India faces difficult challenges -- from inadequate sanitation to poor quality of education -- but accomplished philanthropists and social entrepreneurs are determined to solve these problems through innovation and strategic funding.

Last week, major players from the Indian social sector convened at the 2018 Dasra Philanthropy Forum in Menlo Park, Calif. to share ideas and insights. Throughout the event, one theme persisted: Unwavering optimism for the future of India.

On collaboration:

“In India, you need to participate together. It’s one huge way to make scale happen.”
-Rati Forbes, Director of the Forbes Marshall Group

“Hold organizations accountable to collaborate.”
-Neera Nundy, Co-founder of Dasra

On working with the government:

“All work in the sector doesn’t have to be anti-government. New philanthropy understands this.”
-Pradeep B. Nair, Regional Director for Ford Foundation India

“Government is looking for good ideas to catalyze their own programs.”
-Rikin Gandhi, Founder and Executive Director of Digital Green

On sanitation in India:

“Investment is needed in training people, equipment, and engaging with households on safe sanitation.”
-Madhu Krishna, leads the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation India’s initiative on water, sanitation and hygiene

“You need to have risk-related investments to achieve scale.”
-Srinivas Chary Vedala, Professor at Administrative Staff College of India and urban environmental planner and public health engineer

On young people in India:

“Look at youth leadership as an opportunity to drive change.”
-Aakash Sethi, Executive Director of Quest Alliance

On solving problems in India:

“The need is much bigger in India to get the basics right.”
-Raju Reddy, Founder and Former CEO of Sierra Atlantic

On innovation:

“The ones taking the leap of faith to innovate are women councilors.”
-Madhu Krishna, leads the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation India’s initiative on water, sanitation and hygiene

On philanthropy:

“You have to go [to India] and find partners on the ground you can trust.”
-Payal Patel, a member of her family’s foundation, Tarsadia Foundation

“There’s an opportunity for philanthropy to take a long-term horizon, to be the R&D for the world. Take solutions to governments and businesses to scale up.”
-Julita Eleveld, Senior Program Officer on the Philanthropic Partnerships Team, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

On India today:

“The number of social incubators shows India is where people want to help ... There is a lot of optimism in India.”
-Pradeep B. Nair, Regional Director for Ford Foundation India