Climate Coalition

T4GC has traditionally been sector-agnostic, focusing on leveraging open-source technology and digital accessibility to support various social impact initiatives. However, the decision to launch a dedicated climate program stemmed from the inherently intersectional nature of climate action. Climate change is not an isolated issue—it affects livelihoods, health, governance, infrastructure, and social justice.

The Climate Coalition was born from a simple, yet crucial observation: many climate action organisations are developing technology products and platforms in isolation. Determined to shake things up, we curated a programme to pop those isolated bubbles and get everyone playing in the same sandbox. By doing this we are reducing repetitive efforts and driving collaboration and real-world impact. Imagine a world where climate experts from diverse backgrounds converge, not just to propose ideas but to actively co-create solutions.

This is the ethos driving the Climate Coalition. Supported by Rainmatter Foundation, and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, this program represents a fresh approach to tackling climate changes. In 2024, we took a multidisciplinary approach and worked on interventions spanning agriculture, livelihoods, urban transport, water security, conservation and upcycling management. In 2025, the program will focus on biodiversity conservation under the thematic banner of the Conservation Coalition while remaining part of the larger Climate Coalition umbrella.

Conservation Coalition

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In India, many conservation organizations face supply, demand, and systemic challenges, leaving them “under-tech’d.” On the supply side, existing tools often lack interoperability, focus on single-dimension tracking, and feature complex interfaces, creating barriers to standardization. On the demand side, conservationists are disconnected from tech vendors, resulting in outdated workflows, time-consuming integrations, and manual data management. This leads to systemic challenges, such as fragmented datasets, duplicative studies, and underutilized insights. The Conservation Coalition aims to work towards this by forming an open network of organisations, researchers, and communities collaborating to bridge gaps in conservation efforts that address complex environmental challenges at scale.

At its core is a “measurement engine” that harmonizes conservation efforts, supporting every stage of intervention. Through this, the Coalition aims to foster a more unified approach to data-driven evidence, strengthening conservation policy and systemic change.

As we begin, our program focuses on close collaboration with organisations and researchers in South India, specifically in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, within the Western Ghats & Nilgiris region. As we work towards fostering a systemic shift and engaging ecosystem stakeholders, our collaboration will expand to include diverse partners across India.

Core Themes

Climate Action: To unlock the potential of brilliant minds, we must move beyond corporate reliance, encouraging innovative individuals to step up and drive meaningful change.

Technology: Tackling climate change in India, indeed anywhere in the world, demands a united effort, where technology acts as a catalyst alongside scientific methods, regional climatic patterns, and locally tailored, historically proven approaches. Technology is the engine behind well-informed climate action initiatives steering the collection, research, and analysis processes.

Open Source Advocacy: By hosting all product source codes on GitHub, we're not just sharing software—we're fostering a culture of openness and knowledge exchange.

Collaborative Action: Serve as a catalyst for climate action organisations, inspiring them to adopt existing systems and promoting collaboration to avoid redundancy.

Replicability: Through open-source technology and a commitment to transparency, the Coalition paves the way for scalable, replicable solutions applicable across various climate subsectors.

2024 Cohort

Sumit Arora, Director, Technology & Partnerships Centre for Wildlife Studies

Ritika Chetri, Executive, IT, MIS, MEL, SeSTA

Prashanth Bachu, Urban Transport Specialist

Joy Daniel, Founder Director, Lipok Social Foundation

Priyaranjani M P, Chief Executive Officer, Organic Mandya Farmers Foundation

Craig Dsouza, Data and Tech Lead, WELL Labs

Sajan Veerr Abrol, Founder and Chairman Trustee, Clothes Box Foundation

Dr. Aaditeshwar Seth, CommonsTech

Is this the only one cohort for 2024?

Yes, this is an annual program. We will be partnering with the 10 chosen climate orgs from the commencement of the program in 2024.
Who will own the product?

The software will be built on open source technology and exposed as an open source product after completion. Tech4Good Community or the organisation will not own any rights of the product.
What does product idea evaluation entail?

Product idea evaluation involves assessing the uniqueness, feasibility, and sustainability. It examines whether the idea is novel, can be realistically implemented with available resources, and has long-term sustainability and wider impact.
Will T4GC provide grants during or after the Climate Coalition for any implementation/outreach related to the product?

No, T4GC will not be providing grant support.
Can I apply for more than one product idea?

Sure, go ahead. Sky's the limit.
If the organisation is not currently involved in climate-related initiatives, is it still possible for us to apply if the product idea is around climate action?

Yes, you can apply.
Is the program open to individuals who are not affiliated with any organisation?

After receiving interest and ideas from climate activists in India, applications are now open to everyone, regardless of social organisation affiliation.
We are a climate tech company. Are you willing to collaborate with us on a new product?

We love collaborating. However, this would entirely depend on the impact the product will contribute to the climate space. Please submit your application, we would love to review and get back to you.
Post completion of the program, who will take care of maintenance charges if incurred? Will T4GC support in any form by providing training, tech support etc?

A user manual will be provided by T4GC. Tech support will be given at a negligible cost involved on an annual /monthly basis depending on their requirements. Adhering to the principles of FOSS of fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, we aim to equip organisations to thrive independently after program's completion. We facilitate this transition by providing full access to the source code, documentation, and project assets. The product will also be hosted on Github to foster a community of collaboration in Tech for NPOs.
What is the procedure if the originally planned product development, cannot be accomplished in its entirety?

We will work with the organisation on the possibility of a potential engagement extension if they qualify for the coalition.
What role will the organisation play if there is a plan to develop an advanced version of the product in the future?

The only guidelines to be followed by any individual/organisation improving the product is that, the latest source code is always updated on Github with detailed technical documentation
Can T4GC's team work along with the tech resources of our organisation/team in building the product?

Of course. Our engineering team will collaborate with your tech resources in product development. We will also contribute to product architecture and design if needed.
Can the product concept involve the use of hardware?

Utilising hardware is subject to resource constraints and availability, which our Engineering Team will assess diligently. We encourage you to apply, and we will evaluate the feasibility of your solution during the participant shortlisting process for the program.
How can you reach out to us if you have more questions?

You can email us at hello@tech4goodcommunity.com or reach us via LinkedIn. We will also be hosting Q&A sessions on the application process. Details will be posted on LinkedIn/Twitter/Instagram a few days before the session.