Livelihoods and Community Engagement

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

16th July 2024: As a significant part of the company’s CSR intervention, Tata Chemicals Community Development arm, Tata Chemicals Society of Rural Development (TCSRD), in partnership with the NGO “Light of Life Trust” (LOLT) established a Livelihood and Skill Training Center in Mulshi, Pune today. This center is set to benefit around 430 individuals from 10 villages around the Tata Chemicals Innovation Center during the fiscal year 2024-25. In a bid to provide livelihood and skill development, the center will not only provide training but also assist the trained individuals in securing employment or facilitating the establishment of their entrepreneurial venture. Through this comprehensive skill center introduced in Mulshi by TCSRD and LOLT, a range of short-term training courses, including

15th July 2024: AgriWings, a leader in precision agricultural drone spraying services, is making strides to revolutionize the agricultural landscape through its Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) channel. This initiative aims to empower rural youth, providing them with the tools, training, and support necessary to succeed as entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. AgriWings is dedicated to equipping VLEs with the knowledge and skills required to thrive. The training encompasses various aspects of agricultural entrepreneurship, focusing on quality management and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). By ensuring proper SOPs, AgriWings guarantees that VLEs maintain high standards in their operations, fostering trust and reliability. Recognizing the financial hurdles faced by many aspiring entrepreneurs, AgriWings offers comprehensive loan processing assistance. This support makes

26th June 2024: In response to India’s critical skills gap, the Magic Bus India Foundation has played a pivotal role in training and empowering young people with life and employability skills. Through its Adolescent Programme, the organization has empowered 15 lakh adolescents in 2023-24, equipping them with life skills to achieve school, life, and work outcomes. In the same year, the Livelihood Programme, which is aligned with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and National Occupational Standards (NOS) framework enrolled over 1.25 lakh youth and placed over 80% in sustainable jobs providing them with transferable life and employability skills.  Over the last 25 years, Magic Bus has empowered the lives of nearly 34 lakh young people.  It has its eyes set

18 June 2024: In the heart of Maharashtra’s tribal interiors, Tata Motors has embarked on a transformative mission—the One Million Plantation initiative. This ambitious project aims to sow saplings of hope for local communities in the Palghar district. To date, 1.5 million fruit and forest saplings have taken root, covering 13,000 acres across eight blocks and breathing life into once-barren land. As part of the Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP), Tata Motors’ initiative not only curbs distress migration but also generates income for local communities by providing sustainable income, leveraging the MNREGs scheme for sapling aftercare, and later through produce sales. So far, more than 1.5 million plantations have benefited 13,000 farmers in the region by transforming 13,000 acres of