Four innovative projects developed by Salzburg Global Fellows across Japan and India are using technology to drive social change
A Global Approach to Innovation, Equity, and Transformation
In a world facing complex challenges, the path to sustainability requires more than individual efforts. It requires cross-border collaboration and innovative thinking. Salzburg Global, in partnership with The Nippon Foundation, is helping to foster this collaboration between two of Asia’s leading innovation hubs: India and Japan. Through the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network, Salzburg Global Fellows are driving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
The Japan-India Transformative Technology Network creates a platform for collaboration between Japan and India—two technological powerhouses with distinct yet complementary strengths. The program facilitates high-impact discussions, curates knowledge exchange, and shapes actionable initiatives that leverage transformative technologies, responsibly and equitably. From cutting-edge technological solutions to deep-rooted cultural philosophies, the collaboration is offering valuable lessons for the global community.
Charles Ehrlich, director for Peace and Justice programs at Salzburg Global, explained, “India and Japan are two of the most technologically developed countries in Asia, and each come with a unique approach in addressing the critical gaps in socio-cultural fabric. Through the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network, we take some of the best ideas and best approaches and apply them to problems in both countries.”
From Vision to Action: Four Breakthrough Projects Driving Systems Change
Using transformative technologies to reshape societies, Salzburg Global Fellows participating in this program have developed and launched several high-impact projects in India and Japan. These projects were conceptualized during previous meetings in Salzburg and showcase how technology has the power to transform lives—but only if it is designed for everyone.
From February 3 to 7, 2025, the program’s third cohort came together for the Project Acceleration Workshop in Bangalore, India. The workshop facilitated collaborative ideation by bringing in industry experts as mentors and providing creative facilitation in a peaceful environment. The workshop brought mentors to help teams dig deeper, asking questions that made them see things in a different light. Pallavi Kulshrestha, a mentor at the workshop and Associate Director at Dream a Dream India, expressed that “the workshop is a very safe environment to voice ideas, to experiment, to fail and to hear ideas from people.”
The following four project teams worked together throughout the acceleration workshop.
Enability addresses the urgent need of early diagnosis and intervention for persons with disabilities in India, by using digital tools to enhance awareness, promote proactive health-seeking behaviours, and improve treatment adherence.
The accelerator workshop helped the Enability team to learn, evolve, and test the hypothesis. “Being a part of JITTN has given this project an exposure to a large ecosystem of innovators, subject matter experts and more importantly, access to thought leaders who have leveraged technology for social good and have experience of working with the government and other stakeholders,” said Subhojit Goswami from The Leprosy Mission Trust.
ParkAble is the first pilot of the Civic Listening Project and aims to make urban planning more responsive, equitable, and community-driven. The team has a broader goal of enhancing inclusivity in urban spaces, particularly for marginalized groups like people with disabilities.
Fellows on the ParkAble project team shared their admiration for the thoughtful curation of teams, mentors, and resource persons at the workshop, saying “the program showed the power of working across disciplines, institutions, and cultures. The diversity of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives within our cohort and among mentors has been incredibly valuable. While it sometimes takes time to align ideas and navigate differences, the end result is always something beyond what we initially imagined.”
Portals is working to redefine digital infrastructure as a tool for fostering community resilience, engagement, and well-being, through enhancing connectivity through digital spaces. The team aims to create stronger local networks that can contribute to the mental health and productivity of migrant workers worldwide.
The Portals team acknowledged that the opportunity to engage in discussions with internationally-minded leaders and researchers at the project acceleration workshop “reinforced the understanding that technology is not merely a tool but can also contribute to social inclusion and improved well-being.”
Next Sensory Augmented Hearing Aid (NSAHA) seeks to redefine accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments. The project is a significant leap forward in assistive technology, redefining accessibility for individuals who rely on enhanced auditory perception to navigate the world.
In admiration of these Fellows, Leena San, Assistant Director at EY Japan and mentor for the workshop, remarked, “I am amazed at how everybody is so talented and so resourceful, and how they're tapping into each other’s knowledge, and then thinking about how we could tie those resources together to achieve a larger social impact.”
By weaving together real-world case studies and expert insights, Salzburg Global Fellows are developing these projects to bridge technological advancements with real-world action.
Shared Vision for Impact: Partnership Between Salzburg Global and The Nippon Foundation
The Japan-India Transformative Technology Network, through its four cohorts of more than 120 Fellows, has created a community of open-minded leaders who are curious, thoughtful, constructive, and dedicated to providing accessible and innovative solutions with real-world impact.
By fostering a dynamic, solutions-driven exchange between India and Japan, rooted in technology, innovation, and cross-sectoral partnerships, the program is not only strengthening India-Japan relations but also setting a new benchmark for global partnerships driven by shared vision and actionable change.
Expressing gratitude for the partnership with the Nippon Foundation, Charles Ehrlich shared, “We've had 40 years of work with the Nippon Foundation. They're a fantastic partner, and we are hopeful that we continue to work with them on many projects into the future.”
Yuko Tani, Manager at the Nippon Foundation, added, “Partnering with Salzburg Global, whose mission is to overcome barriers and open up a world of better possibilities, the Nippon Foundation envisions building cross-border networks that drive social transformation. Through the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network, we hope to nurture lasting relationships among thought leaders who can collaborate across nations to address pressing global challenges.”
By focusing on technology’s role on issues that impact people’s lives, the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network is driving impactful change that resonates far beyond Japan and India. Salzburg Global amplifies this mission by providing a neutral, thought-leadership-driven space where global stakeholders can engage in meaningful discussions on technology’s potential for social good.
We invite organizations, donors, and supporters to engage with these transformative projects and explore opportunities for collaboration. For further inquiries and partnership opportunities, please email Charles Ehrlich at cehrlich@salzburgglobal.org.
Learn more about the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network.
Read about more projects developed through the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network.
