Rural SolutionsAjender Singh Chawla
Call +91 78958 17157 Email

Selected assignments

  • Independent evaluations for Tata Trusts

    2011–17

    Evaluations whose recommendations shaped the next phase of funding.

    • Bamboo and natural-fibre livelihoods (2011): SHGs and cooperatives in 29 villages; exit strategy and Phase 3 design (₹1.38 crore grant)
    • Medicinal and aromatic plants (2011–12): final evaluation
    • Portfolio monitoring (2011–12): NGO partners in organic farming and livestock, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
    • Integrated livelihoods, two disaster-affected districts (2016–17): end-line evaluation of a four-year programme; restructured the enterprise it created

  • Blended finance for community enterprises

    GIZ and NABARD, 2010–12

    Making community enterprises investment-ready for NABARD’s UPNRM concessional credit.

    • 50+ projects appraised and financed: ₹50 crore+ in concessional credit
    • SOS Organics, Uttarakhand: ₹1.5 crore working-capital loan for Himalayan produce
    • Gorukana, Karnataka: community-owned wellness enterprise employing Soliga tribal youth
    • Pipeline and partnerships: investment-readiness for NGOs and producer institutions, including the Aga Khan Foundation; PPP scoping in five states

  • Building a state bamboo and natural-fibre sector

    Government of Uttarakhand, 2003–06

    State Livelihood Coordinator, UBFDB, and Managing Director, Uttaranchal Bamboo Development Company.

    • ₹5 crore mobilised: 200+ community enterprises promoted
    • 20-year state perspective plan: investor meets; led the state delegation to the World Bamboo Congress, 2004
    • Skills and markets: design with NID; sales through Dilli Haat and urban buyers
    • Infrastructure: common facility centres, including “Ajeevika Vatika”; bamboo housing with INBAR

  • Livelihood programmes for UNDP

    2017–19

    • Ahmednagar, Maharashtra (2018–19): five agri livelihood models adding ₹1.5 crore a year for 2,500 households; skilling for 3,500 rural women
    • Sahibganj, Jharkhand (2017): SHG needs assessment, feasibility report and first SHG enterprise plans

  • CSR-funded livelihood development

    Azim Premji Foundation and Wipro, 2012–15

    • Wipro CSR’s integrated livelihood programme: designed and led, in disaster-affected districts
    • 1,000+ households: dairy, organic farming, community tourism and crafts
    • 250-member state team: annual planning and review

  • Large-scale delivery with government

    • Citizen Data Vault, Uttarakhand (2006–08): State Project Manager; World Bank–supported biometric database of 22 lakh residents at 99.7% accuracy
    • Bhamashah, Rajasthan (2008–10): State Head; 200+ team built a panchayat-level banking network; 1,000 rural women trained to run village banking points

  • Resource mobilisation for grassroots organisations

    2021–26

    • Ibtada, Alwar: ₹20 crore in 18 months from 15 CSR and philanthropic donors, including Axis Bank Foundation, EdelGive and HDFC Parivartan
    • Rootbridge Services: ₹2 crore+ in individual giving for CRY, Oxfam and others; 500 fundraisers trained

Discuss an assignment

Call +91 78958 17157Email ajender@ruralsolutions.in