This year, our internship program brought together a diverse and talented group of individuals dedicated to driving grassroots change across India. Stationed in various locations, from the tea gardens of North Bengal to the artisan clusters of Tamil Nadu, each intern undertook specific projects tailored to community needs. Under the guidance of our dedicated managers, they engaged in critical research, implementation, documentation, and training, leaving a tangible impact on the communities they served.

This report details the significant contributions of each intern, showcasing the breadth and depth of their work in fostering digital inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and community empowerment.

Grassroots Research & Needs Assessment

A core component of our work involves deep-diving into local contexts to understand community aspirations and challenges. This year, our research interns focused on critical areas, from livelihood alternatives to the needs of GI-tagged artisan communities.

  • Vipin and Ankana Pramanik were based in Coochbehar, North Bengal. Their joint research project focused on a vital issue: studying the aspirations for alternative livelihoods among women and young girls in the region’s closed tea gardens. They explored how traditional skills and local interests could be harnessed to create new economic opportunities, providing crucial data for future interventions.
  • Santhiya M, was assigned to the region of Salem, Tamil Nadu. Her primary role was to conduct a detailed Need Assessment of Geographical Indication (GI) locations. Santhiya’s work involved preparing an exhaustive list of GI-tagged clusters in Tamil Nadu, followed by coordinated field visits to assess community needs directly. Her efforts culminated in a comprehensive report profiling these unique locations, sharing key findings, and offering actionable suggestions to support these artisan economies.

Community Empowerment and On-Ground Implementation

Translating research into action is where real change happens. Our implementation team worked directly with local communities to strengthen our ongoing projects and establish new centers of digital empowerment.

  • In Wardha, Maharashtra, Arti Wahul, focused on skills training and implementation. Her mission was twofold: first, to identify local handloom clusters and support artisans through the RAM project; and second, to identify and establish new Soochnapreneur (information-entrepreneur) centers to expand digital access in the region.
  • Chandan Dawar was tasked with strengthening our centers in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, under the guidance of Shruti. His role was centered on direct, hands-on support. He visited ten SoochnaPreneur centers, submitting detailed reports for each and capturing ten powerful case stories that highlight the transformative impact of these centers on local lives.
  • In Birbhum, West Bengal, Divyansh Singh, was responsible for the implementation of digital literacy programs for artisans. He conducted comprehensive training sessions, captured success stories, and onboarded weavers onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). A key part of his role was also to document the entire process, ensuring that the learnings and impact were recorded.

Documentation and Critical Literacy Module Development

Capturing our impact and creating accessible knowledge are crucial for sustainable growth. Interns in this vertical focused on creating high-quality reports and educational materials.

  • Aanchal Gupta, based in Delhi and was responsible for a critical piece of documentation: the comprehensive Annual Report for the Udyamini Project. Her task was to synthesize the project’s progress, impact, achievements, and challenges over the past year, focusing on its success in empowering women entrepreneurs through digital inclusion and capacity building.
  • Zainul Abid, also based in Delhi, had a unique and creative role. He was tasked with developing simplified and engaging Critical Literacy Modules on climate change and the digital transition. Rooted in DEF’s foundational reports, his work involved translating complex concepts into accessible, story-based formats—like flipbooks and scripts—that can be used for awareness-building at the grassroots level.