The mission of Music Basti is to strengthen the voices of children-at-risk, while raising awareness also on social global issues such as control and management of natural resources, food sufficiency, gender equity, sustainable environment, health and education. The vision is to establish and strengthen an egalitarian socio- economic order based on the democratic values of equality, sharing, non-violence, cooperation and common good.

Music Basti believes in music for community building and personal development. The program focuses on children-at-risk and urban youth through creating participative music education programs and life-skills. Its aim is to create and promote self- confidence and creativity through interaction and sharing in and through music actively, also involving the youth and music community in consultation, creation, implementation and evaluation.

The programs of Music Basti are managed and administered by Integrated Development Education Association (IDEA), an Indian non- governmental organization working for the empowerment of the powerless especially the dalits, women and children, and differently gifted persons. The agency was registered in 1991 under the Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1860) as an all-India non-profit Association.

Music Basti is recipient of the Best Use of Social Networks – Public Service/Cause/Event at Indian Digital Media Awards 2011, the prestigious “Real Heroes” National Award 2011 for Youth (CNN IBN and Reliance Industries), and Karamveer Puraskaar 2011 National Award for Social Entrepreneurship, as well as a part of British Council India’s Connections Through Culture programme.

The local, national and international network and partners of Music Basti include “Dil Se” Campaign (Center for Equity Studies and Aman Biradari, India), The YP Foundation (India), Bridge Music Academy (India), Hard Rock Cafe Delhi (India), The American Center, The German Embassy, Max Mueller Bhawan, Radio Mirchi, Spandan Communications, Furtados Music India, Indian Youth Climate Network, CRY, iCONGO, Plan India, British Council India, Gibson Foundation (USA), HarmoNYom (New York, USA), German Children’s Fund (Germany), Birmingham City University (UK), Study India Programme (UK), New Music Strategies (UK) and others. Artists part of Music Basti form a local, national and international network from USA, Sweden, Germany, etc. Activities and programs of Music Basti have included the direct participation of over 400 children and 500 volunteers so far, with an outreach to over 1,00,000 persons through public programs and online content.