This blog has been written by Deepali Vandana and Iravati K from Urja Trust.
Many organisations begin with passion. Urja Trust began with purpose— the purpose of restoring dignity to young women surviving violence and homelessness. Founded a decade ago by Deepali Vandana and Altaf Shaikh, Urja was built on the belief that justice, equity, compassion, courage, and resourcefulness are not ideals—they are rights.
From the beginning, the organisation aimed not only to support individuals but also to strengthen accountability within the broader ecosystem and challenge systemic inequalities and injustices. Working closely with survivors taught us that experiential insights and evidence-based approaches were essential—not only to deepen impact but to ensure transparency and accountability across systems that routinely overlook the most marginalised.
As Urja’s work expanded and diverse funders came on board, our monitoring and evaluation systems also evolved—often reactively. Much of our documentation and data processes were shaped by donor reporting requirements rather than by a unified organisational strategy. This phase offered a valuable lesson: meaningful change requires that data, measurement, and evidence reflect the organisation’s mission and values, not just external expectations.
The Data Catalyst Program (DCP) arrived at the perfect moment, helping us refine this vision. Over four months, our Co-founder, Deepali Vandana, and M&E Lead, Iravati K, engaged with the program’s mentorship and support, enabling us to rethink how we view, value, and govern data. During this period, we made concrete progress, including:
- Standardising data collection tools across programs
- Reviewing historical data
- Developing program indicators rooted in context
- Drafting a Data Security and Privacy Policy
- Creating a Data Management SOP for the organisation
This process helped us begin building a robust governance framework—one that honours survivors, supports community workers, and maintains ethical and secure practices. For a grassroots organisation where crises often take precedence, consistent mentorship from Akansha at Project Tech4Dev enabled us to maintain momentum and prioritise this essential work. These efforts have brought us closer to our long-term vision of becoming an evidence-driven organisation contributing to policy discourse and shaping narratives around homelessness, caste-based violence, and gender-based violence.
Being part of a cohort of 13 peers offered immense learning and solidarity. Engaging with experts further enriched our understanding and helped us take informed steps forward. As this four-month journey concludes, we feel confident that the momentum has truly begun.
Today, Urja Trust continues to strengthen its data and accountability practices. We use evidence not only to report outcomes but to shape strategy, address root causes, and create sustainable change for the young women we serve. Our journey has reaffirmed an important reality: data is not just numbers. For us, data is a tool to ensure dignity, equity, and justice for all. Every number we document carries a story, and every story carries a truth the world must hear. Our data is not about counting lives—it is about making every life count.
At Urja, data begins with the community and belongs to the community. Every insight shared by a young woman is not just information; it is direction, courage, and a pathway to solutions led by those who live the realities we are trying to change.
