Rooted in the conviction that collective expertise drives societal progress, MITRA Technology Foundation serves as a conduit between skilled professionals and India’s development sector.
Our mission is to unite volunteers and organisations,
facilitating the exchange of time, expertise, and dedication
to advance social development across India.
India’s social and rural requirements are extensive. At MITRA, we contend that the solution resides within its people. We possess a wealth of domestic talent which, when aligned with the appropriate organisations, produces significant results.
Our flagship programme, ‘iVolunteer’, addresses twelve distinct social development sectors. This mission is achieved through diverse initiatives and an extensive network comprising individuals, non-governmental organisations, and corporate partners.
Our primary strategy involves the large-scale mobilisation of skilled individuals to support grassroots organisations. Engaging over 17,000 participants annually, we maintain a robust network of 300+ vetted non-profits across India, supported by dedicated centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Pune.
We offer intensive social leadership programmes for young professionals, involving one to two years of full-time engagement with partner organisations on specific rural projects. Participants refine their leadership potential through rigorous training, peer learning, and professional mentorship.
MITRA supports leaders in executing direct action projects using a ‘sandbox’ or pilot model. These initiatives focus on engineering bespoke solutions for region-specific challenges, such as Project Koshika in Bundelkhand and Arogya in Uttarakhand.
The iVolunteer Awards represent the premier national recognition for exceptional volunteerism in India. They highlight individuals who contribute their time and technical skills to social causes, with winners selected by an expert panel and an international grand jury.
Shalabh Sahai has spent over two decades building platforms that encourage people to engage more actively with society through direct participation and action. As the Co-founder and Director of iVolunteer, he has played a key role in shaping professional and skill-based volunteering in India since 2001, creating models that connect individuals, organisations, and communities in ways that are practical and relevant to the Indian context.
Over the years, he has helped build and lead initiatives such as ICICI Fellows, India Fellow, the JSW Foundation Fellowship, and SWAR Fellows, creating pathways for young people to work closely with communities and grassroots organisations across the country. He also started the iVolunteer Awards to recognise volunteer-led efforts in India and encourage wider participation in civic engagement.
An alumnus of Institute of Rural Management Anand, Shalabh has also been Commonwealth Professional Fellow from India to UK in 2003. He is associated with international volunteering networks and platforms, including the Global Pro Bono Network and the Points of Light Foundation, USA. Alongside his work in the social sector, he has engaged with institutions such as SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and NMIMS as a visiting faculty member and mentor. He continues to contribute as a speaker, educator, and advocate for volunteering and youth leadership in India.
Rahul Nainwal, an alumnus of National Institute of Technology Rourkela and Institute of Rural Management Anand, is the Co-founder of iVolunteer and has played an active role in shaping volunteering, social entrepreneurship, and leadership development initiatives in India. Through his leadership, he has helped build platforms and programmes that encourage people to engage more actively with communities and social change through collaboration and direct participation.
Over the years, Rahul has co-created initiatives such as India Fellow and UnLtd Delhi, while also working closely with young social entrepreneurs and emerging leaders across the country. His work reflects a strong interest in institution building, design thinking, and creating environments where people can learn through action and real-world experiences.
Alongside his work in the social sector, Rahul currently serves as Senior Director at the UPES School of Business.
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