Child in Need Institute (CINI), founded in 1974 by Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, a paediatrician from AIIMs, Delhi is inspired by a simple yet powerful belief that every child has the right not only to survive, but to thrive and reach their full potential. What began as a modest clinic for under-five malnourished children grew into a journey of placing children’s rights, dignity, and well-being at the centre of development practice. From the outset, CINI has been guided by values of accountability, collaboration, care, and integrity.
With over five decades of experience, CINI currently has a presence across the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh with a partnership and coordination office in New Delhi – working in urban settlements, rural areas, tribal areas and hard-to-reach communities. CINI’s approach is rooted in partnership, working with communities and government systems to strengthen public services and ensure vulnerable children, women and adolescents are not left behind.
What distinguishes CINI is its rights-based approach, community mobilization and partnership with system, uniquely known as the CINI Method – an integrated model that turn child rights into lived realities. Rather than creating parallel services, CINI builds Child Friendly Communities, Systems and Organizations enabling duty-bearers to translate rights from principle into practice across the life cycle from even before pregnancy to early childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
CINI’s core areas of work include health, nutrition, education, child protection, and adolescent empowerment, with cross-cutting priorities on gender inclusion and environmental sustainability. These efforts are supported by practical resource kits, training manuals, evidence tools, and implementation guidelines.
Guided by a clear five-year strategic vision and evidence-led advocacy, CINI has demonstrated measurable impact, validated by national and international evaluations. CINI was recognised nationally and globally, including receipt of the National Award for Child Welfare and the WHO Award for Excellence in Primary Health Care.
Today, CINI serves as a resource, training and technical support institution – reaching ten million people each year, anchored in sustainability and community ownership, ensuring lasting impact and healthier communities.
