Livelihoods and Community Engagement

23rd October 2024: In a significant step towards creating sustainable livelihoods, Futures First Info Services Pvt Ltd, as part of their CSR Initiatives, has collaborated with the Roots Foundation, and has inaugurated a skilling training center in Udyog Vihar, Gurugram. The center is set to deliver an ambitious skill development initiative focusing on sewing machine operations (SMO), tailoring, and pattern-making. The program aims to empower youth and women by enhancing their economic opportunities and fostering financial independence within the community. The launch event was graced by key people from both organizations. Ms. Cheryl Gureja, Director, and Ms. Apurva Sharma, VP- HR & Operations, from Futures First Info Services Pvt Ltd, along with Mr. Ritwik Bahuguna and Ms. Ridhima Bahuguna, Co-Founders

7th October 2024:  Diageo India recently celebrated the graduation of the Third batch of students from Assam, trained in hospitality through its ‘Learning for Life’ program, in collaboration with Orion Educational Society (OES). The convocation ceremony was graced by the presence of Shri Rupak Sarma, MLA (Nagaon Sadar), Shri Simanta Bora, Vice Chairman, Nagaon Municipal Board, Dr. Sarat Borkotoki, Former Principal, Nowgong College Autonomous, Mr. Tarun Yadav, Cluster Head, Assam and Mr. Surajit Dutta, Public Policy Lead, Northeast from Diageo. The program comprises of over 300 hours of skills-based training provided by academia and industry professionals for employment in hospitality, tourism, and allied industries. The comprehensive curriculum offers students training in Front Office Administration and Food and Beverage services along

October 3, 2024: The Flipkart Foundation, the charitable arm of the Flipkart Group, has collaborated with Swades Foundation, a leading grassroots organization in rural development, to launch a transformative initiative aimed at uplifting the rural youth in Raigad district of Maharashtra. The project, named ‘Rural Prosperity: Empowering Rural Youth through Targeted Skill Development for Sustainable Incomes,’ is set to enhance livelihoods by skilling 200 youth with the goal of increasing household incomes by approx. INR 80,000 annually. The program will focus on providing vocational training to youth between the age of 18 and 35, with an extended age limit of up to 10 years for select community-based self-employment courses like masonry and painting. This initiative seeks to elevate individual incomes

19th September 2024: At the prestigious 11th National CSR Summit and CSR Times Awards 2024, Sesa Goa was honored with the CSR Times Award in the ‘Livelihood’ category for its Project Gram Nirmaan. The event was held in partnership with the Goa CSR Authority. The award was presented by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and was received by Saptesh Sardesai, CEO, VAB, in recognition of significant contributions to community development through sustainable livelihood initiatives. The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Mr. Sadanand Shet Tanawade (Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha), Mr. Subhash Uttam Phal Desai (Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, Government of Goa), and Mr. Bhaskar Chatterjee (Former Director General

The corporate sector should come up with a concrete action plan to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms and industrial growth are available to the people living in poverty. Public-private partnerships for rural development are receiving increased attention in the international community. The idea of linking for-profit business with the broad concerns of governments for economic and social development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is becoming increasingly manifested in a growing family of efforts within and outside the UN system. CSR initiatives can support revitalizing these traditions by providing market linkages, skill training, and access to finance. This preserves cultural heritage and creates sustainable livelihoods, contributing to the economic upliftment of rural artisans and craftsmen. The

4th September 2024: Bry-Air, a flagship company under the Pahwa Group, inaugurated a check dam at Bala Dehra village, Alwar as part of its CSR activity. The CSR project is part of the 60-year celebration of Bry-Air with an aim to alleviate the issue of water scarcity in the region. Alwar, being a semi-arid region, has continuously struggled with the water crisis. Owing to this, the people of the place are highly dependent on the monsoon for farming activities. Considering that Bala Dehra village is situated at the foothills of the Aravalli Range in Alwar, the water problem is exacerbated, where people find it difficult to continue farming processes due to shortage of water and a brief monsoon season ranging

3rd September 2024: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) donated INR 3 crore to the PM CARES fund as part of its CSR effort for relief across various states that experienced or continue to face flood-like situations due to incessant rains. The recent floods have caused widespread destruction, including loss of lives and livelihoods in many parts of India. MSIL’s contribution aims to support the government’s relief and rebuilding efforts across the country. Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We stand in solidarity with the individuals and families affected by the recent natural calamities. In times of crisis, it is a collective responsibility to stand together and rebuild. Our contribution is a humble gesture

28th August 2024: In a move that blends innovation with community support, APM Terminals Pipavav has unveiled its latest initiative to empower local fishermen. The company handed 8 units of solar-powered fish dryers to fishing groups in Shiyalbet village, marking a significant leap towards sustainable fishing practices in the region. This cutting-edge technology addresses a longstanding challenge faced by local fishing communities, particularly those catching the Bombay duck variety. The solar dryers promise to revolutionize the traditional fish drying process, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative that could substantially boost the livelihoods of these hardworking fishermen. In addition to the solar fish dryers, GPPL has supported the formation of Sagarmitra, a Fisheries Producer Company at Jafrabad, currently associated with 425

14 August 2024: Ambuja Foundation, in partnership with Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), has announced the Integrated Water Resource Development Project, an initiative aimed at combating water scarcity and soil salinization in the Gir forest and the coastal zones of Una and Gir Gadhada in Gujarat. This strategic collaboration will implement sustainable solutions that will positively impact the livelihoods of communities in the region. IHCL, a prominent Tata Group company with a portfolio of over 300 hotels worldwide, will leverage its resources and expertise alongside the Ambuja Foundation to replicate the successful Kodinar coastal area development model in the adjacent river basin of Rupen in Una and Gir Gadhada. These areas have been identified as critical zones facing water scarcity, salinity,

2nd August 2024: Project AMBER Report “Empowering Lives: Embracing Collaboration” was released at the AMBER Summit by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. This report highlights the project’s advancements in skills training and job placements, offering insights and best practices to guide future skills development initiatives in India. Project AMBER (Accelerated Mission for Better Employment and Retention) is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and Generation India Foundation under Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP), a World Bank-funded MSDE program. Supported by leading CSR entities in India, including JPMorgan Chase, Project AMBER is a unique public-private partnership in