From one workshop in 2012 to where we are today — 13 years of working with Gurugram.
Every milestone on this page was built on one conviction: that Gurugram’s residents deserve a credible, independent platform to understand, engage with, and improve their city.
2012
Year GurgaonFirst was founded — one workshop, one conviction, one city
54+
Events hosted over 13 years — from intimate roundtables to 250-delegate conclaves
2026
Today — a multi-programme civic platform with three operational streams and national recognition
Our journey began in 2012, the year of Gurgaon’s first municipal council elections — a moment when the city was changing fast and facing real challenges. Gurgaon First found its purpose then: to bridge citizens, institutions, and governance. What started as workshops and roundtables grew into a broader mission — catalyzing civic engagement and collective action, because informed residents make better contributors, and diverse voices working together build better solutions.
The timeline
Year by year — the milestones that shaped GurgaonFirst
Founded — the first workshop
Shubhra Puri convenes Gurugram’s first multi-stakeholder civic workshop: “Gurgaon as a Smart City.” The city had no independent platform for citizens, government, and civil society to think together about urban challenges. GurgaonFirst fills that gap. Traffic solutions and women’s safety workshops follow within the same year.
Building momentum — waste, water, women’s safety
The platform builds rapidly. January brings a landmark workshop: “Making Gurgaon a Safer Place for Women” (Jan 9, 2013) at Fortis Memorial Research Institute — bringing together RWAs, citizen forums, and NGOs. Women’s Day 2013 follows. Waste management, water crisis, and green buildings workshops through the year establish the civic agenda.
Expanding scope — energy, schools, industry
Josh Gurgaon 2014 — a celebration and visioning exercise for the city. Workshops on electricity sector reform, worker safety in the automobile sector, and Gurgaon School’s Conclave 2015 (held this year). The urban agenda broadens to include education, industrial safety, and citizen empowerment.
Solar leadership — 250-delegate workshop, MoU with government
February 25, 2015 — “Energising Gurgaon Through Solar” draws 250 delegates including DC Gurgaon and the Director of MNRE. GurgaonFirst signs an MoU with DC Gurgaon and the National Institute of Solar Energy for solar training and consultancy. The Solar Handbook is launched. Haryana Fresh farm-to-consumer programme is also launched this year.
Policy engagement deepens — RWAs, smart mobility, POSH
Annual RWA Conclave 2016: “Towards Citizen Involvement in Gurgaon’s Development.” Workshops on women’s safety at public and workplaces, and “Smart Mobility Solutions for NCR” bringing urban mobility experts and government together. POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) advocacy begins in earnest.
Waste Management Handbook — a national milestone
The Book Launch of the Gurugram Handbook on Waste Management — Gurugram’s first under the Swachh Bharat Mission, co-created with central government. Solar roadmap roundtable and Annual RWA Conclave 2017 deepen engagement with Gurugram’s residential communities. Air quality begins emerging as a crisis requiring dedicated attention.
Music for a Cause launches — Swachhta Anthem with MCG
GurgaonFirst produces Swachhta Ki Dhoom — the Swachhta Anthem in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram — launching a new creative advocacy platform. Solar roundtable for RWAs, inaugural solar roundtable, and the “First Step Towards Home Food Gardens” workshop demonstrate deepening community reach.
Gurugram Environment Conclave — 150 delegates, Minister as chief guest
October 5, 2019 — the landmark Gurugram Environment Conclave draws 150 delegates across sustainability experts, architects, RWA officials, NGOs, and schools. Chief guest Rao Inderjit Singh (Minister of State, Ministry of Urban Development). Highlights the release of “Roadmap and Framework for Sustainable Development of Gurugram” co-authored with Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Also: “Jot Se Jot” produced for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
COVID — resilience, solidarity, and going digital
When COVID-19 forces Gurugram into lockdown, GurgaonFirst responds with “Faasle Badhe To Kya” — a solidarity anthem celebrating civil society and administration working together. A New World Webinar Series launches, with the opening session on “Containing Pollution Post Lockdown & Beyond.” Women’s Day Marathon anthem “Hasratein Hoon Na Dabeen” produced for Gurgaon Police and District Administration.
GF Foundation formalised — scaling institutional work
GurgaonFirst Foundation is formally constituted as the not-for-profit arm to deliver structured CSR projects for corporate partners and institutions. Ekta Ke Naam produced for Haryana Government Sports Department. Citizen Charter for RWAs, solar roundtable for RWAs, and the NGO School Network Meet are convened.
National recognition — Gorakhpath anthem, school sustainability, NGO Changemaker award
Gorakhpath, Sab Ka Path — the launch anthem for Raahgiri in Uttar Pradesh, marking GurgaonFirst’s creative reach beyond Gurugram. CCA School sustainability training and the Becoming Waste Wise programme scale across institutions. GurgaonFirst Foundation is honoured as an NGO Changemaker at the Global Sustainability Awards at Miranda House, New Delhi. POSH training expanded to 250+ Fortune 500 companies in Gurugram.
Digital transformation — new platform, wider reach
GurgaonFirst launches its new digital platform — a comprehensive civic intelligence portal for Gurugram with live AQI tracking, sustainability data, event listings, and a knowledge hub. Participation in the Global Startup Festival 2025 on Sustainability & Circular Economy. The POSH Workshop for ICC members and HR professionals is convened (Workshop 54). Ongoing campaigns on air quality, Aravalli protection, and solar energy adoption continue.
The journey continues — and you can be part of it.
Every workshop, handbook, and campaign is shaped by Gurugram’s citizens. Join us for the next chapter.