COVID-19 Following the Migrants Home- Plights, Struggles, and Aspirations
By Abner Manzar
2022
Following the Migrants Home is an ethnographic book on the migrant crisis that was triggered by the COVID-19 lockdown in India in 2020. The book explores the plights, struggles, and aspirations of migrants after their journey back to their villages.
Prelude to the Digital Future
By Osama Manzar
2022
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in partnership with Facebook (Meta) hosted a series of discussions to explore the trajectories that are changing the scale, scope, complexity of the opportunities, and challenges of rural economic growth and development, and the indispensable need for a robust digital ecosystem to facilitate the same.
Leading the Future Leaders
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This volume is a collection of case studies that support the initiative called GOAL Samarth taken up by DEF in collaboration with EquallyAble which facilitates mentorship to empower disabled populations from rural India by instilling life skills, leadership qualities, advocacy skills and an entrepreneurial attitude.
Redefining the Possibilities
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This volume presents a set of testimonials showing digital inclusion of disabled people from 8 states who have been part of Samarth SoochnaPreneur project under which they have become successful entrepreneurs in their villages after getting trained by DEF and EquallyAble in using digital tools for social good.
Decentralising Benefits
2021
By Dr. Syed S. Kazi and Osama Manzar
This case studies volume is a means of reflecting on collective experience of 14 major Indian CSOs that worked on the issue of improving last mile access to public schemes information in backward districts in India during 2014-2018, and supported by the European Union in India.
Social Media, Disinformation, and Democracy in Asia: Country Cases
2020
By Asia Democracy Research Network
DEF along with Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) contributed to Asia Democracy Research Network’s (ADRN) special 2020 report titled ‘Social Media Influence on Electoral Democracy: A Perspective from India’.
The Value of Internet Openness in Times of Crisis
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This volume explores “The Value of Internet Openness in Times of Crisis” shedding light on how COVID-19 pandemic has harshly highlighted the fundamental importance of Internet access, and the total exclusion that the unconnected face in times of crises. Internet connectivity, has now emerged as the backbone of all social, political and economic interactions along with services.
The Book Review: Digital Shift
Volume XLIII Number 12 December 2019
By The Book Review Literacy Trust
The Book Review is a non-political, ideologically non-partisan journal which tries to reflect all shades of intellectual opinions and ideas. It carries review of numerous books by academicians, media experts, journalists.
Building Participatory Institutions For Public Service Delivery Through Access to Information in Rural India
By Anulekha Nandi
Anulekha Nandi in this paper discusses strategies to overcome the barriers of access to social protection by translating learnings from DEF’s Soochnapreneur model into a practical and analytical framework that can be used to work on and strategise the attainment of rights-based outcomes
Problem Descriptions and Background Information Guide for the Creative Problem Solving and Communication Skills Course
By Anulekha Nandi
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in partnership with Bertelsmann Foundation has collaborated to develop the challenge scenarios for Maastricht University’s creative problem-solving course that would help students to apply thinking techniques in the creative problem-solving process, solve real-life problems, among others.
Building Blocks of Social Network
2018
By Osama Manzar
Building Blocks of Social Networks is a book published under the social media for Empowerment Awards platform, to explore and share how some of the best social media initiatives from South Asia are leveraging the power of social media to reach out to a wider global audience and initiate a change.
Digital Roshni- Volume 1
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This book is the first in a series of four publications that describe the socio-behavioural insight of girls and women across villages in the country where they are being introduced to digital media, social media, ICT tools, community media, computers, mobiles and other modern digital tools or devices.
Digital Roshni- Volume 2
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This book is the second in a series of four publications that describe the socio-behavioural insight of girls and women across villages in the country where they are being introduced to digital media, social media, ICT tools, community media, computers, mobiles and other modern digital tools or devices.
Digital Roshni- Volume 3
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This book is the third in a series of four publications that describe the socio-behavioural insight of girls and women across villages in the country where they are being introduced to digital media, social media, ICT tools, community media, computers, mobiles and other modern digital tools or devices.
Digital Roshni- Volume 4
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This book is the fourth in a series of four publications that describe the socio-behavioural insight of girls and women across villages in the country where they are being introduced to digital media, social media, ICT tools, community media, computers, mobiles and other modern digital tools or devices.
Gems of purest ray serene
2018
By Ratan N Tata
This book has been published by The Tata Trust with Foreword by Ratan N. Tata which shares about the lives of India’s outstanding Social Workers and presents inspiring stories for young people who are exploring the roads less travelled to bring change in the society.
Mobile Phones for Social and Behaviour Change
By Ritu Srivastava & Arjun Sen
This compendium is a compilation of over 100 mobile-based initiatives around education, health, civic participation, socio-economic development and disaster management within the central focus of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Social Media: People, Voices & Power
By Furkan Latif Khan
It is a book published under its social media for Empowerment initiative to explore, understand and share how some of the best social media initiatives from South Asia are leveraging the power of new media’s latest tools to bring about a change in the society. This book presents a few expert views, followed by descriptions of 52 social media initiatives from South Asia.
Mobile for social & behaviour change – Vol 2
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a four volume case studies showing how mobile phones have emerged as an effective mechanism to derive project impacts in areas like- information dissemination, training of frontline workers and interpersonal communication, and project monitoring and tracking. This volume draws case studies from North India- Uttar Pradesh and nearby states.
Mobile for social & behaviour change – Vol 3
By Osama Manzar
This is a four volume case studies showing how mobile phones have emerged as an effective mechanism to derive project impacts in areas like- information dissemination, training of frontline workers and interpersonal communication, and project monitoring and tracking. This volume draws case studies from Tamil Nadu, India.
Mobile for social & behaviour change – Vol 4
By Osama Manzar
This is a four volume case studies showing how mobile phones have emerged as an effective mechanism to derive project impacts in areas like- information dissemination, training of frontline workers and interpersonal communication, and project monitoring and tracking. This volume draws case studies from Hyderabad, India.
Mobile for social & behaviour change – Vol 5
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a four volume case studies showing how mobile phones have emerged as an effective mechanism to derive project impacts in areas like- information dissemination, training of frontline workers and interpersonal communication, and project monitoring and tracking. This volume draws case studies from Madhya Pradesh, India.
Digital Bharat
2014-15
By Saleema Razvi and Syed S. Kazi
This is a compendium that gives an overview of 50 identified digital case practices around insightful deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools and applications, including hardware and software, can to a wider extent mitigate or bridge the gulf in expectations and delivery from both users and delivery point of view.
Mobile Phones: A Tool for Social and Behavior Change – Vol 1
2013
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
It is a three-volume white paper series presenting the key areas of emphasis in the growing mobile for development space in India especially how mobile phones are contributing to social and behavioural changes. It emphasis on the limitations as well as the scope to expand the social space with rising mobile density.
Mobile Phones: A Tool for Social and Behavior Change – Vol 2
2013
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
It is a three-volume white paper series presenting the key areas of emphasis in the growing mobile for development space in India especially how mobile phones are contributing to social and behavioural changes. It emphases on the limitations as well as the scope to expand the social space with rising mobile density.
Mainstreaming North East with Connectivity & Access- North East SOcial Impacr Awards
2013
By Syed S Kazi
It is a report of the North East Social Impact Awards 2013 which aims at identifying, recognising and documenting the initiatives by youth led organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations in North East India Region.
Mobile Phones: A Tool for Social and Behavior Change – Vol 3
2013
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
It is a three-volume white paper series presenting the key areas of emphasis in the growing mobile for development space in India especially how mobile phones are contributing to social and behavioural changes. It emphases on the limitations as well as the scope to expand the social space with rising mobile density.
Mobile for Social Impact India
2012
By Osama Manzar and Laura Turkington
This is a report of awards that DEF facilitated in association with Vodafone Foundation of organisations or initiatives that have instrumentalised mobile phones for social good in fields like health, education, governance, business and livelihood. This is a report of the award function.
Digital Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in North East India- North East Social Impact Awards
2012
By Syed S Kazi
It is a report of the North East Social Impact Awards 2012 which aims at identifying, recognising and documenting the initiatives by youth led organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations in North East India Region.
Mobiles for Social Impact
2011
By Osama Manzar and Laura Turkington
This is a report of awards that DEF facilitated in association with Vodafone Foundation of organisations or initiatives that have instrumentalised mobile phones for social good in fields like health, education, governance, business and livelihood. This is a report of the award function.
Empowering Women Through Mobile
2011
By Osama Manzar and Laura Turkington
This is a report of the award function that is supported by the Vodafone Foundation and is being conducted under the framework of Manthan awards. what we need is extensive scaling up of these projects, nationwide adoption by government and private sector and active participation of the social institutions to integrate mobile into their daily operations across all sectors targeting women.
Perception Survey on Aadhaar-Based Service Delivery
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) conducted a survey involving 433 grassroots information entrepreneurs (SoochnaPreneurs) in India to gain insights into Aadhaar-based service delivery. The findings shed light on key challenges and advantages associated with the Aadhaar system. Read the report here.
The Everyday Violence of an Internet Shutdown: Narratives from Manipur
2023
By Osama Manzar, Jenny Sulfath, Violina Barman
The report, sheds light on the profound impact of internet shutdowns in the Indian state of Manipur. It discusses how these shutdowns disrupt various aspects of life, including communication, education, livelihoods, and access to information.
A Governance Framework for Digital Public Infrastructure: Learning from the Indian Experience
2023
By T20 Policy Brief
This brief advocates that Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) should move beyond the mentioned principles and adopt a participatory governance framework aligned with democratic values.
Digital Green Prakriya (Processing) Fostering Digital Environmental Justice through Community Repair and Reuse Network in India – A Pilot Report
2022-2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Despite being the only South Asian country with an E-waste law in place, India is severely lagging behind in formally collecting and handling e-waste in an ecoconscious manner.
Digital Didi- Innovation to Ensure Menstrual Hygiene and Fostering Self-Learning and Entrepreneurship
2022
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This report highlights the key findings from the baseline survey conducted for the Digital Didi Project – Innovation to Ensure Menstrual Hygiene and Fostering Self-Learning and Entrepreneurship in a total of 9 states
Digital Didi- Ensuring Menstrual Hygiene and Fostering Self-Learning through Community Digital HealthPreneurs
2022
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This report highlights the key findings from the baseline survey conducted for the Digital Didi Project – Ensuring Menstrual Hygiene and Fostering Self-Learning through Community Digital Health-Preneurs in a total of 10 states
Digital Empowerment of Tea Tribe: Towards Vulnerability Reduction and Unlocking Opportunities
2021
Dr. Syed Sultan Kazi, Ms. Ritwika Patgiri, Dr. Rajdeep Singha
This report presents about the digital inclusion of the team communities of Assam with an introduction to the vulnerability faced by them and necessary steps in terms of infrastructure and policies to include them in the digital world.
A Baseline Study on Digital Skills for Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods
2021
By Sana Alam
This is a report summarizing the findings to help in guiding the digital interventions planned to build capacities of rural artisans and weavers to improve their livelihoods by DEF and Commonwealth of Learning.
Advancing Digital, Financial Inclusion and Empowerment of the Farm Communities in Assam
2021
By Council for Social & Digital Development and Digital Empowerment Foundation
This report shares about the scope of digitization among the small and marginal farmers of Assam and presents the issues and recommendations to improve their inclusivity in the digital world.
Analyzing the Role of Community Radio in Countering Misinformation at Grassroot Level
2021
By Tarun Pratap
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in collaboration with Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in order to counter the misinformation, through its project Developing Rural Ecosystem Against Misinformation (DREAM) developed a pilot based on a hyper-local fact-checking initiative rooted in community-level interventions through Community Radio Stations (CRSs) and digital Community Information Resource Centers (dCIRCs). The project used Community Radios (CRs) as a tool to reach the larger community. This report talks about the project in detail and its impact on the ground.
Axis Bank Progress Report
2021
By Axis Bank and Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a project report of DigiSupport, an initiative of DEF and Axis Bank, aimed to empower financially excluded communities to digital access and consume financial products, services and information through rural digital interventions.
Digital Gap of Bihar and Jharkhand
2021
By Sana Alam
Sana Alam has tried to understand the impact of digital literacy programmes on the rural leadership and entrepreneurship skills especially focusing on women as to how they may be able to become the disseminating points of digital and financial literacy with ripple effects on their bargaining power on acquiring social security benefits.
Understanding Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor Atmanirbhar Nidhi Scheme Among Street Vendors of India
2021
By Anoushka Jha
Anoushka Jha, Research and Advocacy, has
written about the awareness regarding Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor Atmanirbhar Nidhi Scheme amongst the street vendor especially after the nation-wide lockdown due to pandemic cause by Covid-19.
Driving Online Safety and Educational Content Creation
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Ravi Guria and Pankaj Sharma of digital empowerment foundation compiled impact assessment report at the end of phase-1on driving online safety and educational content creation in the view of rising violence, regulation and potential to create far-reaching positive impact through social media.
Roti, Kapda, Makan Ya Internet ?
2020
By Anoushka Jha
Anoushka Jha, Research and Advocacy has analysed a survey conducted by Digital Empowerment Foundation wherein 16098 respondents from 4 states and 51 districts were asked to rank Roti, Kapda, Makan, Employment, Mobile and Internet in order of preference.
Understanding Agriculture and ICT Practices in India
2020
By Anoushka Jha
Anoushka Jha, Research and Advocacy, has tried to understand the existing agricultural practices, agrarian finance, production, storage and distribution of agrarian produce, and their ICT usage and practices based on a survey done in 5 states with 735 people.
GOAL- Evaluation Study
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Evaluation study of DEF’s program GOAL (Going Online As Leaders) which aims to empower young women from the tribal communities to become village-level digital leaders. Launched in February 2019 it has provided digital literacy training and mentorship to 100 women between ages 17 and 26 in five states of India.
Existing Landscape of Sexual Harassment Online
2020
By Vidisha Lal and Anoushka Jha
Vidisha Lal and Anoushka Jha have written on DEF’s survey aiming to explore people’s understanding of cyber bullying, it’s effect on the survivors, the efficiency of the solutions at hand and most importantly, the changes that can be brought about to improve the efficiency of the mechanism to counter cyber bullying
The Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown in Rural India
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
DEF conducted a survey to highlight the issues faced by the people in rural regions due to the lockdown. The survey was conducted across six states in the Hindi belt: Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Shramik Sampark Setu
2020
By Syed Kazi
One of the most affected population groups due to the COVID–19 and subsequent lockdown has been migrant workers, especially those in urban areas across the country, and those of them who returned home. Syed Kazi of DEF explores this humanitarian crisis in terms access to information, facilitation, rehabilitation.
Chronology of Misinformation Report- Hindi
2020
By Osama Manzar and Anoushka Jha
Misinformation has been posing a structural challenge to the society, it even become even more precarious during the COVID––19 pandemic. The pandemic demands scientific temperament, but that has been not the case and various misinformation become prevalent across communities. Anoushka Jha and Osama Manzar of DEF help us to understand various misinformation during the pandemic and its potential harm.
Chronology of Misinformation Report- English
2020
By Anoushka Jha & Osama Manzar
Misinformation has been posing a structural challenge to the society, it even become even more precarious during the COVID––19 pandemic. The pandemic demands scientific temperament, but that has been not the case and various misinformation become prevalent across communities. Anoushka Jha and Osama Manzar of DEF help us to understand various misinformation during the pandemic and its potential harm.
Enhancing Livelihoods of Artisans and Weavers in Knowledge Economy
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation & Commonwealth of Learning
India has a rich and vibrant history of craft tradition and craft skills with the textile and handicrafts sector being the second largest employment generator after agriculture. In this context it becomes imperative to understand the sector analysing its different aspects. Anoushka Jha of DEF helps us to do that in terms digital intervention in the sector.
DIGI POSHAN
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The Project report of DEF’s important work in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. DEF aimed to provide an effort to leverage digital technologies and community platforms for improved nutrition standards in India.
Understanding Linkages Between onlien harmful Speech Practices & Offline Violent Action
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This report is a result of grant from Facebook and is based on months long digital ethnography of social media account and discusses the nature of volatile content and hate speech on social media and its linkages to the offline violence taking place in the society.
Factors Determining Access to Public Schemes Information and Entitlement Benefits for the Tea Tribe Community: A Qualitative Study in Assam
2020
By Syed S. Kazi
This report enumerates the factors under sociocultural, socioeconomic and institutional themes that determine access to public schemes information and entitlement benefits for the tea tribe community in Aassm through qualitative interviews.
Endline Evaluation of Soochna Seva
2019
By Ipsos Public Affairs
The endline evaluation report of Soochna Seva is an impact analysis of the program Soochna Seva by IPSOS Research Private Limited. The endline was conducted among 200 end –beneficiaries and 24 stakeholders at the Block level and the Panchayat level.
Green Prakriya- Assessing, evaluating and mapping risks involved in the informal e-Waste sector in India
2019
By Ritu Srivastava
This case studies volume is a means of reflecting on collective experience of 14 major Indian CSOs that worked on the issue of improving last mile access to public schemes information in backward districts in India during 2014-2018, and supported by the European Union in India.
Protecting FOAA Online with Encryption Technologies
2018
By Zothan Mawii
Zothan Mawii has written about the necessity of private and secure communications as a condition for the effective exercise of FoAA. How private and secure communications can be ensured by encryption technologies making the call for encryption crucial.
Kept in the Dark
2018
By Zothan Mawii, Ritu Srivastava, Shivani Lal and Bijo P. Abraham
The paper tries to understand the social and psycho- logical impact of network shutdowns on the lives of people. It has analysed media reports of shutdowns (till August 2017) and conducted interviews in the affected areas of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir to find the inter-link between Internet shutdowns and their impact on the socio-cultural-economic well-being of citizens.
Community Networks
2017
By Ritu Srivastava
Access to connectivity is now well recognized as an enabler of socio-economic development, and can help address many of the barriers that presently exist for marginalized members of society. Ritu Srivastava of Digital Empowerment Foundation wrote experiences of India with community networks focussing regulatory, policy, spectrum, and legal challenges and how they affect Indian community networks.
Report: Digital Empowerment Foundation
EDGE Foundation Phase
2017
By Deepali Dharmaraj, Nataasha Southwell and Mansi Thakral
The English and Digital for Girls’ Education (EDGE) programme aims to improve the life prospects of adolescent girls in socio-economically marginalised communities in Bangladesh, India and Nepal where access to education and after-school learning is limited. The report puts light on the impact of the programme and need of educational learning such as English proficiency, digital skills and awareness of social issues in peer-led clubs.
Digiprayas- Digitisation of Villages
2017
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The Project report of DEF’s project Digiprayas aiming to work with communities in 12 panchayats across five states, to help them seek modern forms of banking through the digital medium, by first familiarizing them with the digital interface, and then helping them access digital banking services.
Anatomy of Virtual Curfews: Human Rights vs National Security
2017
By Ritu Srivastava
Internet shutdown has become pathological response to maintain law and order but, shutting down internet directly infringe on people’s fundamental right to receive and impart information, prevent them from contacting their loved ones during emergencies, and have an adverse impact on the economy. Ritu Srivastava puts light on early warning signs such human rights violations and state violence.
NOFN SPOT STUDY REPORT- Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
2016
By Raina Agarwal and Bijo P Abraham
National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) is an ambitious initiative to initiate broadband connectivity in rural India. Raina Agarwal and Bijo P Abraham help us to envisage envisaged as non-discriminatory access to network which helps to access information through the creation of a robust middle-mile infrastructure for reaching broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats.
Baseline Survey Report Nokia-DEF’s Digital Cluster Programme in Kanchipuram
2016
By Rucha Deshpande and Vivek A.S
Rucha Deshpande and Vivek A.S have written a Baseline survey report on developing a traditional skill-based cluster as an integrated digitally enabled cluster to empower artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs for socio-economic prosperity. The project is being implemented in Kancheepuram district located in Tamil Nadu.
Digikala report – Struggling to make a life
2015
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
DEF’s report on its project Digikala in Barabanki which involves inclusive and decentralized use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in critical aspects of cluster development, especially to improve and scale up weaving skills, designs, marketing and entrepreneurship, besides creating sustainable livelihood options for youth in the clusters.
Overcoming Challenges in Weaving through Technology
2015
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This report underlines the impact of DigiKala, – a Digital Empowerment Foundation in partnership with Microsoft Corporate Citizenship collaborative initiative – which primarily involves inclusive and decentralised use of ICT in critical aspects of cluster development, especially to improve and scale up weaving skills, designs, marketing and entrepreneurship, besides creating sustainable livelihood options for youth in the clusters.
Study TATA-MIT Education Initiative
2014
By Shahid Ahmad and Rucha Deshpande
The TATA Trust and MIT University, USA collaborated to develop an educational program for high schools and B.Ed. colleges in three states of India using modern educational technology and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Shahid Ahmed and Rucha Deshpande after studying their initiative, highlights challenges and some moving recommendations.
ICTs and Environmental Sustainability: Mapping national policy contexts India baseline study
2011
By Syed S. Kazi & Divya Menon
DEF in partnership with Association for Progressive Communications (APC) conducted a baseline study on the ICTs and its negative impact on the environment and ecosystem. With the growth of e-waste in India, the study aimed at developing understanding around ICTs’ sustainability and a way forward for the civil societies for ICTs’ management.
Digital Injot (Light): Tea Tribe & Adivasi Community Empowerment in Assam (India) in a Digital Age
2023
By CSDD
The Tea Tribe & Adivasi community residing in the tea gardens constitute 20% of Assam’s population in India. They have been brought to Assam during the colonial rule. Today, the community produces 53% of India’s total tea production and is the country’s second-largest tea-producing state.
ICT Enabled Rural Women Entrepreneurship Development in Assam and West Bengal: Challenges, Scope and Opportunities
2023
By DEF and CSDD
It seeks to increase Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLPFR) by building a sustainable entrepreneurship environment for rural women from Assam and West Bengal to thrive and succeed in existing and new Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are inclusive, technology-enabled, and environmentally sustainable.
Krisarthak: Financial Education and Counselling (FEC) of Farmers in Assam
2023
By DEF, FCF, CSDD, and IIBM
Krisarthak is an innovative program focused on providing financial education and counseling to farmers in Assam, India. As part of the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) and supported by the World Bank, the pilot implementation report evaluates the effectiveness of this initiative in empowering farmers with essential financial knowledge to improve their agricultural practices and overall financial well-being.
Digital Empowerment of Tea Tribe & Adivasis in Assam
2023
By DEF and CSDD
The Tea Tribe & Adivasi community in Assam comprises approximately 7 million people, accounting for nearly 20% of the state’s population. However, the younger generation faces obstacles in obtaining quality education, livelihoods, and opportunities. Furthermore, the community struggles with social, cultural, and economic identity challenges, making their integration with mainstream communities and institutions a distant aspiration.
Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Digital
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
With the support of EquallyAble Foundation, DEF empowered 500 disabled individuals across 7 states in India as sustainable village-level entrepreneurs, providing digital literacy training, tablets, and printers to offer various services to the community, fostering independence and dignity.
Transforming Education for the Digital Age: A Comprehensive Report on STEM Learning through Digital Academy
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
EquallyAble Digital Academy, implemented by DEF and EquallyAble Foundation, empowers communities for digitalization through STEM education. It prioritizes inclusivity, integrating women and Persons with Disabilities, and fosters a digitally integrated ecosystem to promote equity and higher education for a successful professional future.
Soochna Adhikar Kendra Progress Report
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The ‘Soochna Adhikar Kendra’ program aims to empower rural women and youth by offering livelihood opportunities, skill development, and employability in the information economy, while also providing cost-effective public and private information services to rural clients.
Samarth Goal Project Report
2021
Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a report of Samarth GOAL project which was a digital skilling and mentorship initiative that seeks to identify and mobilise 10 renowned people from differently able populations, who are working for the betterment of people with disability.
A Report on Digital Literacy and Vocational Program for the Youth of Budgam District, J&K
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) continuing its mission to bring digital inclusion a reality, together with School for Rural Development & Environment (SRDE, as a local parter), started a digital literacy center at Arizal village in Budgam district, Jammu & Kashmir.
The Digital Efficacy Of Women Micro And Nano Entrepreneurs Across India
2021
By Anoushka Jha
Anoushka Jha in this report has attempted to understand the current patterns of usage of digital tools amongst women entrepreneurs, their familiarity with financial tool and overall financial literacy, their existing business strategy and lastly their economic situation post lockdown.
SMARTPHONES & DIGITAL SCRIPTS: Overcoming Literacy Barriers
2020
By Osama Manzar and Kriti Singh
The report has used case studies to highlight that a people using smartphone and digital technologies defy the traditional definition of calling them illiterate as they are able to operate digital tools with efficiency.
Precarious Labour, Economic Inequality and Inadequate Social Protection in India
2020
By Asheef Iqubbal and Anoushka Jha
Asheef Iqubbal and Anoushka Jha have written this article which is a product of relief services provided by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) near the KMP Highway and the conversations that the staff had with migrant workers passing by. The aim of this article has been to understand the precarity that circumscribed the lives of this labour force and how progressive policy-making should include greater legal safeguards for this section of the population.
Understanding Institutional AI: Sectoral Case Studies From India
2020
By Anulekha Nandi
Anulekha Nandi has written the report aiming to form
the foundation for DEF’s sectoral deep dives and empirical social research in this area in contributing towards gap analysis, rights-based implications of automated decision-making systems, and working to mainstream a business and human rights framework within policy – making around emerging technologies.
Building Participatory Institutions for Public Service Delivery through Access to Information in Rural India
2019
By Anulekha Nandi
Anulekha Nandi in this paper has discussed the strategies to overcome barriers of access to social protection using lessons from DEF’ s integrated access to information and micro-social entrepreneurship programmes.
Community Network Exchange Report 2018
2018
By Udita Chaturvedi
The Community Network Exchange of 2018 focussed on identifying synergies between community networks and community radios in promoting public Wi-Fi access in Asia Pacific countries, this report documents the events, learnings shared knowledge produced.
Information Disorders: Disrupting Digital Citizenship Event Report 2018
2018
By Anulekha Nandi
DEF and the Internet Society (ISOC) organized the third Digital Citizen Summit from 1-2 November 2018 at India International Centre in New Delhi with the support from Mozilla and UNESCO. With the objective to find a solution to bridge the digital divide, find ways to extending access to information for the underserved, and create a platform for youth, women and social media enthusiasts to raiseawareness about internet rights, digital literacy, and digital security.
Digitalisation Cost benefit analysis of digitisation interventions in Andhra Pradesh
2018
By Ritu Srivastava and Eshita Mukherjee
DEF in this paper evaluates the costs and benefits derived from connecting the unconnected GPs through Non-Optical Fibre Network and Connecting rural households to Broadband using the Non-Optical Fibre Network infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh
Benefits and costs of digitisation interventions in Rajasthan
2018
By Ritu Srivastava and Eshita Mukherjee
DEF in this paper evaluates the costs and benefits derivedfrom connecting the unconnected GPs through Non-Optical Fibre Network and Connecting rural households to Broadband using the Non-Optical Fibre Network infrastructure in Rajasthan.
Internet Saathi Performance Report 2018
2018
By Balram Keshari, Irfan Khan, Saili Saha and Sharada Kerkar
Balram Keshari, Irfan Khan, Saili Saha and Sharada Kerkar have assessed the Internet Saathi programme, the aim of which was to train rural women to provide digital and Internet literacy in two states – Bihar and Madhya Pardesh in the year 2017.
Chanderiyaan: Weaving Digital Empowerment into the Indian Handloom Industry
2018
By Bishakha Majumdar, Sriparna Basu and Shilpi Jain
Bishakha Majumdar, Shilpi Jain and Sriparna Basu of FORE School of Management traced DEF’s history and digital interventions like Chanderiyaan and how such interventions have been proven instrumental in transforming Handloom industry.
Digitally Enabled Report- 2016
2016
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a five-part video series highlighting the role of the Internet and technology in people’s daily lives that aims to bridge the knowledge gap between policymakers and end users. The series is produced by the Alumni of US Government sponsored Exchange Programs in collaboration with Digital Empowerment Foundation and the US Mission to India.
Post event report- Social Impact award 2015
2015
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
It is a report of the North East Social Impact Awards 2015 which aims at identifying, recognising and documenting the initiatives by youth led organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations in North East India Region.
Connecting remote communities
2014
By Arjun Sen
Arjun Sen writes this report on how Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and the Internet Society (ISOC) jointly launched the Wireless for Communities (W4C) initiative in October 2010, which involves deploying line-of-sight wireless technology and low-cost WiFi equipment which utilise the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz spectrum bands to create community-owned and operated wireless networks.
Draft Policy Paper and Action Plan on Circular Economy in Electronics and Electrical Sectorin India
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Digital Empowerment Foundation organized a panel discussion based on a policy paper and action plan publishedby Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) on the issue of e-waste. This document outlines the entire panel discussion.
The Second Wave of Covid-19 Misinformation
2021
By Tarun Pratap and Anoushka Jha
The saga of misinformation and fake news didn’t stop spreading, rather the second wave saw a different kind misinformation being peddle across platforms. The research paper has analysed various mis/disinformation prevalent during the second wave of Covid-19.
Protests in the times of social media: A case of farmer’s agitation
2021
By Sana Alam and Asheef Iqubbal
The essay written by Sana Alam and Asheef Iqubbal attempts to explore the role of social media in terms of the mobilisation of protestors, tackling dis/misinformation campaigns, propaganda and the facilitation of the entire against new farm laws.
GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY WATCH 2020
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Anoushka Jha contributed a country report on behalf of DEF. The paper talks about the rise in e-waste and the urgent need to recycle the same and contextualises the role of informal sector waste workers in this process of recycling and policy framework.
Digital Empowerment and Indian Handlooms: Case-based Policy Recommendations
2021
By Bishakha Majumdar, Sriparna Basu, Shilpi Jain
This paper provides a policy framework for the digital empowerment of handloom workers and the digital transformation of the handloom trade. It draws upon the Digital Cluster Development Programme (DCDP) of Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in three handloom clusters in India
Bridging the Digital Divide for girls in India
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3), in association with Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), embarked on a primary survey to understand the yawning digital gap that India’s adolescent girls are faced with, at a time when the country itself is undergoing a heightened interest in and demand for a digital transformation in economy and society.
Covid-19 Lockdown Leaves Delhi Migrant Workers With Neither Jobs Nor Social Security; Experts Blame Political Apathy, Lack of Legal Protection
2020
By Asheef Iqubbal
This report highlights the precarity of workers during the pandemic as scores of migrant workers were forced to leave cities and head towards towns, with no food, transport and social security net.
Response to the Consultation on Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT) Services/Internet Services and net Neutrality
2019
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is DEF’s publication presents the organisation’s response to the Consultation on Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT) Services/ Internet Services and Net Neutrality.
Submission of Comments on MEITY’s draft Information Technology [Intermediary Guidelines (Amendment) Rules], 2018
2018
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) submitted comments/suggestions on the draft Information Technology [Intermediary Guidelines (Amendment) Rules] 2018.
Building Sustainable Wireless Community Networks: Experiences from India
2017
By Ritu Srivastava
Ritu Srivasatva has written on Wireless for Communities program of DEF and how this program aims to provide affordable, ubiquitous and democratically controlled internet access in rural regions of the country.
Exclusion from Digital Infrastructure and Access
2016
By Eshita Mukherjee, Osama Mazar, Raina Aggarwal and Rajat Kumar
Eshita Mukherjee; Osama Mazar; Raina Aggarwal; and Rajat Kumar have written for India Exclusion Report (IXR) 2016. They have defined digital inclusion as a “wagon to social inclusion that ensures individuals and disadvantaged groups have access to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the skills to use them to be able to participate in and benefit from an increasingly electronically mediated knowledge economy and information society”.
Indian Internet in late 90s and Contrast After a Quarter Century
2023
By Osama Manzar
In this narrative Osama Manzar brings out how the Internet was taking shape in India during the 90s, through his earlier writings for the weekly newsmagazine, The Industry Standard of Silicon Valley, and co-relating to the current times of Internet, India and global integration.
20 DIGITAL YEARS: A Narrative of Inclusion and Exclusion
2022
By Osama Manzar
Reflecting on 20 years of Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) is like painting a canvas with 20 different colours. The digital space and scenario has evolved, morphed, exploded, imploded, opened up opportunities, restricted freedom of speech, instilled confidence in the ambitious and also stunted growth succumbing to online bullying.
27 Years of Internet in India: Only a Citizen can save the Internet from its Consumer
2022
By Osama Manzar
After completing journalism in 1990, I ended up jobless for more than four years. My survival kit was erratic freelance assignments, and free food supply from the hostel dining halls of Jawaharlal Nehru University, courtesy my friend who was a student there, and who later became my life partner.
Osama Manzar: The man who travelled to 10,000 villages
2022
By Priya Ramani
Manzar has made it his mission to teach Indians to use the Internet and create livelihoods. When Indians termed ‘inspirational’ the story of a girl who climbed up a hill for a signal to access online classes during the pandemic and sat under an umbrella in the sun to study, Osama Manzar shook his turbaned head in disbelief. “It was deprivation news, not inspiration news.”
YOJANA- A Development Monthly
2022
By Osama Manzar, Megha Katheria, Dr Syed S Kazi
Schemes such as JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) Trinity and Digital India marked a watershed moment in the financial inclusion of rural India. The digital push gave a new fervour to making financial and banking services accessible to rural areas.
Digital India’s Success has come out of collaboration
2022
By Osama Manzar
IT was 2003 and Geneva was hosting the first
global summit on using digital infrastructure for serving the development needs of communities. I was in the India Pavilion when Arun Shourie walked in — lean, alert and full of probing questions in an almost journalistic manner.
SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS ALL OF US: The debate over social media needs to be expanded beyond the policy spheres.
2021
By Asheef Iqubbal
India enacted Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) on 25 May 2021 that regulates user generated content and is being criticised…
Rural Wi-Fi: Can it be a game-changer for Digital India?
2021
By Osama Manzar, Founder-Director, Digital Empowerment
In 2015, the Indian government announced the launch of Digital India, a set of campaigns and projects that sought to increase digital services and connectivity in the country and use the internet to make government services available to its citizens.
We are the digital designers fighting information poverty
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The Legatum Center at MIT has been conducting research on Innovation-driven enterprises (IDE) that are unlocking significant business and societal value by solving systemic problems that conventional business models have not been able to solve.
Internet to the Rescue of Unscripted Languages
2020
By Osama Manzar, Udita Chaturvedi and Abner Manzar
Osama Manzar, Udita Chaturvedi and Abner Manzar on behalf of Digital Empowerment Foundation submitted a response to the Best Practice Forum (BPF) on the issues and challenges faced by India on the preservation of local language, history and/or cultural heritage.
Community Networks: A boon in times of pandemic and lockdown
2020
By Kriti Singh and Osama Manzar
The document entails the story of a rookie computer engineer who brought digital entrepreneurship and wireless technologies to his tribal village in India to connect people living in remote areas through Community Networks.
The Impact of Coivd-19 on the Weavers of Musiri
2020
By Abner Manzar and Shreya Sehgal
Abner Manzar and Shreya Sehgal have written about the impact of COVID-19 on the weavers of Musiri, a weaver cluster in Tamil Nadu. The cluster has been a part of Digital Empowerment Foundation and Mphasis’s initiative of digitally empowering the marginalised community of Trichy weavers.
The binary Language to unbind digital literacy for illiterate
2019
By Ritu Srivastava
Ritu Srivastava, Research and Advocacy, has written this paper which takes a long term and meta-level view of existing literature and narratives from the ground that explore the journey of digital literacy for first generation technology learners.
How a Script-Agnostic Media Can Empower The Illiterate
2019
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Osama Manzar has written about how people without basic primary education and mostly living in rural and tribal belts of India can engage in online activities with the help of digital tools such as mobile phone.
Module 3: Facilitating Access to Citizen Services
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This module provides an overview of various digital solutions that can be used to facilitate access to citizen services. The module covers topics such as online portals, mobile applications, digital identity authentication, and e-payment systems, among others.
Module 4: Critical Digital Literacy
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
In this module, we will explore the importance of critical digital literacy in today’s world and how it can help us stop the spread of fake news and misinformation. We will discuss the characteristics of reliable sources and how to identify and evaluate them. We will also explore the impact of fake news on individuals and society and the ethical responsibilities of digital citizens.
Critical Digital Literacy
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
In this module, we will explore the importance of critical digital literacy in today’s world and how it facilitates online safety and security. By the end of this module, we will have gained a solid understanding of critical digital literacy and developed the skills necessary to evaluate and share information responsibly. We will be better equipped to navigate the digital world with confidence and make informed decisions about the information we encounter.
A Course for Barefoot Wireless Engineers- Setting up Wireless Networks Module I
2019
By Vasanta Akondy and Ritu Srivastava
This is a two-part course this first part covers some basic concepts related to planning the setup of wireless networks such as conducting a location survey and selecting the required hardware.
State Public Library Conference 2018
2018
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The report is made on a two-day State Public Library Conference (SPLC) organised by Indian Public Library Movement (IPLM) and Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF). The theme of the conference was ‘Transforming Public Libraries in India: Opportunities and Challenges in Digitising Information, Content and Services’.
Rural Information Society & Economy: Leveraging Citizen Need through Information Enterprise, Digital Skill & Entrepreneurship
2017
By Digtial Empowerment Foundation
This is a consultation report prepared by DEF for Soochnapreneurship 2017 event organised at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 3rd August, 2017 by Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in partnership with Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach programme.
Green Prakriya Project Information
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The fundamental idea of DIGITAL GREEN PRAKRIYA PROGRAM is to transition from the traditional linear economy, where resources are extracted, transformed into products, and eventually discarded as waste, to a more circular and regenerative approach.
Rural Digital Innovations: From the Learnings and Experiences of Digital Empowerment Foundation
2023
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Over the past 20 years, the digital space and scenario have evolved, morphed, exploded, imploded, opened up opportunities, restricted freedom of speech, instilled confidence in the ambitious and also stunted growth succumbing to online bullying and fake news.
Skillbot_PCF10 Presentation
2022
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
SkillBot is a one of a kind telegram based chatbot designed for building digital capacities for people in rural areas of India to enhance their livelihood. An interactive chatbot has been customised for this purpose to engage people. It is a self-learning-based learning management system customised for this purpose to engage people with multiple mediums of the learning experience.
Digital Sarthak
2022
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Digital Sarthak is a national digital entrepreneurship and empowerment programme. The main objective of the project is to increase the digital capacity of Women entrepreneurs and community development organizations in marginalized and underserved regions in India by providing them with digital up-skilling support and strengthening their ability to engage on digital and ICT policy issues.
GOAL_PCF10
2022
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) initiated the program Going Online as Leaders (GOAL) —to connect urban women who are leaders in their fields with rural women online to provide them guidance and support in digital skills to bridge the information gap. The program helps enable these girls to gain exposure and access to digital tools and learn about its uses and the latest technology innovations that are happening around the world.
Limited Access Restricting Expression
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This presentation talks about the report of the activities of Advocacy for Change through Technology in India, Pakistan and Malaysia (IMPACT) Project of the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) under the Internet Rights project at DEF.
STEM FOR GIRLS
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a presentation about the initiative aimed to improve education and career pathways for girls in schools and shares about the activities, testimonials, engagement and impact of the project which took place in the states of Assam and Telangana.
DEF Gets Justice Sunanda Bhandare Award
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Babita Saini of Digital Empowerment Foundation is the recipient of the 2021 Justice Sunanda Bhandare Award for its crucial role in helping to bridge India’s digital gender gap at time when the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has made online learning and access to digital information a necessity in a country where only one in four citizens has access to a digital device.
WhatsNext- Building Community Entrepreneurship and Fighting Misinformation
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
WhatsNext is an initiative of WhatsApp India and DEF that has emerged out of their partnership in ‘Fighting Fake News. WhatsNext aims to enhance the reach of WhatsApp as a primary tool of productive communication and constructive capacity building across India by driving the entrepreneurial efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises through WhatsApp Business and reaching out to over 50,000 people with the knowledge and awareness to fight misinformation towards building an evolved digital society.
WhatsApp “FAKE NEWS’ & “MISINFORMATION”
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This kit is designed to give the trainers along with the community people, students, police officials and NGOs, a framework to deal with fake news, misinformation and disinformation. The activities are contextual and extremely practical and participatory.
DIGI SUPPORT
By Axis Bank and Digital Empowerment Foundation
DigiSupport is a project initiated by Axis Bank and Digital Empowerment Foundation to empower financially excluded communities to digitally access and consume financial products, services and information through rural digital interventions.
Establishing Women Soochnapreneur
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The presentation elaborates on the process of building Soochnapreneurs which involves their identification, enrolment, and engagement with the community. The presentation also explains the need, types, areas of training and capacity building of the Soochnapreneurs in a sustained mode including identifying community needs, planning and design for services, outreach and engagement, promotion, visibility, running NANO SP centres, documentation & reporting.
MIL for oralilliteratenon-script
2019
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The presentation elaborates how Media Information and Literacy can be imparted to people without basic literacy. It also introduces the START kit, a digital learning toolkit that has been designed for first generation technology users to promote digital inclusion and fight information poverty
Establishing Smartpur- Part 2
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The module elaborates the entire methodology
of setting up an entire village ecosystem. With an aim to make the reader identify the social problems, needs of the community, project planning, identifying human resources, establishing the centres, training and capacity building of rural entrepreneurs, documentation & reporting and community engagement.
Establishing Smartpur- Part 3
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
The third module elaborates the entire process of service delivery under six pillars of education, health, governance, finance, livelihood and entertainment. Along with detailed description what each pillar aims to achieve, what are its infrastructure and tool requirements and lastly the methodology behind implementation.
Rural Dip – Rural Digital Immersion Program
2017
By Ravi Guria & Udita Chaturvedi
Rural Digital Immersion Programme or Rural DIP is an initiative of the DEF that has been conceptualised to share experiential learning from rural India with people across the globe. This programme facilitates an individual or a group of people to take a “dip” into the lives of rural citizens and their culture in regions where digital interventions have made an impact.
Women Connected: Strategies for Bringing the Gender Digital Divide in India
2023
By Reliance Foundation and Observer Research Foundation
The Women Connect Challenge India was launched in 2020 by Reliance Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Women’s inclusion in the creation and use of technology are important factors towards empowerment, facilitated by women’s financial inclusion, entrepreneurial aspirations, and civic participation.
Go Behind TIME’ Mark Zuckerberg Cover With Photographer Ian Allen
2023
By Lev Grossman
When a photo shoot doesn’t go according to plan, the “only thing you can do is to rely on what you’ve done in the past,” says Ian Allen. The San Francisco-based photographer had to do just that when TIME assigned him to shoot this week’s magazine cover story, which features Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Inside Facebook’s Plan to Wire the World
2023
By Lev Grossman
Chandauli, a rural Indian town, is not on Google Maps and is home to people living below the poverty line. Today, it attracts global attention as Mark Zuckerberg, the 14th wealthiest man, visits in search of something undefined. Facebook, the company he co-founded, turned 10, and Zuckerberg himself turned 30, marking a significant shift for the once-young Silicon Valley startup.
India’s Tech Obsession May Leave Millions of Workers Without Pay
2023
By Parth M.N.
India’s tech obsession may unintentionally lead to dire consequences as the Modi government mandates low-paid workers to adopt a flawed digital registration system, which proves ineffective in areas with limited internet access. This move risks leaving millions of workers without proper pay and exacerbates the existing digital divide.
Instagram Posts About a 17th-Century King Are Getting People Arrested
2023
By Parth M.N.
The growing influence of right-wing groups in India is leading to a disturbing trend where individuals are being arrested based on Instagram posts related to a 17th-century king, as these groups actively monitor and report minorities for supposed religious offenses. This crackdown on social media is raising concerns about freedom of expression and the targeting of marginalized communities.
India’s Million Missions: 75 Years of Service Toward Nation-Building
2023
The authors of this report are drawn from the CSO COALITION@75 and have devoted pro bono time for it, in the best traditions of civil society and have been involved in the research and writing of the various sections of this report.
Non-profit crisis leadership during the COVID-19
pandemic in India and the United States
2023
By Katherine Rosenbusch, Krishna Gajjar, Aindrila Chatterjee & Sonal Soni
During extreme crises, governments’ capacity is compromised, and they need support from non-profits, especially to reach the vulnerable and marginalised. Our qualitative study examines leadership response to the COVID-19 pandemic at four US and Indian nonprofits; they paused their mission-related activities to focus on crisis leadership tasks.
Last Mile Connectivity-Addressing the Affordability Frontier
2022
By Asian Development Bank
Jonathan Brewer consults for the telecommunications industry on the design, build, and operation of broadband, public safety, and Internet of Things networks. His customers are operators, governments, nongovernment organizations, and users throughout the Asia and Pacific region.
Why Did Santoshi Die?
2022
By H. Masud Taj
H Masud Taj is based in Canada, he’s an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism and continues his practice as an architect, poet, and calligrapher. His writings can be accessed on Academia. He has created calligraphic poetry and art word tributing 20 years of DEF’s work and also attributing Osama Manzar for his dedication to social work and achieving feet of travelling more than 10,000 villages in India and across the world.
In his tribute, he converted one of the columns written by Osama Manzar.
The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2021
2021
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This report focuses on the gender gap observed in the usage of mobile phones and the consequent negative and disproportionate impact. In the wake of the pandemic, this report sheds light on improving the gender equality that has been gained over the years by emphasizing on access to mobile phones to women.
Encryption Pros and Cons
2021
By Adeola Akinla, Ayesha Gulley, Kirthika Selvakumar, Zoe Tilsiter
This is a report on discussing the pros and cons of double edged encryption technology. While this technology makes is easier to establish confidentiality and security, it serves as an easier way to conceal criminal activity which has to be considered by the policymakers in bringing new regulations.
Fast Forward to Civilizational Greatness: Agenda for India
2021
By Pradip N. Khandwalla
This book encompasses a holistic approach towards achieving a great civilization with anecdotes from exceptional NGOs which have contributed to fill the gaps of growth and excerpts from history that proudly boasted about the richness of human civilization.
Asia-Pacific Regional Community Networks Summit 2021
Innovating Policymaking to Connect the Unconnected
2021
By Internet Society
It is a summary report of Asia-Pacific Regional Community Networks Summit 2021 which reflected on the progress since the 2019 Summit in improving connectivity, and the use of Community Networks (CN) as a complementary access solution in the Asia-Pacific region. COVID-19 has made this work especially pressing.
Rural Broadband Policy Framework: Connecting the Unconnected
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) in partnership with DEF, among others, developed a Rural Broadband Policy Framework (RBPF) which aimed to provide guidance to address the persistent ‘Digital Divide’, with a focus on the context and challenges faced in rural areas.
Artificial intelligence: Human rights, social justice and development
2019
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Anulekha Nandi, Research and Advocacy,
contributed to GIS Watch 2019 edition on the contextual parameters and questions around evaluating institutional application of AI and developing ethical governance frameworks.
iMPACT: Insights & Inspiration for Social Innovation
2018
By AsianNGO
iMPACT Magazine covers dedicated features on the issues and strategies in the development sector. Over 1,500 copies are published in print quaterly, discussing themes in nonprofit, CSR, social enterprise and philanthropic leaders.
Building Sustainable Wireless Community Networks: Experiences from India
2017
By Ritu Srivastava
Ritu Srivastava, Research and Advocacy, contributed to Alliance for Affordable Internet’s (A4AI) 2017 affordability report shedding light on DEF’s initiative — W4C, aiming to provide affordable, ubiquitous and democratically controlled internet access in the rural regions of India.
Disrupting Democracy
2017
By Osama Manzar and Udita Chaturvedi
Osama Manzar – Founder, Director and Udita Chaturvedi contributed to Bertelsmann Foundation’s series called ‘Disrupting Democracy’ aimed at arguing how connecting India institutionally would not only open access to information, rights, entitlements and possibilities of a better livelihood but also enables behavioural and social changes in communities.
Community Connectivity: Building the Internet from Scratch
2016
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Ritu Srivastava, Research and Advocacy,
contributed to Community Connectivity: Building the Internet from Scratch, an annual report of the UN IGF Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity, exploring the efficacy of creating wireless community networks (WCN), Rural Internet Service Provider (RISP) or Community-based Internet Service Provider (C-ISP) as well as the possibility of policies in wide spreading information infrastructure for the larger masses of the country.
How Free is Free Speech in Digital Age?
2023
By Common Cause
At Common Cause, we staunchly defend the citizens’ non-negotiable rights to free speech, liberty, and belief, recognizing the propensity of governments to excessively curtail these rights. Upholding the spirit of ‘reasonable’ restrictions, we remain committed to safeguarding Justice, Equality, and Fraternity for all.
Mobile Effect
2013
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
Vodafone Foundation in association with DEF began the ‘Mobiles for good’ initiative under which NGOs/initiatives that have been working towards instrumentalising mobiles for social good, were provided with crucial grants for improvising and scaling up.
ICTs and Environmental Sustainability: Mapping National Policy contexts India baseline study
2011
By Syed S. Kazi & Divya Menon
DEF in partnership with Association for Progressive Communications (APC) conducted a baseline study on the ICTs and its negative impact on the environment and ecosystem. With the growth of e-waste in India, the study aimed at developing understanding around ICTs’ sustainability and a way forward for the civil societies for ICTs’ management.
Digital Review of Asia-Pacific
2009-2010
By SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pvt. Ltd.
The Digital Review of Asia Pacific wishes to acknowledge the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for its proactive engagement and financial support, for its commitment and encouragement to regional research and authorship, and for its dissemination of research results within and beyond the Asia Pacific region.
Social Networks for Public Good- SM4E Awards
2020-21
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
It is a report of 2021 social media for Change Awards that honour and recognise those social media initiatives that are using social media technology as a catalyst for communication, spreading awareness and fulfilling their mission and needs of social development.
Mobile First
2020
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
South Asia has the largest unconnected population across the globe. In the contemporary world, with mobile phones emerging as the first choice for digital
initiation, the South Asians are gradually marking their presence on the world map as the largest ‘mobile first’ population to join the netizens.
Mobile Society
2017
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
South Asia has the largest unconnected population across the globe. In the contemporary world, with mobile phones emerging as the first choice for digital initiation, the South Asians are gradually marking their presence on the world map as the largest ‘mobile first’ population to join the netizens.
CIRC Award 2016-17
2016-17
By Sharada Kerkar and Adya Parashar
Community Information Resource Centre (CIRC), the flagship programme of Digital Empowerment Foundation, envisions creation of information empowered, equitable communities by providing digital access to information, knowledge and online services.
Digital North East for Digital India
2016
By Dr Syed Kazi, Rimi Phukan
There are plenty of digital innovations happening in the North East region, with the coming-of-age bright entrepreneurial minds, putting together brilliant ideas for implementation in the region and ensuring a technical facelift to the development process of North East India.
District Collector as Digital Champions
2015
By Digital Empowerment Foundation
This is a report on Digital Champion Awards 2015 that seeks to recognise and encourage district level administrators in India who champion the cause of using ICT tools to ensure citizen empowerment and better delivery of government services to citizens in day-to-day governance.
Social Media @ Your service – SM4E Awards
2014
By Osama Manzar
It is a report of 2014 social media for Change Awards that honour and recognise those social media initiatives that are using social media technology as a catalyst for communication, spreading awareness and fulfilling their mission and needs of social development.