Every year, our annual call serves a clear purpose: to share findings from the annual survey, review progress against last year’s organizational priorities, and set the agenda for the year ahead. This year’s call. It carried a sense of occasion that went well beyond the usual rhythm of review and sharing. Following three milestones made this year’s annual call a memorable moment for DRF:

Milestone 1: A Legacy of Excellence – 30 Years of DRF Impact

The first important milestone is that we are having this call as we are passing through the 30^th year of DRF. In its 30th year, DRF is also at its best – in terms of resources, programs, scale, and impact. This success is a collective achievement, which was not possible without the excellent efforts made by people in the past and present, especially the teams on the ground (Centre Associates, Community Mobilisers, Trainers, Area Heads, Assistant Managers, Deputy Managers, Senior Managers across all programs), the HO team, the Program Heads, the Support Department Heads, the trust shown and encouragement given by our Trustees, and most importantly, the past 10 years of inspiring leadership support and strategic guidance provided by our CEO – Shamik Trehan, in everything we have done.

Milestone 2: Launching DRF Goal and Strategy 2030

The second important milestone is the launch of DRF Goal and Strategy 2030. Our Dec 2025 goal has reached its conclusion. With it ends a chapter and begins a new one. Six months ago, in October 2025, we constituted an eight-member Strategy Review and Development Committee (SRDC) to undertake what may be the most consequential exercise of this decade for DRF: reviewing what we have learnt, listening to what has changed, and sharpening the goal that will guide us until December 2030. What followed was not a top-down exercise. It was a deeply consultative process, one that drew in more than 100 employees from across functions, programs, and geographies. The result is the DRF Goal and Strategy Document 2030 – anchored by 6 strategy pillars and 31 focus areas.

Milestone 3: Launching Six Program Strategies

The third milestone which made this annual call stands apart that alongside the organization Goal and Strategy, we have also launched our 6 program strategy papers  – for Education, Youth Skilling, PwD Skilling, Regenerative Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment, and Health.

Like the organizational goal, the previous program strategies were valid until 2025. Each new strategy paper has been re-developed through a structured process: drawing on program learnings, fresh research, and conversations with thought leaders and practitioners  to guide our work through 2030, with a midterm review built in for 2028.

All six papers are now live on the DRF website. I encourage every colleague to read the strategy paper most relevant to your area of work. Read the others if your interest takes you there. These are well-researched documents that lay out the ecosystem challenges and opportunities, and our chosen focus areas with clarity. They are not just internal artefacts; they reflect how we plan to engage with partners, communities, and policymakers over the next five years.

Just Remember the Number 6

Last but not least, in the ‘busyness’ of our daily activities at workplace and at home, and with the smart algorithms of social media platforms influencing our engagement, reading often takes a back seat. However, if you can remember just one number –the number 6- it will give you a clear cue that we have one organizational goal with 6 strategy pillars, and we have 6 program strategy papers. I am sure many of you will be curious to read them as well.

By

Pranav Kumar Choudhary | COO