Collaboration with NGOs for SDGs
Does your university as a body collaborate with NGOs to tackle the SDGs through:
Yes, KISS Deemed to be university as a body collaborates with NGOs to tackle the SDGs.
- Collaboration with SAKHA – Community-Based Organization of Transgender Network: KISS, in partnership with SAKHA (a CBO of transgender persons) and with funding from the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI), implemented the Nua Maa (New Mother) Project in Rayagada district, Odisha. This project focuses on Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and uses community media and participatory storytelling. The project exemplifies inclusive collaboration by engaging transgender individuals as community facilitators. Link: https://kiss.ac.in/nua-maa/
- Kalinga Fellowship – Global Leadership Platform for Gender Equality: The Kalinga Fellowship, launched by KISS in collaboration with The Bridge Institute (UK), Ashoka Foundation, FXB India, Prajwala, UN Women, U.S. Consulate Hyderabad, IJM and IBM, addresses systemic social barriers under SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The Fellowship brings together leaders from business, government, and civil society to design actionable strategies against gender-based violence and human trafficking. Over 500 fellows have graduated, creating global impact and cross-sectoral learning. Links:
- Partnership with Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD): KISS-DU signed an MoU with CYSD to promote collaborative research, academic exchanges and community development. The partnership focuses on youth leadership, gender inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and participatory governance, strengthening the bridge between academia and grassroots social action. Link: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-inks-mou-with-cysd/
- Collaboration with CII–Young Indians (Yi): KISS-DU signed an MoU with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Young Indians (Yi) network to integrate its students into the national youth leadership ecosystem. Through Yi, KISS students gain access to over 66 city chapters and a network of 200,000+ youth members, learning to conceptualize and lead SDG-focused projects on entrepreneurship, environment and social innovation. The partnership enhances youth voice and leadership on SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 17. Link: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-inks-mou-cii-yi/
- Partnerships with Global and UN-Affiliated Organizations: KISS engages with global bodies including UN agencies and foundations such as the United Nations Foundation through research, advocacy, and project collaborations. These partnerships support gender justice, youth empowerment and community-led development, reflecting KISS’s consultative role in SDG policy development. Reference: https://talloiresnetwork.tufts.edu/kalinga-institute-of-social-sciences-india/
- ENACTUS’ initiative on enabling transgenders and physically challenged women: ENACTUS KISS-KIIT’ is an innovative initiative by the students of the University to improve the quality of life in society. Under this initiative, since 2016, Project SIDDHI was undertaken, which provided opportunity to the oppressed communities specially the transgenders in and around Bhubaneswar to change their lives for the better. They also spread the awareness to eliminate the use of plastic bags by replacing it with handmade paper bags. https://ksac.kiit.ac.in/societies/enactus/
- Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has been accorded special consultative status by the United Nations. The special consultative status confers a host of privileges and facilities on an NGO, which are similar to those conferred to a member country by the UN. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC) has granted the prestigious recognition to KISS after concurrence by representatives of all the member countries.It is the first NGO from Odisha to get special consultative status from the UN. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_organizations_with_consultative_status_to_the_United_Nations_Economic_and_Social_Council
KISS’s deep collaborations with NGOs, UN agencies, foundations and youth networks showcase its commitment to translating SDG ideals into ground realities. By co-designing interventions, nurturing youth leaders, and integrating community participation, KISS has emerged as a leading institution for multi-stakeholder collaboration on the SDGs.