The Ignite Foundation at United Nations COP 17

Highlight of the month

At the Conference of Parties (COP) 17

The Ignite Foundation was part of the civil society organisations representing India at the United Nations COP17, held in Mongolia. Our co-founders Ijas H. and Jaseel C. K. took part in civil society meetings, plenary sessions and discussions with intergovernmental and civil society actors.

We were the only CSO from Kerala and among the youngest from across the globe to be part of COP17. The participation followed our accreditation as a UNCCD civil society observer organisation in 2026.

Community connect · Changemakers Ashram

A season of community engagement

A series of community activities is under way around the Changemakers Ashram in Chakkittappara — community space beautification, children's camps, gathering spaces for older people, intergenerational conversations, farming experiments as part of climate engagement, land restoration and volunteering.

Updates from us

Insights from the team

5 reasons why social entrepreneur well-being matters

There is an unwritten rule in social entrepreneurship that we rarely talk about: to be a committed changemaker, you are expected to sacrifice. Somehow, being tired becomes a sign that you care. But exhaustion is not a strategy for social impact.

1. 1.

   Well-being helps prevent burnout

   Burnout is not simply a personal failure — it can be a structural hazard where people are expected to do more with fewer resources. Protecting energy and mental space is risk management, not luxury.

2. 2.

   We need to move beyond the 'hero' culture

   Social change should not depend on one person's ability to keep sacrificing themselves. Sustainable leadership means resilient teams, systems and institutions.

3. 3.

   A rested mind is better at solving complex problems

   Social problems need creativity, patience and listening. A rested mind doesn't guarantee a good solution, but an exhausted mind makes good problem-solving harder.

4. 4.

   Your team learns from how you work

   Culture is shaped by what leaders do, not what they say. You can care deeply about the mission without sacrificing your entire life to it.

5. 5.

   Social change is a marathon, not a sprint

   The work is inherently long-term, which makes longevity one of a changemaker's greatest assets.

Well-being is not something that comes after impact. It is part of the infrastructure that makes sustained impact possible.

— Naji Mahfood, Co-Founder, The Ignite Foundation

Opinion · Founder perspective

Start small, build smart: why first experiments matter

What if your idea is bigger than what you can do right now? You want to improve education in your village, but you don't have funding, a large team, an office or a ten-year plan. Does that mean you are not ready to start?

Not necessarily. Many ventures, including well-known social enterprises, did not begin with a detailed business plan. They began with something much smaller — a personal experience, an observation, a few people, a little money, or simply a strong desire to do something about a problem. The size of your first action does not determine the size of your eventual ambition. In fact, starting small can make a big ambition more realistic.

— Jaseel C. K., Co-Founder, The Ignite Foundation

Impact story

Mental health support for unorganised working women

Muthalamada Panchayat is home to many women working in the unorganised sector — agriculture, construction, coconut mills, tailoring and pencil manufacturing — where employment insecurity, financial difficulty and family responsibilities weigh heavily.

SST 9 alumna Maheswari organised a mental health awareness and stress-management session for these women with a certified counsellor. Participants learned about anxiety and stress, practised breathing exercises, and received information about nearby mental health services.

"Job insecurity, financial difficulties, low wages and family responsibilities were contributing to stress, anxiety, sleeplessness and emotional pressure among the women."— Maheswari

Following the session, Maheswari created a WhatsApp community connecting the women with counsellors, social workers and psychologists — continuing support well beyond the initial intervention. Supported by the SST Community Action Seed Fund and mentorship.

Reflection · Ijas H., Co-Founder

We need more of us in these rooms

Representing The Ignite Foundation as an accredited observer organisation gave us the chance to experience global climate policy conversations from inside the room — plenary sessions, civil society spaces, and sharing our work on hyper-local land restoration and social innovation.

India has the world's largest youth population, and young people and grassroots organisations are already working on climate change, land degradation and livelihoods. Yet many of these voices remain absent from global policy spaces. To young changemakers and organisations in India: don't self-reject. Apply. Participate. Share your work. Claim your space.

"What began years ago as simple grassroots volunteering has gradually evolved into social work, community-driven climate action and social entrepreneurship. This opportunity is a recognition of that collective journey."

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