India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) and the EkStep Foundation have partnered to scale and strengthen the Koita Centre for Digital Transformation (KCDT) at ILSS. This Centre, established by ILSS, in partnership with the Koita Foundation, is designed to equip non-profits with the digital capabilities needed to scale impact and drive innovation.
The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in the development ecosystem by offering structured leadership training, practical toolkits, and a vibrant ecosystem that enables mission-driven organisations to adopt technology and data more effectively.
A key component of the partnership is the Digital Transformation for Social Impact (DTSI) program—a curated learning journey for non-profit leaders to strengthen digital strategy and implementation. Complementing this is the upcoming Digital Toolbook for Social Impact (DiTSI)—an open-access guide featuring frameworks, case studies, and actionable resources for integrating digital tools across operations, program delivery, fundraising, and impact measurement. “Digital transformation in the social sector isn’t about just digitising existing processes—it’s about reimagining how we learn, interact, work, and deliver value to communities,” said Shankar Maruwada, CEO and Co-founder of EkStep Foundation. “This collaboration is a commitment to building that capacity in a way that is open, accessible, and community-led.”
KCDT, housed within ILSS, has been operating since early 2025 under the leadership of Anirban Chaudhury. As a centre of excellence, it has already begun serving as a hub for experimentation, co-creation, and capacity-building for non-profits across the country.
Anu Prasad, Founder and CEO of ILSS commenting on the partnership said, “This partnership with EkStep Foundation and Koita Foundation through KCDT is our collective response to a deeply felt need across the ecosystem—non-profits need support, not just with tools, but with the mindset and skillsets to lead digital transformation meaningfully.”
“Digital transformation is no longer optional for social organisations—it is essential. At Koita Foundation, we are committed to enabling long-term capacity in the sector by supporting initiatives like KCDT that provide structured guidance, peer learning, and real-world application. It’s about building digital confidence, not just digital systems,” added Rekha Koita, Co-founder and Director of Koita Foundation.
