French companies have invested more than `150 crore in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in India, in financial year 2019-20. To recognize their contribution, Indo- French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) launched the maiden edition of the IFCCI CSR Conclave and Awards on November 21, 2019, at Ibis Aerocity, New Delhi. Ajit Pai, Officer on Special Duty, NITI Aayog along with CSR heads, policy-makers, decision-makers, business leaders, CSR foundations and non-profit organizations were a part of the programme.

Initiated by the CSR committee of the Chamber, the Conclave showcased CSR projects of top French companies in India and recognized how these companies have linked their CSR activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Eleven shortlisted companies made a presentation of four minutes each.

Payal S. Kanwar, Director General of IFCCI, highlighted that 66 applications were received from Indo-French companies and the jury had shortlisted about 11 companies across four award categories for the Best CSR Project Award. Pernod Ricard India Foundation won the Best CSR Project Award in Community, Dassault Systèmes Foundation won the Best CSR Project in Education and Skill Development, Schneider Electric India Foundation got the award for the Best CSR Project in Environment. The Best CSR Project in Healthcare went to NAOS Skin Care India Pvt Ltd and the Patrick Rousseau Jury Special Award was given to Legrand.

During the Conclave, a panel discussion was also held on the topic “Are Indo-French companies leveraging partnerships effectively in pursuit of CSR Programmes” which was moderated by Sumana Das Gupta Bhasin, Director – Corporate Partnerships, HelpAge India. The panellists were Meenakshi Batra, CEO, Charities Aid Foundation India, Anurag Pratap, Digital Inclusion & Sustainability Leader, Capgemini India, Sunil Duggal, Whole Time Director-Corporate Affairs, S&R and Corporate Communication, Pernod Ricard India and Rajiv Aramadaka, Brand Leader, CATIA, Dassault Systèmes India.