SHILLONG, April 24: The North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) was felicitated on Thursday at the INDIAdonates Symposium for its exceptional contributions to grassroots sustainability.
The Synergy and Sustainability Symposium IV, held at the Chancery Pavilion in Bengaluru, was themed ‘Amplifying Impact: Scaling Solutions for a Sustainable Future’.
NESFAS received recognition under the category “Amplifying Impact through Ground-Up Community-Led Action” for its transformative work in promoting sustainable development and agro-livelihoods at the community level. Its inclusive and participatory model stands as a powerful example of fostering community ownership and creating lasting impact.
Representing NESFAS at the event were Executive Director Bah Pius Ranee and Senior Associate for Administration & Finance, Nangshan Skhem Lyngdoh.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to INDIAdonates for acknowledging NESFAS’s efforts in revitalizing, safeguarding and promoting local food systems,” Ranee said in his address.
He also noted that although they come from a region rich in biodiversity, local food systems are increasingly under threat from external forces. “In the face of these challenges, we need more support to restore pride, especially among young people by both introducing and reviving nature-based livelihoods through innovative approaches. We believe this will help reconnect them with Mother Earth,” Ranee added.
The event brought together leaders from philanthropy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), civil society, and government sectors to showcase scalable and impactful development models while encouraging dialogue aimed at inspiring systemic change.
It may be mentioned that the one-day symposium focused on promoting scalable solutions for a sustainable future, highlighting the importance of innovation and collaboration. It also served as a platform to catalyse social change by enabling meaningful partnerships between grassroots organisations, corporate and philanthropists.
Other highlights of the programme included keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive sessions designed to promote knowledge exchange and yield actionable outcomes.
