At WeDoGood, real change occurs when passionate individuals come together for a shared purpose. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to connect skilled volunteers with NGOs that need their expertise. These volunteers bring experience in marketing, communication, design, and strategy, helping our impact partners strengthen their foundations, tell their stories more effectively, and scale their impact.

Through this series, we aim to celebrate our impact partners, the organisations driving meaningful change and the volunteers who walk alongside them. Each story reflects a shared belief: that when purpose meets skill, extraordinary things can happen.

One such story is our collaboration with Swaraj, an organisation that beautifully blends community-led sustainability with cultural preservation.

Where Culture Meets Sustainability

Swaraj’s work stems from a deep understanding that tradition and sustainability are deeply intertwined. Their programs invite people, especially children and youth, to rediscover the ecological wisdom rooted in India’s heritage. From architecture and crafts to food and lifestyle, every initiative becomes an invitation to see the world through a more mindful, local, and sustainable lens.

When we partnered with Swaraj, our volunteers brought their marketing expertise, a valuable asset that many purpose-driven organisations often lack but rarely have access to. By collaborating closely with the Swaraj team, they helped refine communication strategies, strengthen storytelling, and expand outreach.

This collaboration is a perfect reflection of what WeDoGood stands for: empowering NGOs by pairing them with professionals who bring both skill and heart to the cause.

Read the interview with Gaurav Shorey below.

Q: Can you tell us about the vision behind Swaraj and what inspired you to start this journey?
Gaurav: The word Swaraj means self-rule, but for us, it goes beyond politics, it’s about self-awareness, self-reliance, and harmony with one’s environment. Our work began with the belief that traditional knowledge systems hold the key to sustainability. We wanted to create learning experiences that reconnect people; especially the youth, with their roots, helping them see how cultural practices can guide modern living in balance with nature.

Q: How does Swaraj bring this idea to life through its programs?
Gaurav: We design programs that are hands-on and rooted in real experiences. For example, we run heritage walks, workshops in schools, and community projects where participants observe and document traditional practices, whether it’s architecture, crafts, or food systems. These experiences encourage curiosity and respect for the wisdom of earlier generations. It’s not just about conserving culture; it’s about understanding its relevance to sustainability today.

Q: What has been the impact of this work on communities and participants?
Gaurav: The transformation is often visible in small but powerful ways. Children begin to look at their surroundings differently, they start asking questions, noticing materials, and appreciating the ingenuity behind everyday things. Communities feel seen and valued when their traditions are acknowledged and respected. This builds pride and confidence, which is the foundation of any sustainable change.

Q: How has the collaboration with WeDoGood and its volunteers supported Swaraj’s journey
Gaurav: It’s been incredibly helpful. Most NGOs like ours have a strong vision and deep grassroots experience, but we often lack specialized skills in areas like marketing and communication. The WeDoGood volunteers brought exactly that. They helped us structure our messaging, showcase our work effectively, and communicate our impact to a wider audience. That kind of professional support makes a world of difference because it strengthens our ability to grow and sustain ourselves.

Q: What stands out for you about this collaboration?
Gaurav: What I appreciate most is the spirit of partnership. The volunteers didn’t come in just to advise, they worked with us, understood our challenges, and co-created solutions. It felt like a genuine collaboration built on mutual respect. That alignment of values is rare and special..

Q: What’s next for Swaraj?
Gaurav: We’re expanding our programs to reach more schools and communities, and we want to deepen our documentation of traditional ecological knowledge. There’s so much wisdom waiting to be rediscovered and shared. We also want to continue working with partners like WeDoGood who understand that impact comes from building capacity, not dependency.