a field executive with 6 years of experience and an ITI diploma. He plays a key role in community outreach in Balog Panchayat, informing women about upcoming trainings and their duration. With a background in managing field office data, he supports rural women in accessing skill-building opportunities and expanding their income sources.
T Bandhu
Field Executive
T.M. Sowmiya is an agricultural entomologist at NSFI, contributing to sustainable sugarcane development through innovative pest management approaches. Her work focuses on biological control, integrated pest management and biocontrol agent production. She provides technical support to farmers and entrepreneurs, facilitates capacity-building programmes and oversees biocontrol laboratory operations, helping strengthen sustainable and eco-friendly crop protection practices.
T.M. Sowmiya
Agricultural Entomologist
Vanita Wathore serves as a Field Project Coordinator at the National Skills Foundation of India (NSFI). Bringing over 14 years of social sector experience in gender equality, women's empowerment, and addressing domestic violence, Vanita drives grassroots entrepreneurship initiatives for women. She leads field mobilization across underserved urban slums, having directly covered 500+ households to identify and encourage women toward economic independence.
Vanita Wathore
Field Project Coordinator