How we work

Our aim is to provide young people with the foundation for an independent life. Usthi’s projects support children and young adults affected by poverty and social exclusion. In particular, we place a strong focus on supporting girls and young women, who continue to face societal discrimination.

With a holistic approach, Usthi is active in three focus areas. We promote quality education, enable access to healthcare, and provide children and women with protection and support on their path towards an independent future.

Our approach is based on close collaboration with our partner organisations and the involvement of local engagement. Together, we help create fair and sustainable conditions for future generations.

holistic

approach

holistic

approach

Usthi’s holistic approach is characterised by a method that takes into account the interrelationships between its three focus areas: education, health, and protection & empowerment. After all, children’s health and well-being have a direct impact on their development and ability to learn. At the same time, a child’s future prospects are limited if they are healthy and can grow up in a safe environment, but do not receive access to appropriate educational opportunities.

The focus is on creating and leveraging synergies. Rather than viewing the three areas in isolation, the projects aim to bring about a holistic improvement in living conditions.

gender

equality

gender

equality

Usthi aims to counter gender inequalities and contribute to a world in which all children can grow up with dignity and in a supportive environment.

To this end, we adopt an intersectional approach that understands discrimination based on gender in intersection with other forms of discrimination, such as those based on ethnicity, age or class. Usthi’s projects are guided by the vision that all people have the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities, enabling them to realise their full potential.

sustainable

impact

sustainable

impact

Usthi aims to bring about sustainable change in the project regions. To achieve this, we promote local engagement and strengthen local organisations that work independently towards a fair future.

In its project design, Usthi aligns itself with established standards and with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. To translate global concepts into the local context, families, civil society organisations, public authorities and the private sector on the ground are involved in both the planning and implementation of projects. Through the participation of local communities, we can work together towards a sustainable solution that is tailored to the needs and conditions of each project region.

Long-standing Partnerships

Usthi works closely with three partner organisations in India and one partner organisation in Nepal, and employs exclusively local staff on the ground. Our partner organisations are well established in their respective project regions and are recognised as non-profit organisations. Usthi was involved in the founding of two of their partners and can look back on many years of long-standing partnerships today.

In our collaboration, we place importance on the mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise and aim to move forward together. Usthi actively supports its partner organisations and fosters a working culture in which decision-making processes and responsibilities are shared in both project planning and implementation.

Strengthen Independence

In Bhubaneswar, our local partner operates a modern hospital. The profits are channelled into the Ananda School and the Penthakata School.

Our partner in Hyderabad operates a textile processing centre. The social enterprise covers part of the costs of the skills training centre.

Usthi supports its partner organisations so that they can operate independently in the long term. To this end, we assist them in their development, in expanding their skills, and in building their own economic resources.

Usthi has supported two of its partners in setting up small social enterprises. This helps strengthen the financial independence of the partners, and part of the project costs are financed locally. At the same time, the social enterprises create fair jobs in the region.

Doing the right thing right

Usthi works in an impact-oriented way to initiate positive change and achieve lasting impact. Education and health form the cornerstones of both personal and broader societal development. Usthi’s approach supports disadvantaged children and young adults so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in shaping society.

The impact of the projects is continuously reviewed. This raises the question: are we doing the right things, and are we doing them right? Through monitoring and evaluation processes, Usthi collects data on the impact of its project activities and assesses them together with its local partners. Thanks to ongoing exchange with project partners, opportunities and challenges can be identified at an early stage and addressed promptly.

We take responsibility for creating fair and sustainable conditions for future generations.

Excerpt from the mission statement of the Usthi Foundation