Unlocking community knowledge of the social space in a new way, The Pioneer brings to you our chat with Shiv Kumar, Chief Integrator of the Community Action Collaborative, sharing his insights on the changing social space.
Organizations and NGOs of all sizes are embracing experimentation with new economic models, technologies, and impact evaluation techniques in the rapidly changing field of social innovation. The establishment of alliances and partnerships both within and between sectors is a major focus, highlighting the value of cross-organisational collaboration in the sharing of skills, resources, and knowledge. Shiv Kumar, Chief Integrator of the Community Action Collaborative, offers his insights on the changing social space. He notes that in recent years, a more impact-driven, diverse, and collaborative approach has gained traction.
“The social environment has changed dramatically in recent years, becoming more impact-driven. Seeing so many humanitarian and environmental organizations spring up with a clear mission is incredibly motivating. These organizations are committed to making a beneficial difference in society, in contrast to typical ones that are only concerned with making money. Among them are non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and impact investment corporations, each of which contributes differently to the advancement of social change,” he said.
According to him what distinguishes these organizations is their steadfast dedication to adopting novel business strategies and utilizing state-of-the-art technologies. Instead of being constrained by traditional methods, they welcome fresh concepts and methods that enable them to tackle environmental and social issues in fresh and long-lasting ways. “One of the most remarkable aspects of these entities is their multifaceted approach to tackling social issues,” he says as he keeps sharing his ideas. “They understand that social issues are interrelated and cannot be solved on their own. Rather, they embrace a comprehensive viewpoint and proactively address a range of concerns, including but not limited to poverty, education, healthcare, and climate change. This all-encompassing strategy illustrates how social space is changing, with organizations realizing the connections between many environmental issues also and striving for complete solutions.”
In general, there has been a major change in the social sphere in recent years, with a focus on impact-driven projects, diversity, and collaboration. The emergence of these mission-driven organisations, and their adoption of technology and innovation show the amazing strides they have achieved in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future. “Working with various organisations—including NGOs, for-profit businesses, and governmental agencies—in the social sphere offers a dynamic environment full of potential and difficulties. In order to maximise my combined influence, it is critical that I manage these complications. Our propensity to address social issues in discrete silos, frequently without a thorough and coordinated strategy, is one of the main challenges we confront. This disjointed reaction makes it more difficult for us to bring about significant change. Furthermore, a common problem among civil society organisations is needless competition! Despite the urgent need for cooperation, organisations compete with one another for funds and attention rather than working together to achieve shared objectives due to the scarcity of resources. To overcome this obstacle, we must change our focus from individual success to collective effect, making teamwork the cornerstone of our efforts,” indicated the social investor.
The tendency to place logos and egos above the real impact being made is another issue that has to be addressed. It is critical to put more emphasis on the results and constructive changes they may bring about for society and less emphasis on the need for individual attribution and acclaim! Through prioritizing impact-driven activities, they may cultivate a collaborative culture that prioritises the greater good over individual recognition. Last but not least, “It’s possible that the current frameworks for collaboration aren’t always the best at reaching goals. To make sure that these frameworks are egalitarian, inclusive, and flexible enough to accommodate the various requirements and viewpoints of all parties involved, it is imperative that they be thoroughly examined and improved. We need to be aware of the transaction costs, which include the time, energy, and materials needed for productive teamwork. Furthermore, when organizations with disparate work cultures and ideals join together, conflicts between cultures may occur. To get above these obstacles, it is essential to accept these differences and seek to foster mutual respect, understanding, and shared ideals.”
“The social environment has changed dramatically in recent years, becoming more impact-driven. Seeing so many humanitarian and environmental organizations spring up with a clear mission is incredibly motivating. These organizations are committed to making a beneficial difference in society, in contrast to typical ones that are only concerned with making money. Among them are non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and impact investment corporations, each of which contributes differently to the advancement of social change,” he said.
According to him what distinguishes these organizations is their steadfast dedication to adopting novel business strategies and utilizing state-of-the-art technologies. Instead of being constrained by traditional methods, they welcome fresh concepts and methods that enable them to tackle environmental and social issues in fresh and long-lasting ways. “One of the most remarkable aspects of these entities is their multifaceted approach to tackling social issues,” he says as he keeps sharing his ideas. “They understand that social issues are interrelated and cannot be solved on their own. Rather, they embrace a comprehensive viewpoint and proactively address a range of concerns, including but not limited to poverty, education, healthcare, and climate change. This all-encompassing strategy illustrates how social space is changing, with organizations realizing the connections between many environmental issues also and striving for complete solutions.”
In general, there has been a major change in the social sphere in recent years, with a focus on impact-driven projects, diversity, and collaboration. The emergence of these mission-driven organisations, and their adoption of technology and innovation show the amazing strides they have achieved in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future. “Working with various organisations—including NGOs, for-profit businesses, and governmental agencies—in the social sphere offers a dynamic environment full of potential and difficulties. In order to maximise my combined influence, it is critical that I manage these complications. Our propensity to address social issues in discrete silos, frequently without a thorough and coordinated strategy, is one of the main challenges we confront. This disjointed reaction makes it more difficult for us to bring about significant change. Furthermore, a common problem among civil society organisations is needless competition! Despite the urgent need for cooperation, organisations compete with one another for funds and attention rather than working together to achieve shared objectives due to the scarcity of resources. To overcome this obstacle, we must change our focus from individual success to collective effect, making teamwork the cornerstone of our efforts,” indicated the social investor.
The tendency to place logos and egos above the real impact being made is another issue that has to be addressed. It is critical to put more emphasis on the results and constructive changes they may bring about for society and less emphasis on the need for individual attribution and acclaim! Through prioritizing impact-driven activities, they may cultivate a collaborative culture that prioritises the greater good over individual recognition. Last but not least, “It’s possible that the current frameworks for collaboration aren’t always the best at reaching goals. To make sure that these frameworks are egalitarian, inclusive, and flexible enough to accommodate the various requirements and viewpoints of all parties involved, it is imperative that they be thoroughly examined and improved. We need to be aware of the transaction costs, which include the time, energy, and materials needed for productive teamwork. Furthermore, when organizations with disparate work cultures and ideals join together, conflicts between cultures may occur. To get above these obstacles, it is essential to accept these differences and seek to foster mutual respect, understanding, and shared ideals.”
