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December 2025 Issue #77

Cold doesn’t kill people, lack of clothing does.

December is here, and winter once again highlights the harsh reality of the climate emergency. Odha Do Zindagi (Spread the Warmth) is Goonj’s annual winter campaign — a citizen-led effort to respond to these growing risks with care. Your contribution of woollens and essential materials can bring warmth and dignity to people rebuilding their lives.

Across 2025, floods, landslides, and other disasters have damaged homes, crops, and livelihoods in Uttarakhand, the Northeast, Punjab, and many other states. As winter deepens these hardships, the need is urgent.

Goonj’s 2024–25 Annual Report is out now

At the centre of Goonj’s 2024–25 annual report lies a question that defines our times: How do we rebuild civic life in a world marked by climate volatility, material abundance, and widening  uncertainties?

This report is a blueprint of what a more dignified, circular, and community-led future can look like when society chooses to participate, not just observe.

Celebrating passion. Celebrating changemakers

The Junoon Awards, named after the hindi word for “Passion,” celebrate the heart behind development work. This year’s awards highlight the pressing need to address climate emergencies and honor organisations pioneering innovative, impactful, and community-centered solutions to climate change. A heartfelt thank you to EarthON Foundation for recognising the awardees with a financial reward, and to The Logical Indian for amplifying their stories so they reach many more people.

Four remarkable organisations have been honoured under following categories-

  • Innovative Climate Solutions- Roundglass Foundation
  • Circularity for a Greener Tomorrow- Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra and Realm of Nature-Based Actions
  • Civic Participation in Climate Action- Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust!

Goonj joined the World Summit on Disaster Management (WSDM) 2025. We showcased an immersive exhibition on Disasters: Myths and Realities. A powerful visual journey by Anshu Gupta (Founder- Goonj and Gram Swabhimaan) documenting three decades of disasters in India.

Further, hosted panel discussions on Building People-Centred Disaster Response through Multi-Actor Collaboration and  Community Voices & Resilience – The Missing Link in Disaster Management. We are grateful to diverse stakeholders who encouraged us and engaged in dialogues and discussions.

Maitriee- National Volunteers’ Meet | November 22–23

Maitriee is our annual national volunteers’ meet – a space of collective reflection where strategies are co-created by people who give their time and energy to this work. This year, over 25 volunteers from Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttarakhand joined us in Mumbai. The Palghar field visit highlighted community-led development and reinforced dignity and empathy as core learnings. Over two days, Maitriee reaffirmed that volunteering is shared ownership — and that Goonj grows not just as an organisation, but as an idea.

Stories from the Ground

 

In Amadi village, Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh through shramdaan people restored a neglected well just in time for winter, easing daily struggles and reviving hope.

 

In Tola Dhanukatari  village, Jamui district, Bihar, the monsoon rains cut the main road. Using their own resources and wisdom, they repaired the road before winter hardships intensified.

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