About Us
Forbes India We Serve India presented by Lions Clubs International is a nationwide initiative by Network18 in collaboration with Lions Clubs International, that celebrates and amplifies the work of grassroots changemakers across India. It is a platform dedicated to recognizing individuals who are driving meaningful, measurable impact in their communities through compassion, innovation, and purpose-led leadership.
After a powerful debut season that uncovered over 150 changemakers and showcased their stories across digital and broadcast platforms, Season 2 returns bigger, bolder and globally aligned as it brings together changemakers, policy influencers, CSR leaders, UN representatives and the Lions Clubs community. This year, the campaign expands its vision in line with the United Nations’ global themes for 2025.
More than an awards platform, Forbes India We Serve India presented by Lions Clubs International is
Who can participate?
Participants applying for the awards must be Indian citizens and at least 18 years of age as of March 31, 2025.
Individuals applying for the awards can be anyone of the following:
Social entrepreneurs running a NGO, NPO, Foundation or equivalent entities in India. (Individuals who aim to create a positive social impact through their initiative with an aim to generate enough revenue to sustain operations and expand their reach).
Professionals working in an NGO, NPO, Foundation or equivalent entities in India.
An individual independently working without any affiliation to a foundation or corporate backing.
Award Categories
Innovation in Education Learning & Skill Development
This category recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to providing education and skill development opportunities for marginalized communities, including underprivileged children, girls, and economically disadvantaged individuals. These efforts focus on ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality education, promoting lifelong learning, enhancing digital and vocational skills, and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools needed for sustainable livelihoods and social mobility.
Innovation in Environmental Sustainability
This category recognizes individuals who have taken impactful initiatives to protect, preserve, and restore the environment while promoting sustainable practices. It highlights grassroots responses to climate change, water conservation, clean energy, and biodiversity protection, including glacier, forest and agriculture preservation, waste recycling. The focus is on efforts that integrate innovation, advocacy, or community engagement to address environmental social issues such as waste management, resource conservation, ecological restoration, climate resilience and a sustainable future for all.
Inclusive Healthcare & Accessibility
This category recognizes individuals advancing inclusive, equitable healthcare solutions, especially for underserved, differently abled and marginalized communities. These changemakers improve access to primary care, promote hygiene, and reduce health disparities through sustainable, community-driven initiatives. The innovation can span across technology, infrastructure, service delivery, policy advocacy, or community-based interventions that remove barriers and promote healthcare equity.
Tech-led Social Innovation
This category recognizes individuals who harness creativity, technology, and forward-thinking solutions to address pressing social, environmental, or economic challenges. These changemakers develop scalable, tech-driven solutions such as low-cost health devices, AI-powered learning platforms for rural education, sanitation solutions for urban slums, etc. that deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes and uplift underserved communities. Their work exemplifies purpose-led design and problem-solving, especially in contexts where traditional approaches have proven inadequate, accelerating progress toward equity, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development
Women-led Social Innovation
This category recognizes innovative initiatives led by a woman that address critical social challenges and create positive, inclusive impact on communities. The innovation can span across areas such as education, health, livelihood, environment, gender equality, social justice, social entrepreneurship, etc. and must demonstrate clear leadership by a woman. The solution should reflect originality, community engagement, and measurable outcomes that improve quality of life and promote social equity.
METHODOLOGY
Nominations are invited across the following zones.
East
Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura
West
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu (UT), Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
North
Jammu & Kashmir (UT), Ladakh (UT), Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh (UT), Uttarakhand, Delhi (UT), Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
South
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry (UT), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (UT), Lakshadweep (UT)
After submission of the application form, the entries will undergo evaluation by a distinguished jury, which will shortlist six winners from each zone. These zonal winners will be felicitated at dedicated zonal award ceremonies.
Subsequently, these winners will compete at the national level, evaluated by a distinguished National Jury panel. One winner and one runner-up will be felicitated in each of the six categories, alongside three special editorial commendations, at the National Awards ceremony.
