Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA) is a NON-PROFIT organization based in Pune, serving underprivileged CHILDREN and WOMEN through EDUCATIONAL and SKILLING programmes.
IDEA originated from the findings of a PhD study by Dr. Usha Pillai to deal with the problems in education and developmental issues of the marginalized people. Realizing the need for adopting a holistic approach to minimize school dropout, IDEA started its work in a slum in 2002 with a study centre and later expanded its work to include educational sponsorship for High school children and also started Skill development courses for women and youth since 2008.
Currently IDEA runs 5 core programmes –
UTKARSH – Community based Study centres for children
UDAAN – Educational sponsorship for deserving & needy children
ASHAKIRAN – Skill development courses for women and youth
UNNATI -Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP) to encourage women to start their own business
E-SAKSHAR– Digital Literacy programme for all
IDEA has its presence in more than 26 communities in and around Pune and 11 villages around Hinjewadi and Bhor in Maharashtra state, some areas in kerala and Chennai in India directly reaching out to 3500 underprivileged children/ women/ youth every year.