Ford Foundation Departs Historic Delhi Premises
The Ford Foundation has officially vacated its long-standing office at Lodhi Estate in New Delhi, a location it has occupied for over six decades. The Indian government has swiftly reallocated the prominent space to two significant India-led international initiatives: the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Government Reallocates Key Property
The decision to initiate eviction proceedings came in 2025 after the foundation's lease for 55, Lodhi Estate concluded. According to officials from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the foundation voluntarily moved out in February of this year, updating its official address to DLF Centre, Sansad Marg, by March. No forceful eviction was required.
New Homes for Global Alliances
On Monday, the Directorate of Estates under MoHUA confirmed the allocation of the ground and first floors of the former Ford Foundation office. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a multi-country coalition launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, will now utilize part of the premises. The IBCA, which aims to protect seven major big cat species, previously operated from Shanti Niketan.
Similarly, the Global Biofuels Alliance, also inaugurated by PM Modi during the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Summit in 2023, will move into the Lodhi Estate building. This alliance, focused on promoting sustainable biofuels, had been functioning from Sanrakshan Bhawan in Bhikaji Cama Place.
A Legacy of Development in India
The Ford Foundation established its New Delhi office in 1952 at the invitation of the Indian government, playing a crucial role in the nation's post-independence development. Over the decades, its programs spanned agriculture, education, and various community initiatives.
- Provided foundational grants to prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
- Offered early support to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, the Indian Institute of Public Administration, and Punjab Agricultural University.
- Supported pivotal programs including the Community Development program, the Intensive Agricultural Districts Programme, and played a significant role in the early stages of India's Green Revolution and the self-help group movement.
Architectural Significance
The original Ford Foundation headquarters at Lodhi Estate was designed by the renowned American architect Joseph Stein. Stein's architectural legacy in Delhi also includes the iconic India Habitat Centre and India International Centre, located within the same complex which continues to house the United Nations and its agencies.