1. Executive Summary

The One-Day Workshop on Social Stock Exchange (SSE) and Cyber Security Awareness for Northeast Voluntary Organizations was successfully organised by the Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN), with the support of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and CyberPeace, on 16 June 2026 at the North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR), Dimapur, Nagaland.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the institutional capacity of voluntary organisations across Northeast India by promoting awareness of Social Stock Exchange mechanisms, impact funding, organisational governance, regulatory compliance, resource mobilisation, and cyber security.

The programme brought together more than 100 participants, including NGO leaders, academicians, researchers, students, and other stakeholders from across the Northeast. Through expert interactions and knowledge-sharing sessions, participants gained insights into sustainable funding opportunities, responsible organisational practices, social impact measurement, and the importance of digital safety in the voluntary sector.

A special virtual session on cyber security, delivered by Ms Anindita Mishra and Mr Naman Shridhar from CyberPeace, highlighted the growing importance of cyber awareness and secure digital practices for non-governmental organisations and social-sector institutions.

The workshop served as a collaborative platform to encourage more transparent, resilient, digitally secure, and sustainable voluntary organisations in the region.

2. Objectives of the Workshop

The key objectives of the workshop were:

• To introduce voluntary organisations to the Social Stock Exchange framework and its potential for mobilising social investment.
• To create awareness of impact funding opportunities and sustainable resource mobilisation.
• To strengthen understanding of NGO governance, regulatory compliance, and institutional accountability.
• To promote awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding and partnership opportunities.
• To encourage the adoption of social impact measurement and reporting practices.
• To improve cyber security awareness and promote safer digital practices among voluntary organisations.
• To facilitate knowledge exchange among experts, civil society representatives, academic institutions, and development-sector stakeholders.

3. Inaugural Session and Distinguished Participation

The workshop was graced by distinguished representatives from the financial, academic, and development sectors. The presence of experts and institutional representatives enriched the discussions and provided participants with diverse perspectives on social finance, organisational development, and digital security.

The distinguished participants included:

• Shri Vimal Bhatter — Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
• Shri Kaoshal — National Stock Exchange (NSE)
• Ms Shiwani Mundhra — National Stock Exchange (NSE)
• Father Dr. C.P. Anto — North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR)
• Shri Santosh Gupta — Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN)
• Shri Ashish Mansharamani

Their participation underscored the importance of collaboration among regulatory institutions, financial-market stakeholders, academic institutions, and civil society organisations in strengthening the social development ecosystem.

4. Key Sessions and Areas of Discussion

4.1 Social Stock Exchange and Impact Funding

The workshop focused on the role of the Social Stock Exchange as a mechanism to support eligible social enterprises and non-profit organisations in accessing structured funding opportunities. The discussions highlighted the importance of understanding funding frameworks, improving institutional readiness, and maintaining transparency and accountability when mobilising resources for social initiatives.

4.2 Cyber Security Awareness

A special virtual cyber security awareness session was conducted by Ms Anindita Mishra and Mr Naman Shridhar from CyberPeace.

The session emphasised the importance of cyber security for voluntary organisations operating in an increasingly digital environment. It highlighted the need for responsible technology use, awareness of cyber threats, and the adoption of safer digital practices to protect organisational information, communication channels, and stakeholder data.

The session also reinforced the importance of integrating cyber security awareness into the operational practices of civil society organisations to strengthen their digital resilience.

4.3 NGO Governance and Compliance

Discussions addressed the significance of sound governance structures, regulatory compliance, transparency, and accountability in building credible and sustainable organisations. Strong governance practices are essential for maintaining stakeholder confidence and improving organisational readiness for funding and partnerships.

4.4 CSR and Resource Mobilisation

The workshop highlighted the importance of diversifying funding sources and building effective partnerships with corporate and institutional stakeholders. CSR engagement and structured resource mobilisation were discussed as important avenues for supporting social initiatives and improving the long-term sustainability of voluntary organisations.

4.5 Social Impact Measurement

The programme also emphasised the value of measuring and communicating the outcomes of social interventions. Effective impact measurement enables organisations to assess programme effectiveness, demonstrate accountability, identify areas for improvement, and communicate their contributions to stakeholders and funding partners.

5. Participation and Engagement

The workshop witnessed participation from more than 100 individuals representing diverse professional and academic backgrounds across Northeast India.

The participants included:

• Leaders and representatives of voluntary organisations and NGOs.
• Academicians and faculty members.
• Researchers and development-sector professionals.
• Students and emerging social-sector practitioners.

The diversity of participants created opportunities for cross-sectoral learning and strengthened awareness of the interconnected roles of financial sustainability, institutional governance, social impact, and cyber security in organisational development.

6. Key Outcomes

The workshop contributed to the following key outcomes:

1. Improved awareness of social finance: Participants were introduced to Social Stock Exchange concepts and impact-funding opportunities relevant to eligible organisations.
2. Greater emphasis on cyber resilience: The CyberPeace session highlighted the importance of cyber security awareness and safer digital practices within the voluntary sector.
3. Strengthened understanding of governance: Discussions reinforced the need for transparent, accountable, and compliant organisational systems.
4. Awareness of resource mobilisation opportunities: Participants gained exposure to CSR engagement and other approaches to building sustainable funding partnerships.
5. Recognition of impact measurement: The programme highlighted the importance of assessing, documenting, and communicating social outcomes.
6. Enhanced stakeholder engagement: The workshop brought together representatives from regulatory, financial, academic, and civil society institutions, fostering an environment for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

7. Role of CyberPeace

CyberPeace contributed to the workshop through a dedicated virtual cyber security awareness session delivered by Ms Anindita Mishra and Mr Naman Shridhar.

The session supported the broader objective of strengthening the operational resilience of voluntary organisations by highlighting the importance of digital safety alongside financial sustainability and institutional governance.

The participation of CyberPeace reflected the growing relevance of cyber security within the development sector, where organisations increasingly depend on digital platforms for communication, data management, fundraising, outreach, and service delivery.

By integrating cyber security awareness into a programme focused on organisational development, the workshop reinforced the need for a holistic approach to building sustainable and digitally responsible institutions.

8. Conclusion

The One-Day Workshop on Social Stock Exchange (SSE) and Cyber Security Awareness for Northeast Voluntary Organizations successfully provided a platform for knowledge-sharing, institutional learning, and cross-sectoral engagement.

With more than 100 participants and contributions from distinguished representatives of SEBI, NSE, NEISSR, ISRN, and CyberPeace, the programme addressed several critical dimensions of organisational sustainability, including social finance, impact funding, governance, compliance, CSR, impact measurement, and cyber security.

The inclusion of cyber security awareness was particularly significant in emphasising that organisational sustainability extends beyond financial resources and governance structures to include the protection of digital assets, information, and stakeholder trust.

The workshop reaffirmed the importance of collaborative efforts among public institutions, financial-sector stakeholders, academic institutions, and civil society organisations in strengthening the voluntary sector across Northeast India.

Moving forward, continued awareness initiatives, capacity-building programmes, institutional partnerships, and the adoption of responsible digital practices can help voluntary organisations become more transparent, resilient, and sustainable.

The workshop marked a meaningful step towards empowering voluntary organisations across Northeast India with the knowledge, capabilities, and awareness needed to create lasting social impact and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive, and digitally secure India.