Our Partners in
Transformation
United across sectors, nations, and communities to create lasting impact
50+
Global Partners
15+
UN Agencies
20+
Corporations
25+
Countries
Government of India
Strategic collaborations across ministries driving national impact
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
KISS receives Grant-in-Aid assistance from the Government of India, primarily from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and other central departments, to support its operation. Approximately 8% of its total recurring expenditure is supported through government grants. We are indebted for this support from the government to create social impact.
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
KISS had taken up the handicraft technical training under HRD scheme in collaboration with the Ministry of Textile, Government of India. Began in 1st June 2017, the training was imparted in trades like applique and embroidery and Tribal/Saura art The four month duration training (576 training hours) was imparted to 80 tribal student training in
batches of 20 each. Student trainees of 18 years or above having keen interest for the trade were selected as per GOI guidelines for the scheme. The programme aimed at building entrepreneurial spirit and marketable skills in specialized areas enabling gainful engagement in future career of the student trainees. The trainees received additional financial benefits for attending the programme. The experience has been very encouraging as the trainees were taking keen interest and actively participating in the programme mastering new skills with joy.
Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited(TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India
Indigenous communities’ livelihood is related to forest produce. To strengthen the supply chain and marketing mechanism, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences implemented the “Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP) under the “Tech for Tribals”
initiative in collaboration with TRIFED, Government of India with a focus on building capacity of indigenous forest produce gatherers. This programme was started to bring more financial power and self-sufficiency to the tribes of India by involving them in all stages of NTFP based enterprises. It aims to build the capacity of tribes and help them to become successful entrepreneurs under Van Dhan Mission.
Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India STI Hub for Tribals
The Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Hub for Tribals is an initiative of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The project focuses on creating inclusive and sustainable development pathways for marginalized ST/SC communities in
Odisha, especially in the districts of Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj. By integrating modern science with indigenous knowledge, the STI Hub acts as a catalyst for improving livelihoods, education, healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship among tribal populations.
Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha
KISS collaborated with the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha and UNESCO Regional Office in South Asia to support UNESCO’s Fit for Life programme, reaffirming that sports can have a powerful impact on life skills development. “UNESCO as the United Nations’ lead agency for Physical Education and Sport aims to strengthen the global framework on the use of sport for development and peace”
UNESCO’s new sports-based flagship programme, Fit for Life, is designed to tackle contemporary challenges such as physical inactivity, mental health issues and inequality to foster peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies. With the cognizance that sports provide productive pathways for societies, the partnership seeks to strengthen capacities, produce high quality data and foster research to stimulate social transformations conducive to the universal values of peace, human dignity and inclusion.
Department of School & Mass Education and Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha
KISS works in close collaboration with the School & Mass Education Department and the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha to strengthen access to quality education for marginalized tribal communities. KISS aligns its academic programs, curriculum and pedagogy approach with the government statutory guidelines, ensuring holistic development from primary to higher education.
United Nations & Global Partners
Working with world-leading organizations to create sustainable change
UNFPA
(United Nations Population Fund)
KISS partners with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the following projects:
Holistic development, health and well-being programs focusing on:
10,000 adolescents within KISS institute
200,000+ adolescents across Odisha state
Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) education
Life skills development tailored for special needs
Reproductive health education
Menstrual hygiene management education
Promotion of overall well-being and independence
Joint initiative by REC Foundation, UNFPA, Government of Odisha, and KISS to:
Address challenges faced by indigenous youth communities in Odisha
Position youth at the centre of state development initiatives
Create community change agents
Build young leaders who influence peers for community betterment
UNDP
(United Nations Development Programme)
KISS partners with United Nations Development Programme for the following projects
Socio-economic impact assessment on migrant workers during the pandemic:
1,500 migrant households surveyed
Covered 5 migration-prone districts: Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Bolangir, Kandhamal
Special emphasis on female migrant workers
Evaluated lockdown impact on livelihoods and well-being
Their collaboration includes a Centre for Excellence on Skill and Entrepreneurship that provides vocational training and career counselling to indigenous youth, focusing on market-driven skills and technology-enabled modules to promote their gainful employment. This initiative also supports targeted analytical research on tribal communities, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Promoting skill and Entrepreneurship with technology-enabled blended skilling model for indigenous youth
In today’s scenario, technology plays a vital role in all aspects of life. When it comes to learning, it makes it easier for the students to understand and acquire knowledge in a better way. For the all-around growth of students and to make them more competent in the challenging scenario, skill development training was provided to the students. They take part in different vocational trades such as tailoring, applique, Arts & crafts, coir, chemical production, handicraft etc. Keeping these things in mind and providing handhold support to the students, and entrepreneurial knowledge, KISS has initiated a Centre for Excellence on Skill and Entrepreneurship in partnership with UNDP. The program aims at building vocational skills in specialized areas for marketable skills enabling gainful engagement in the future careers of the student trainees. ICT-based modules are incorporated into the counselling and training process. The trainees are receiving additional benefits and stipend for attending the program. The experience so far has been very encouraging as the trainees are taking a keen interest and actively participating in the program mastering new skills with joy. KISS has made necessary arrangements allowing flexibility and adjustment of training time in reference to regular classes to avoid clashes and inconvenience. KISS is committed to scaling up the program building on the learning and good practices ensuring its success.
UNESCO
(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
KISS partners with UNESCO for the following projects
UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize 2022
Awarded $20,000 endowment, medal, and diploma for the Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) programme Recognized for innovative approach to tailoring education to students’ native languages, improving learning outcomes
The SAPA Impact Framework is a collaborative initiative of UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA), Victoria University and KISS
Developed through a mixed-methods pilot involving over 2,030 students and alumni and extensive interviews with parents, teachers, and community stakeholders—with generous support from KISS and Sport-for-Development partners- the SAPA Impact Framework offers a practical pathway for strengthening programme design, advocacy, and strategic planning.
The framework identifies four domains of impact—Health & Wellbeing, Education & Lifelong Learning, Livelihoods & Economic Growth, and Equality & Social Inclusion—and provides indicators that reflect SAPA’s potential to bolster wellbeing, enhance learning, expand livelihood horizons, and foster inclusive communities.
With Government of Odisha – 2023
Using sport to drive health, education, and equality for indigenous communities:
Leverages power of sports for socio-economic development
Promotes well-being, education, and social integration
Implemented across KISS’s 80,000 indigenous students
Contributes to building peaceful and sustainable societies
Part of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP), this project focuses on groundwater management and emergency preparedness for water security in vulnerable communities.
Compassionate Integrity Training
Joint pilot with UNESCO MGIEP & Life University (2019) – First introduced to Indian higher education institutes
Multi-part training cultivating basic human values as skills for individual, social, and environmental flourishing
International Youth Campaign on Kindness
Celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, promoting SDGs through youth engagement
UNICEF
(UN Children’s Fund)
Children Development Resource Centre (CDRC)
Part of UNICEF-KIIT joint initiative for Centre for Children Studies (CCS), promoting evidence-based policy-making through action research focusing on Odisha’s children
UNSSC
(UN Staff College)
Nelson Mandela Regional Hub
Leadership and capacity-building for SDGs through collaborative research, training programs for South Asian leaders and youth on climate resilience and gender equality
JICA
(Japan International Cooperation Agency)
Disaster Risk Management
‘Strengthening DRM capacity under COVID-19 in Cyclone/Flood Prone Areas’ – Better integration of biological hazards into local planning and decision-making
U.S. Consulate Hyderabad
Multiple educational and cultural exchange initiatives
Active Programs & Initiatives
English Access Micro-scholarship Program
U.S. Department of State initiative providing significant English-language learning for talented indigenous youth aged 13-20, improving cultural appreciation and critical thinking skills
Youth Leadership Program
Conducted by Toastmasters International to help students build communication and leadership skills for tomorrow’s leaders in business, industry and community
Center of American Studies
41st such center in India, 1st in Odisha – offers students opportunities to learn about U.S. history, literature, politics, art and culture
WATCH Hackathon
Weather and Climate Hackathon with Bronx Community College and NSF research grant to tackle climate change through technological innovation
COVID-19 Awareness Campaign
Training indigenous youth volunteers & CSOs in five Odisha districts to create pandemic awareness and build community resilience
Industry Collaboration
Working with leading corporations to create opportunities and build skills
Oracle
Smart Classroom Initiative
Oracle has supported KISS for creating 100 Smart Classrooms with interactive smart projectors and boards. Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences is proud to offer its students smart classrooms that have been enabled with support from Oracle, giving students access to quick and smart-learning technology, with more interactive, globally connected classes…
These allow the indigenous students to see audio-visual clips and benefit from technology-driven interactive teaching methods. Students are also provided with access to books via well-stocked libraries on its campuses. These approaches are vital in ensuring that students can readily access quality education while improving their learning outcomes.
Tata Consultancy Services
Free Employability Training
KISS has been facilitating a Free Employability Training Programme by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) at its campus as well as at a district level for the past five years. Free Employability Training comes under Affirmative Action program of TCS, which aims at providing 100 hours of Free Employability Training to final year undergraduates…
from SC/ST/BPL/Minorities communities. These training are provided to 4th, 5th and 6th Semester graduate students of KISS. The programme features 40 Hours internal training, followed by 100 Hours by TCS. These 40 Hours are coordinated by TCS, Bhubaneswar office while the 100 Hours of training are coordinated by TCS, Kolkata office in consultation with KISS. In 2020, after the successful completion of the last batch of TCS’ Free Employability Training programme, 11 students were selected for jobs at TCS, pending the completion of their degrees.
Bosch
Industry-Academia Collaboration
KISS partnered with Bosch for the Industry-Academia Collaboration for Skill Development initiative. Under this collaboration, an Industry-Academia Collaboration Centre was established on its premises. The aim of the initiative was to meet the challenge of eliminating unemployment by reaching out to youth in need of skill development…
and making them employable. Both organisations have agreed to work on five domains as follows: – – Skill Development of youth – MSME Capacity Building – Trainers’ Capacity Building – Developing Industry-ready Social Service Professional • Capacity Building of the Non-profit Sector (NGOs) The initiative has successfully completed the capacity building of subject matter experts in the above five domains. Under the Skill Development of Youth Domain Skill Entrepreneurship program was initiated for creating opportunities for youths to learn and join the skill ecosystem of the country.
NALCO
Student Sponsorship Program
The sponsorship program that was initiated in 2012 with 214 children is being ramped up. They have been sponsoring all students from their Damanjodi peripheral region. Approximately an amount of 50-70 Lakh is being sponsored every year under this project…
Partner: NALCO Foundation
Tata Steel
Academic Collaboration
KISS and Tata Steel have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the industry and the institutions by developing collaboration in various academic, research, training and staff development activities. The two organizations have facilitated the education…
of the children of the displaced families at KISS and work for the upliftment of the marginalized vulnerable sections of the population. Other initiatives include an upcoming Tata Library at KISS.
Max India Foundation
Industry-Academia Collaboration
KISS partnered with Bosch for the Industry-Academia Collaboration for Skill Development initiative. Under this collaboration, an Industry-Academia Collaboration Centre was established on its premises. The aim of the initiative was to meet the challenge of eliminating unemployment by reaching out to youth in need of skill development…
Rourkela Steel Plant
Free Education
In collaboration with Rourkela Steel Plant, KISS is facilitating the education of tribal children from RSP’s vicinity. This is the initial stage of the collaboration and negotiations are on for a proposed school for the underprivileged which is on the anvil.
Essel Mining
Student Sponsorship
Essel Mining has sponsored the education of several students from their peripheral mining areas.
EdCIL
Books and Resources
EdCIL has funded the provision of books for secondary students and we are currently also discussing possibilities of a few other CSR donations.
TATA Sponge Iron Limited
CSR Research
TATA Sponge Iron Limited has awarded KISS a project on baseline study for sustainable CSR interventions in and around TATA Sponge areas, Keonjhar, Odisha.
Ziqitza Health Care Services
Ambulance training
KISS was the training partner of the NRHM Programme, (108 Ambulance training) working in collaboration with Ziqitza Health Care Services. The institute is involved in Ambulance service training.
Mitsubishi
Japanese Language
Based on the MoU signed with KIIT/KISS, Mitsubishi Group in India will accept students with proficiency in their Japanese language from the newly established department. For KISS, they are considering to provide support as part of CSR activities.
Lenovo
Digital Inclusion Project
Lenovo partnered with KIIT, KISS & Motorola to develop a digital inclusion project for the Kuvi language, an endangered tribal language spoken in the region. This collaboration focused on creating a Kuvi writing system and keyboard, with the goal of preserving the language and providing digital access for its speakers…
This initiative is part of a larger effort by Motorola and Lenovo to support endangered languages through digital inclusion.
Motorola
Digital Inclusion Project
Motorola partnered with KIIT, KISS & Lenovo to develop a digital inclusion project for the Kuvi language, an endangered tribal language spoken in the region. This collaboration focused on creating a Kuvi writing system and keyboard, with the goal of preserving the language and providing digital access for its speakers. This initiative…
is part of a larger effort by Motorola and Lenovo to support endangered languages through digital inclusion.
Capgemini
KISS has collaborated with Capgemini to establish a Digital Academy to impart the indigenous students market-aligned training in tech, fintech courses and prepare them for the competitive job market. With this initiative, Capgemini seeks to close the digital gap and empower underprivileged communities.
HP
The HP Life project is aimed at “Empowering Everyone, Everywhere to Learn the Skills They Need for a 02 Successful Future”. It focuses on enhancing the learning efficiency of students using various innovative knowledge content through HP Life. HP LIFE is a global training program available both online and offline via Learning Equality’s Kolibri platform…
HP LIFE gives people all over the world the opportunity to build skills for the future whether they want to start or grow their own business, enter the workforce or secure a better job by providing access to free, accessible IT and business skills training courses.
IBM
The themes are delivered by organizing master classes in two kinds of sessions like generic and technical sessions. Through which it covers topics such as essentials of job application, Emotional Intelligence, Resume writing, Soft skills training, Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Deep learning, Data Science, Cyber security, Digital security, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship. Graphic design, Web Development, CSR
Global Research Collaboration
Partnering with leading universities for research and innovation
Cambridge University
TIGR2ESS (Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable Food Supplies)
Project Overview
Multi-stakeholder project developing UK-India expert networks for collaborative long-term research in sustainable agriculture, setting India on path to second Green Revolution
Funding: Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), UK.
Focus Areas
Research on indigenous food and nutrition security and livelihood in Koraput and Kandhamal
districts. Flagship projects: FP6a (Education Food, Nutrition and Empowerment) and FP6b
(Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship)
University of East Anglia
Project CHIRAG (Creative Hub for Innovation & Reciprocal Research & Action for Gender Equality)
Project Overview
Building proof of concept to address food & nutrition security with gender equality focus, targeting women and children from rural and indigenous communities
Funding: UK Research Innovations (UKRI) – Global Research Translation Award
Partners: PRADAN, Gram Vaani
Focus Areas
Implementation in Koraput and Kandhamal (Odisha) and Jamui (Bihar). Sustainable Food Systems research addressing vast majority affected by food insecurity
Erasmus+
Project (AURORA): The Alliance of Universities to Reinforce teacher training curricula to Outcast Radicalism and promote equality in Asian societies
Project Overview
Curricula Reform in India and Nepal promoting inclusive education through teacher training at BA and MA levels
Focus Areas
Developing new courses, faculty workshops, student leadership training, democratic values education, and combating radicalism from early school stages. Training teachers from India and Nepal
Hanseo University
GKL project & Equipment Support
Project Overview
Electrical training project under GKL flagship with comprehensive equipment donations
Funding: South Korean Government & Hanseo University
Focus Areas
Hospital equipment, desktops, printers, refrigerators, and other essential resources donated to support KISS operations
Diverse Collaborations
Building bridges across sectors and nations
HP
MTB-MLE
Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education addressing indigenous children’s needs. Program institutionalized at KISS
BRIDGE Institute
Kalinga Fellowship
10-year programme with Ashoka, FXB India, Prajwala, UN Women – addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence
British Council
Multiple Initiatives
Commonwealth Big Lunch 2018 (30,000+ participants), Changing Moves Changing Minds, Young Women Social Entrepreneurship programme
Canadian Embassy
Center for Canadian Studies
Inaugurated by Canadian High Commissioner. First Center for Canadian Studies at KISS
SAKHA
Nua Maa Project
Community media prototype on IYCN and WASH with transgender network addressing health and nutrition challenges
Child & Youth Finance Int’l
Financial Skills
Strengthening financial skills of students at KISS and targeting youth in 20 Odisha districts
Pure Water Project Foundation
Clean Water Access
NY-based foundation providing clean water to Odisha villages. Currently based in Chandragiri Tibetan settlement
Intel Technology
Computer Literacy
Computer literacy and training for teachers and students with Intel expertise and master trainers
Bridges of Sports Foundation
Coach Training
Training athletes to become coaches. Four ISS students enrolled with monthly stipend, now actively coaching at KISS
Crossover Basketball
Basketball + Academics
Educational non-profit pairing basketball with academics. Planning school in Tamil Nadu with KISS methodology
AIESEC
International Volunteers
International students volunteering and interning at KISS. 20+ international students received to date
National Fishery Dev. Board
Fishery Training
NFDB-sponsored training on Carp Culture and Broodstock Management (2017-18). 13 batches completed
Partner with KISS
Together, we can create lasting impact and transform lives through education, skill development, and community empowerment
