NASSCOM Foundation announces the Social Innovation Honours 2010

New Delhi – 23rd September, 2009: NASSCOM Foundation issues a call for applications for the NASSCOM Foundation Social Innovation Honours 2010 (NSIH 2010). NASSCOM Foundation will honour innovations based on the use and implementation of technology to bring about social change. The Honours aim to recognize excellence and to encourage innovation in social development initiatives.

The NSIH 2010 invites applications across the following five categories:
1. ICT innovation for community initiatives by Non-Profit organizations
2. ICT led innovation by For-Profit organizations
a. Socially relevant products and services (adding to the top line / bottomline)
b. CSR initiatives by organizations
3. ICT led innovation by Government
4. Innovations by Multi-Stakeholder partnerships
5. Programs or projects on the Environment
Speaking on the NSIH 2010, Ms. Rufina Fernandes, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation, said, “The NSIH is among India’s pioneering Honours focused on innovations in social development. The Honours serve as an encouragement to NGOs, not-for-profits and government departments who can bring about the much needed social change. Corporates who recognize the need for developmental efforts in India and create products and services to address those issues are also encouraged to participate”.

“These Honours have recognized and celebrated innovations by organizations that have done exemplary work in the field of social development. Our aim is to inspire a new generation of socially conscious leaders who take up relevant social challenges be it in education or health, livelihood or environment and address them effectively and efficiently through innovative ideas” said Mr. Jaithirth (Jerry) Rao, Chairman – NASSCOM Foundation.

Last year, the NSIH received close to hundred nominations. This year, the NSIH categories have been expanded to include multi-stakeholder partnerships and initiatives impacting the environment. By broadening the scope, NASSCOM Foundation intends to encourage efforts where social change can be accelerated and scaled up nationally.

The NSIH has been supported by Genpact as the Presenting sponsor, Mphasis as the Platinum sponsor and CNBC TV-18, as media partners to reach out to a larger and wider audience not only to attract more applicants but also to highlight the urgency and need of creating sustainable businesses, programs and projects for social change in India.

The last date for sending in the completed application for the Honours is 27th October, 2009; the application form is available on NF’s website (nasscomfoundation.org). The NSIH 2010 will be adjudged by a grand jury comprising of eminent personalities such as N.R.Narayana Murthy, Rama Bijapurkar, Jerry Rao and Ganesh Ayyar to name a few. The winners of the Honours will be announced at NASSCOM’s India Leadership Summit in February 2010.

About NASSCOM Foundation

NASSCOM Foundation is a leading Indian development organization specializing in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for development. NF is the social development and CSR arm of NASSCOM, India’s leading IT industry body. NF builds capacities of under served communities, works with non-profits to help build their ICT competencies, and partners with IT companies to help them build and grow their corporate social responsibility programmes.

NF today has the unique opportunity of leading the IT & BPO Industry towards changing the social development landscape of India. www.nasscomfoundation.org

For further information please contact:

Richa Gaur 9990940503

Blue Lotus Communications

Pranay Swarup,

NASSCOM Foundation

+91 9850662214