Welcome to the Spring issue of the Development in Action magazine. Spring is the time when DiA prepares more volunteers to work at our partner organisations across India, so our theme this issue is ‘Volunteering in Action’. We hear from volunteers at three of our partner organisations in India, and also announce the inaugural Development in Action Photographer of the Year Award.

Firstly Priya Patel describes the International Solar Food Processing Conference at the Barli Development Institute in Indore. She explains how important the technology is, not just in central India, but on a global scale.

Amy Sheppey explains how the innovative use of an unusual crop known as Spirulina, is helping in the social development of rural communities in Tamil Nadu.

At Sewa Mandir, Udaipur, Elizabeth Gunstone provides a fascinating account of her experiences working on a ‘Sexual Reproductive Health and Gender’ training module for youth leaders in the area.

Steph Champion takes a step back from her volunteering experiences at Barli and gets some perspective on what it means to be a volunteer in a multi-agency setting. Her thought provoking article discusses how the different aims and structures of organisations forces volunteers to really consider their roles and personal aims.

This issue also includes a creative piece of writing from Amy Sheppey. Her wonderful poem sums up so many feelings and experiences of volunteering and living in India, and I hope it inspires others to contribute to the more creative side of Development in Action.

In a similar artistic vein, the inaugural Development in Action Photographer of the Year competition can be found in this issue. Please have a look at all their fantastic photos and vote for what you think are the best pictures from this year’s volunteers.

Tom Wilmot