ROLE PLAYERS 2017 - Rajendra Joshi


Rajendra Joshi

Managing Director
Saath Livelihoods

Rajendra Joshi, a social entrepreneur, has been working with BOP segments through Saath, the NGO he founded in 1989, and now with a social enterprise incubator, affordable housing and livelihoods in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. His experience in development and social entrepreneurship has made significant impact in the base of the pyramid communities by partnering with government, civil society, academic and corporate institutions. By using market-based strategies to create inclusive societies in both poor urban and rural communities, he has facilitated substantial interventions in public health and education, livelihoods, infrastructure and basic services, financial inclusion, conflict resolution and disaster management.

He has several papers and publications in the development area, including "Integrated Slum Development in the slums of Pravinagar-Guptanagar, Ahmedabad", 2002, and "The Role of the NGO sector in Slum Rehabilitation, 2008" in "Rehabilitation of Slums in Urban Areas – Challenges and Experiences the role of the NGO sector in Slum Rehabilitation". He is an Ashoka Fellow has been awarded the title Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 by the Schwab Foundation, UNDP and CII. Rajendra strongly believes that the quality of life of the urban poor will improve when they are approached as a significant market.