Gujarat, change doesn’t always come from big speeches or tall buildings. Sometimes, it begins in a quiet village, a small classroom, or under a tree where people gather to talk. It begins when someone decides that things must get better, not just for themselves, but for everyone around them.
Across the state, many such people and organizations are working tirelessly to improve lives. They don’t just give help, they give hope. From training rural women as health workers, to empowering slum, to demand clean water and better homes, these groups are creating lasting change. They teach girls in tribal areas about health and confidence, bring science and curiosity to children who never had the chance, plant trees, clean streets, and support differently individuals to live with dignity.
These local heroes often come from the very communities they serve. They understand the struggles and dreams of the people because they have lived them too. This connection makes their work deeply powerful, real, and rooted in the needs of those who need it most.
Here are ten inspiring NGOs from Gujarat, each with its own story, showing how local efforts are making a big difference in building stronger, hopeful communities.
1. Gujarat Rajya Gram Vikas Samiti (GRGVS)
Focus: Rural development and empowerment
Story: Established in 1988, GRGVS has helped transform rural life across Gujarat by improving access to water, health, and education. In Kheda, the organization trained local women as health workers, equipping them with the tools to reduce maternal and child mortality in their villages. In Amreli, a community water well supported by GRGVS changed the life of a young girl who once walked miles for water. With time saved and energy regained, she could finally return to school marking a small but powerful shift in her future.
2. Catch Foundation
Focus: Environmental conservation and cleanliness
Story: Catch Foundation began its journey in 2014, founded by Bharat Sisodia with a simple cleanliness drive in Motera, inspired by the Swachh Bharat Mission. What began locally grew into “Mera Swachh Ahmedabad,” a movement involving thousands. One of its standout initiatives was a tree plantation along the Sabarmati Riverfront, where 500+ volunteers participated. This green mission encouraged schoolchildren and local groups to start their own environmental actions proving that every big change begins with a small, local step.
3. Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT)
Focus: Empowering women in urban slums through housing and infrastructure
Story: Formed in 1994 by SEWA, MHT addresses the housing and infrastructure challenges of women in urban slums. In Vasna, Ahmedabad, local women trained by MHT took the lead in negotiating with the municipal corporation to install sanitation and water connections. Their efforts not only improved their homes but also elevated them to community leadership roles. Today, these women inspire others to demand dignified living conditions, turning slums into self-governed, resilient neighborhoods.
4. Janpath Network
Focus: Strengthening grassroots NGOs through collaboration and resource sharing
Story: Since its founding in 1989, Janpath Network has become a vital platform for NGO collaboration in Gujarat. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it coordinated emergency relief efforts to reach remote tribal areas with food and medical supplies. In one such village in Chhota Udaipur, Janpath’s connections ensured that help arrived in time. Its success lies not in working alone, but in uniting many small forces to create a bigger, more impactful one.
5. CHETNA (Centre for Health, Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness)
Focus: Health and nutrition for women, children, and adolescents
Story: CHETNA was founded in 1984 by Indu Capoor and a team of women determined to improve health outcomes in vulnerable communities. In Dahod, one of their programs educated adolescent girls on nutrition and reproductive health. Rina, a 15-year-old participant, used this knowledge to advocate for herself and delayed her early marriage. She now helps spread awareness in neighboring villages. CHETNA’s mission isn’t just about health. It’s about creating informed, empowered young leaders.
6. Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC)
Focus: Science education and promotion of scientific literacy.
Story: Established in 1966 by visionary scientist Dr. Vikram A Sarabhai in Ahmedabad, VASCSC has made science accessible and exciting for generations of children. In one memorable summer program, students from government schools built solar cookers and water filters. A boy named Raju, inspired by hands-on learning, now dreams of becoming an inventor. The center continues to inspire curiosity and scientific thinking in young minds across Gujarat.
7. Shree Navchetan Andhjan Mandal
Focus: Supporting differently-abled individuals, especially the visually impaired
Story: Founded over four decades ago in 1976by Laljibhai Prajapati in Bhuj, Shree Navchetan Andhjan Mandal was born from personal experience and compassion. Laljibhai, himself visually impaired, created a school offering education, physiotherapy, and vocational training to blind and differently-abled children. One student, Rekha, trained at the center and later secured a government job becoming a role model for others with similar challenges. The organization continues to prove that disability is not inability.
8. Shroffs Foundation Trust (SFT)
Focus: Holistic sustainable development and livelihood security
Story: Founded in 1980 in Vadodara by the Shroff family, SFT began as a CSR initiative linked to Transpek Industries. It evolved into a full-fledged trust focused on rural development and community empowerment. In Dahod, a rainwater harvesting project led by local woman Vahoniya Jamanben brought clean water to her village. Her active involvement turned her into a community leader. SFT’s work bridges the gap between traditional practices and sustainable, future-ready solutions.
9. Deepak Foundation
Focus: Healthcare, social development, and policy advocacy
Story: Deepak Foundation started in 1982 in Vadodara as a healthcare support unit for industrial workers in the Nandesari area. Over the years, it expanded into a multi-sector development organization. In one project, a pregnant woman named Kalpana received timely ambulance support, saving both her life and her child’s. Today, she volunteers with Deepak Foundation to ensure other rural mothers receive the same life-saving care. The foundation stands as an example of scalable impact starting from community needs.
10. Utthan Gujarat
Focus: Water, Livelihoods, Gender Equity and Natural Resource Management
Story: Utthan Gujarat started in 1981 when four women began organizing marginalized communities in the Bhal region. In one village, local women led efforts to revive rainwater harvesting, solving their water crisis and boosting farming. One of them, once silent, is now a strong local leader championing women’s rights. Utthan’s journey reflects how grassroots leadership can drive lasting, inclusive change. Utthan stands as a model of people-led, participatory development empowering communities to not just demand change but to lead it.
Conclusion:
From the quiet lanes of Kheda to the vibrant streets of Surat, these Gujarat-based NGOs are proof that real change starts at the grassroots. Each organization whether it’s GRGVS training women health workers, Catch Foundation planting green hope, or MHT helping slum residents fight for basic rights has shown that impact is strongest when it’s rooted in the community.
They are not just solving problems; they’re building confidence, dignity, and long-term change alone village, one child, one woman at a time. With decades of dedication and a deep understanding of local needs, these NGOs are creating ripples of transformation that will shape Gujarat’s future. Powered by People. Inspired by Gujarat. At Gujpreneur, we don’t just tell stories—we spotlight changemakers. Stay tuned, support local, and celebrate those building a better Gujarat, one initiative at a time.
