The Impact Post | A New Generation of Systems Change Innovations
Issue # 58 | Tuesday, 11 November 2025
A New Generation of Systems Change Innovations
With the infusion of technology and AI into every facet and sector of our world, the need for better and more impact in the social sector has only grown. Funders, catalysts, accelerators all try and ask a harder, more fundamental question: Did our solution create any change in the system at all?
Systems Change and the systems lens have been around since the 1930s, but they present an interesting challenge for our rapidly growing start-up and innovation landscape in India today. Social Development actors have always known that true sustainability lies in shifting the underlying conditions, mindsets, and power dynamics that hold wicked problems firmly in place. But do our solutions, especially our digital solutions today, pass the systems lens test?
In this special edition, the following articles dive deeper, exploring the foundations of systems change and setting the stage for the critical discussions on digital solutions.
Let’s continue the conversation.
Happy Reading!
Gamification: Making Learning Less Fearful and More Fun
Gamification for education, mental health, and many other cognitive support functions redesigns the approach for kids and in the process shifts mental models that education or counselling needs to be a top-down, one-to-many process. This article explores the different facets of gamification, especially in education, and brings to light how one innovation can change a country’s didactic approach to learning.
Deep Tech as the New Frontier for Systems Change in India
Deep Tech, a science-forward approach to technology and AI has the power to generate multiple market disruptors. The NuSocia Translational Research Center holds up a systems lens magnifying glass on Social Alpha’s, a well-known deep tech accelerator, products to see whether this new generation of solutions makes the cut to be move the social development ecosystem.
Catch NuSocia at Charcha!
We are also thrilled to announce that NuSocia will be at Charcha this year! We are co-hosting a critical panel on Tech and AI for Social Enterprises: Opportunities & Pitfalls, bringing this very systems-thinking approach to the forefront of the tech conversation. We’re moving the dialogue past the hype to explore the strategic imperatives with esteemed panellists.
We’ll ask the tough questions: How do we build an ecosystem where AI is a responsible tool for ethical systemic change, and not just creating more noise for its own sake?
Register and stop by tomorrow to be part of the conversation.
NuSocia Pulse | Stories From the Ground
Lighting Up Wishes with Technology: How NuSocia Reimagined the Joy of Giving
Diwali, in today’s times, often feels like a celebration confined to our own homes filled with family gatherings, sweets, and lights. Yet, every year, it reminds us of something deeper: the opportunity to spread light, joy, and hope beyond ourselves.
This year at NuSocia, we had the privilege of turning that spirit into something truly special by combining compassion with innovation. And this experience was made possible through one of our esteemed clients, for whom we manage CSR monitoring and evaluation.
It began with a simple conversation. The client wanted to explore meaningful ways for employees to engage through CSR activities. While several initiatives were already underway, the question arose “Can employees participate more personally, perhaps even virtually?”
That question sparked a beautiful idea: What if we could celebrate Diwali with children from an orphanage not just with words, but with gifts that bring their dreams to life?
After exploring options, NuSocia identified a Pune-based NGO that provides residential care and holistic rehabilitation for 27 orphaned and HIV/AIDS-affected children and young adults (ages 5–21), offering medical care, education, and vocational training in tailoring to promote self-reliance.
When we connected with the organization, they shared a heartfelt wishlist, two wishes from each child. But soon came a challenge: the wishlist was in an Excel sheet. Sharing it across all employees risked confusion like what if multiple people booked the same gift, or some wishes were missed entirely?
That’s when we decided to let technology lend a hand or perhaps, a little heart.
Instead of relying on manual tracking, our tech team created a simple, user-friendly digital platform where each child’s wish appeared individually. Employees could browse, book, and confirm their chosen gift instantly ensuring complete transparency, no duplication, and real-time tracking.
To make participation even smoother, our creative team designed a concise, visually engaging two-page guide to walk employees through the process. The platform didn’t just simplify logistics but it built an emotional bridge. Each employee could see the name and wish of the child they were gifting to, transforming a digital interaction into a personal moment of joy.
Within just three days, every single wish all 54 of them were booked. From JCB toys to Barbie doll sets, from dresses to small pieces of jewelry, each gift carried with it a story of care and connection.
At NuSocia, this initiative reaffirmed what we deeply believe that technology, when infused with empathy, can make kindness more meaningful. Whether it’s building robust data systems for CSR or creating simple yet thoughtful tools like this one.