Impact Chronicles
Shaping CSR with Evidence
Sambodhi’s CSR1.ai initiative hosted a webinar series on enhancing the effectiveness of CSR projects. Key topics included socio-economic impact assessment, resource optimization, evidence-based strategies, and accountability, aiming to maximize outcomes and align projects with community needs for sustainable development.
Episode 1
Impact Assessment: Driving Efficiency in CSR Implementation
December 20, 2024 | 04:00 pm IST
This webinar explored the role of impact assessment in elevating the efficiency of CSR projects. Through expert perspectives, the discussion shed light on best practices, emerging trends, and actionable strategies for incorporating impact assessments into CSR project planning and implementation.
Speakers
Aishwarya Ravikumar (Moderator)
Research Manager
Sambodhi
Aishwarya Ravikumar is a public health and social impact advocate with extensive experience in program monitoring, evaluation, and CSR. She has worked with government agencies, corporates, and grassroots organizations to design impactful programs aligned with sustainable development goals. A graduate of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, she has led large-scale initiatives like NITI Aayog’s Viksit Gujarat @2047 and POSHAN Abhiyaan, driving measurable outcomes through stakeholder engagement and evidence-based strategies.
Pradeep Singh
Head - Monitoring & Impact Team,
HDFC Bank CSR
Pradeep Singh is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), Impact Management, Applied Research, and Sustainability. He currently leads the Monitoring & Impact team for HDFC Bank’s CSR, the second largest CSR initiative in India, managing a budget of ~$120 million.
His expertise spans diverse domains, including Education, Environment, Health, Skill Development, and Financial Inclusion, where he designs Theories of Change, log frames, and KPIs to monitor and evaluate projects nationwide. Pradeep has also spearheaded capacity-building programs for over 200 stakeholders, developed innovative digital tools for real-time monitoring, and designed frameworks for over 250 research studies annually. His insights have guided CSR Boards, investors, and government bodies, driving sustainable development across 25 states.
Biswaranjan Baraj
Assistant Vice President –
Research
Sambodhi
With over two decades of experience in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), CSR, and development research, Biswaranjan specializes in transforming data into actionable insights that drive sustainable impact. He has led 100+ projects across agriculture, climate change, governance, and education, collaborating with global and regional partners to address critical challenges.
At Sambodhi, Biswaranjan heads the Government Advisory and CSR teams, crafting evidence frameworks that measure impact and inspire action. A recognized leader in CSR strategy and volunteering initiatives, he aligns projects with community aspirations and global development priorities, enabling organizations to design and scale programs that leave a lasting legacy.
Vineet Mishra
Senior Manager
HCLFoundation
Vineet Kumar Mishra is a seasoned CSR and Monitoring & Evaluation(M&E) practitioner with over a decade of experience in the development sector alone. He currently leads the M&E function at HCLFoundation, overseeing projects across India, collaborating with Subject Matter Experts to conduct comprehensive impact assessments and ensuring that data-driven insights guide all strategic decisions and course correction, if any. Additionally, Vineet contributes to CSR compliance and statutory reporting, including Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting.
Vineet holds an MBA in Rural Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar and is recognized for his strong analytical, research, and data management skills.
We talked about
01
Practical insights on integrating impact assessments into CSR planning.
02
Exposure to tools and frameworks that enhance assessment efficiency.
03
Understanding challenges and solutions in measuring CSR project impacts.
04
Learning from real-world examples to replicate best practices.
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