OpenStacks for Change

An open, modular ecosystem of tools for development research, evaluation, and program design — built in India, shared for impact.

9 repositories
4 active stacks
3 languages
MIT licensed

Why This Exists

Across public health, climate, education, and gender equity, organisations repeatedly solve identical challenges and rebuild the same tools independently. OpenStacks asks: how do we build systems that learn — not just deliver?

openstacks.dev (you are here)

├── InsightStack ── MEL tools & calculators (Stata/Python/R)
├── FieldStack ──── R notebooks for fieldwork & evaluation
├── EquityStack ─── Python/Jupyter data workflows
├── SignalStack ─── Research Rundown newsletter

├── RootStack ───── Database schemas (early-stage)
├── BridgeStack ── API backend (early-stage)
├── ViewStack ──── Frontend UI (early-stage)
└── PolicyStack ── Policy tracker (early-stage)

How to Use

1

Pick Your Language

R? Use FieldStack. Python? Use EquityStack. Stata? Use InsightStack. Each stack is self-contained.

2

Clone and Explore

Each repo has sample data and documentation. Browse by topic or analysis type.

3

Adapt and Contribute

Modify scripts for your own data. Share your tools back with the community.

The Stacks

Tools you can use today, and foundations being built for tomorrow.

On the Roadmap

ClimateStack

Composite risk scores, resilience modelling, geo-mapping

EduStack

Learning assessment pipelines, education dashboards

SocialStack

Rapid ethnography, qualitative coding, NLP

InfraStack

Access scoring, infrastructure mapping, spatial planning

Who This Is For

Development Practitioners

Ready-to-use analysis tools for MEL, impact assessment, and program design across health, education, gender, and climate.

Researchers & Evaluators

Reproducible scripts, sample data, and evaluation frameworks grounded in real South Asian fieldwork.

Data Analysts in NGOs

Python, R, and Stata templates that work with the data formats and analysis patterns you actually use.

Students & Educators

Practice datasets, guided notebooks, and real-world examples for development economics and public policy courses.

Dr. Varna Sri Raman

Dr. Varna Sri Raman

Development economist, social researcher, and licensed social justice worker with 20+ years of experience across public health, education, gender equity, and climate resilience in India and South Asia.

Has led programme design, MEL strategies, and research with Oxfam, UNICEF, Gates Foundation, PLAN India, and BBC Media Action. Founder of StoryWell Books.

If you find OpenStacks useful in your work, consider supporting the project.

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