L1
Engage
Reaching 1 lakh students every year
Young people begin through volunteering, active citizenship and direct community engagement.
About
A non-profit rooted in Kerala, working with young people since 2010.
The Ignite Foundation began as a small effort to encourage volunteering and social responsibility among youth in Kerala. Over 15 years, it has evolved into a place-based learning ecosystem enabling young people to solve real problems faced by vulnerable communities through social innovation.
We curate experiential learning journeys — leadership development, education for social change, and social entrepreneurship — that prepare young people to become NGO founders, community organisers, and social impact entrepreneurs.
We believe young people are central to a positive future. By placing youth development at the core of leadership development, we support them to realise their potential in inclusive, community-rooted learning environments.
Global recognition · 2026
The Ignite Foundation is a UNCCD-accredited civil society observer organisation.
What we believe
Our values.
Co-creation
We believe in the possibilities of building together.
Collaboration
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Compassion
A viewpoint, a way of life, a perspective, a habit.
Creativity
We are all creative — no matter who we are or what we do.
Our pathway
Four connected levels.
L2
Transform
60+ aspiring leaders every year
Experiential learning, exposure and recognition help aspiring leaders design their first action projects.
L3
Act
20+ hyperlocal problem solvers every year
Problem solvers address social and environmental needs with communities, taking responsibility with limited resources.
L4
Elevate
10+ social innovators and entrepreneurs every year
Advanced innovators receive incubation and mentoring to build resilient organisations and social enterprises.