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WASH (Water Sanitation And Hygiene) With CSR

Health and sanitation in India has been a point of concern for quite a long time. According to a report published in the Times of India on 9th September 2015, around 1.2 million children under the age of 5 die every year in the subcontinent. Most of these deaths occur because of preventable waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and are symptomatic of poor waste management. This is compounded by the fact that over 600 million people defecate in the open in India. Government Agendas The government, with its ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign, aims at achieving 100% cleanliness in India. The vision is one of better sanitation facilities in both rural and urban centres by 2019. In the budget for the financial year 2016-17, the central government allocated INR 9000 crore towards this drive, a major step in the history of India. Through a gazetted notification in 2014, the government has also made the involvement of corporates compulsory in this massive drive through the Companies Act of 2014. This makes it compulsory for industries to contribute towards the improvement of health conditions through the vehicle of Corporate Social Responsibility. Corporations And CSR Even before the call-to-action by the prime minister, a number of big companies had already adopted CSR measures to better the sanitation and hygiene conditions of India. CSR divisions of corporations add value through measures like hand-washing awareness campaigns in local schools, constructing toilets and clean-water facilities, and efficiently managing waste. Case Study: HUL Hindustan Unilever Limited has undertaken a long-term initiative as part of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. Its objectives, on a global level are: To help more than a billion people take action to improve their health and wellbeing To halve the environmental footprint of their products To enhance the livelihood of millions of people as the business grows Water Conservation Drive India faces a scarcity of pure, drinkable water. To solve this, HUL aims to create a water supply of 500 billion litres by 2020. They’ve set up the Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) to improve the water conservation capacity in India. Help A Child Reach 5 In 2012, HUL started a program called ‘Help A Child Reach 5’. It involved a massive hand-washing awareness campaign under the banner of their product, Lifebuoy. It aims to bring awareness of the importance of hand washing to at least a billion of people by 2020. In 2015, HUL reached out to would-be and new mothers, teaching them proper sanitation and hygiene during the natal-period of the first 28 days after birth. This period is extremely crucial to the well-being of the child. They began their drive in Kerala, and have moved to Thesgora, a village in Madhya Pradesh that has recorded one of the highest number of diarrhea cases in children under 5. An extremely powerful video, propagating the ‘Help A Child Reach 5’ campaign has gone viral. Water sanitation and hygiene is one of the top issues India needs to focus on collectively. HUL is a titan that has picked up WASH as their focal point for CSR activities. If more businesses come together to aid the government, the poor water sanitation situation can be tackled sooner rather than later. References: http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/ResponsibleFuture/hul-to-create-water-potential-of-500-billion-litres-by-2020-2/ http://www.unicef.org.uk/Media-centre/Press-releases/Unicef-500-children-die-every-day-from-lack-of-safe-water-sanitation-in-sub-Saharan-Africa-/ http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/06/business-case-corporate-investments-water-hygiene/ http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/ResponsibleFuture/tackling-the-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash-challenge-via-csr/ http://pmindia.gov.in/en/government_tr_rec/swachh-bharat-abhiyan-2/ http://unicef.in/Story/1125/Water–Environment-and-Sanitation http://www.lifebuoy.com/socialmission/help-childreach5/helpchild https://swachhbharat.mygov.in/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsnP_6kdtDY&feature=youtu.be Image References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stunted_growth
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People And Planet – 2 Ps To Build Your Brand On

Every organisation strives to create a business strategy that enables their offering to stand out from the competition. One compelling approach to building a great brand image is investing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR has been around in India for a while and has been implemented both by small businesses and big companies like Tata and Mittal Steel to achieve sustainable growth while also giving back to society. There has been even more good news for CSR in recent times; the Companies Act of 2013 has made it compulsory for corporate establishments beyond a certain profit-threshold to invest 2% of their profits into CSR efforts. It has moved beyond simply being an enforced obligation. Businesses actively use it to build a loyal consumer base by improving public image and brand perception. How exactly, then, do you use CSR for the benefit of your business? 1.Carving Out A Niche 75% of the population donates towards one cause or another, and so identify with brands that are affiliated with the doctrine of giving. Tap into this by creating a niche for your organisation. Aligning your company with a social cause that plays to its strengths will go a long way towards helping the planet while improving how the brand is perceived. Since its establishment, Tata has worked for the benefit of its employees, their families, and the environment. By creating a healthy work environment, Tata has developed a devoted workforce, which enables it to contribute to the society it functions in. For this brand, giving back is a time-honoured tradition. tata csr The result – a brand that is embedded in the hearts and minds of people as well as entrenched in India’s economic landscape. 2. Slow And Steady For Reliance Industries Limited, sustainability is the key to their growth in the market. Over the years, this company has grown from a textile manufacturer to a versatile conglomerate. reliance csr CSR has played a key role in its expansion. RIL has associated itself with NGOS, corporates, and trusts to promote sustainability. This has helped it turn into a brand that dominates not only the textile market but also other verticals like energy, petrochemicals, telecommunications, natural resources, and retail. A lot of the credit goes to RIL’s impact on society, with its healthy attitude towards nurturing the environment. 3.Loop People In On Your CSR Activity For an organisation to fully benefit from its CSR program, it is essential that its efforts are noticed by consumers. This image of a business that has the best interests of people and the planet at heart is one that is carefully cultivated over time through consistent action. For example, Procter & Gamble contribute INR 1 from every product they sell towards the education of unprivileged children. Since customers are made aware of this, they are enthusiastic about being involved in giving back in this manner. p&g csr By identifying with the brand and its CSR activities, consumers contribute towards its success in the market. Being a philanthropist is great, but being a well-known philanthropist puts you in the good books of prospective clientele. The bottom line is that CSR, when carried out strategically, casts a favourable light on your brand image. References: http://www.stephenzoeller.com/corporate-social-responsibility-and-brand/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/csr/2012/02/21/six-reasons-companies-should-embrace-csr/#3e0939294c03 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-corporate-social-resp_b_9282246.html?section=india http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-03-31/news/48735569_1_csr-work-csr-projects-new-companies-act http://www.triplepundit.com/2013/03/brand-reputation-management/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliance_Industries http://listz.in/top-10-textile-companies-in-india.html http://www.ril.com/OurCompany/CSR.aspx Image References: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagefindings/9548058833/
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4 Tips For Planning And Executing An Effective CSR Strategy

Corporate Social Responsibility has moved past being a mere obligation for most companies. With the increased integration of social media and Internet into our everyday lives, the actions of big multinationals have never been more closely scrutinised. This gives businesses additional incentive to be as creative and impactful with their CSR strategies as possible. The moral commitment to creating a better future for Earth and its citizens drives companies to come up with CSR strategies that create an actual impact. Looking for tips to create CSR strategies that not only elevate your social standing, but also alleviate society’s problems? Here are 4 that will enable you to improve your CSR game. 1.A Little Planning Goes A Long Way Unfortunately, the world today is plagued with a multitude of problems that seem to be growing in both number and seriousness over time. So, before setting out to do some good, you need to take a step back and indulge in extensive planning and research. csr areas The first step to this end would be identifying a cause or issue that resonates with the core values of your company. For instance, a business specializing in food supply should target the food scarcity faced by some parts of the world. Once you know which issue you want to focus on, create a comprehensive strategy that puts your available resources to the best possible use. This is also the part where you set a budget for your CSR activities. 2.Work With The Best After establishing your CSR objectives and plan, find advisers who specialize in the particular field you’re targeting. With their expertise and guidance, you’ll find it easier to implement your plans and strategies on a larger scale. Partner with NGOs and other not-for-profit organisations to take your CSR efforts to the next level. 3.Continued Focus Is Key corporate conscience csr Starting something and dropping it midway due to lack of interest and slow progress isn’t an advisable strategy for obvious reasons. The same applies to your CSR initiatives. Once you invest considerable effort and resources into a particular plan, stick with it and see it through. All you need is a little motivation and perseverance to make a substantial impact in the lives of the people you’re targeting. 4. Create A Synergy Between Work And Philanthropy While completely different things on their own, the company’s goals and their CSR efforts need to come together to work successfully. Businesses should ideally have a separate department focusing on CSR, but this doesn’t mean that regular employees should be left out of the fun. Make an effort to actively engage your employees and you’ll find that it’s much easier to make the world a better place. Follow these 4 tips and you’ll be well on your way towards a thriving CSR initiative. References: http://www.forbes.com/sites/csr/2011/04/26/the-five-elements-of-the-best-csr-programs/ http://www.csrwire.com/pdf/JustGoodBusinessCSRwireExcerpt.pdf Image References: http://www.bajajauto.com/our_csr_areas.asp http://www.assignmenthelpsite.com/corporate-social-responsibility/
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All You Need to Know About LFA (Log Frame Analysis)

The ‘third party sector’, as it is commonly known, has evolved and found itself a stronger foothold in the society today. Over the years, NPOs have taken over important roles and been instrumental in forming a distinctive sector within civil society. They are engaged in almost all sectors of social life such as relief, rehabilitation, health, education, peace, human rights, environmental issues, etc. With the increase in the number of Non Profits in India, the competition is bound to be intense. Gone are the days when the approach of the NPOs was a relaxed one – in stark contrast to the meticulousness of the business houses. In the recent past, significant change has been witnessed throughout sectors thanks to India being one of the global players. The stress is on the third party as well- to evolve from the old methods of practice and find newer innovative approaches within the system. One of those constant asks has been to ensure the implementation of a sound monitoring & evaluation approach that will act as a guide to appraise a project at regular intervals. If all the NPOs adopt one such technique, the predicted outcome will be much closer to the final one. If not reflected correctly on paper, the substantial work carried forth by the NPOs impairs them instead of being of benefit. It prevents them from monetizing their effort for future projects, having accurate data pertaining to their previous work or sharing knowledge with other organizations in similar fields. Implementing a mechanism for M&E will reduce the complexity of a project management cycle. Though many NPOs tailor their own approaches, we can also consider a tool that has been widely and successfully used across countries for years now. ‘Logical Framework Approach’, a tool developed by US Agency of International Development (USAID) in the late 1960s, was designed to improve project planning & the evaluation system and also to address some of the following concerns: To reduce the vagueness of planning by defining a quantifiable objective to help monitor & evaluate the success of the project To have a clear definition of what needs to be achieved after the project completion How can LFA be useful? It is very crucial that the desired future situation is described in such a way that it helps to evaluate the project at regular intervals to ensure the success rate in relation to its objectives and the target groups. Therefore, Logical Framework Approach (LFA) can be termed as an aid to critical thinking because it helps produce a blueprint of the project as desired and states clearly the following: Structured project design: LFA provides a logical sequence, interlinking the individual steps in the design process. Objectively verifiable indicators: Indicators describe objectives in measurable “empirically observable” terms and provide the basis for performance measurement and project monitoring and evaluation. Transparency: It clearly states the reason for implementation of a certain project. Moreover, it answers questions like- what is the project expected to achieve and how. Risks: The LFA provides tools to clearly link causes and effects. It also assesses risk factors that are involved to ensure the success of the project. Flexibility: LFA can be edited and adapted to the changing conditions in relevance to the project. What it entails? Vardaan Log Frame Analysis LFA Though this is a matrix that helps to systemize a program, it is important to define and describe the program & activities in length before incorporating a logframe. This in turn will help to clearly fill the required rows & columns with higher efficiency. Moreover, one of the important features is that the tool is flexible as per the project needs. Therefore, logical framework is a way of thinking about development projects that enable us to summarize a project with the key components in a single page thereby establishing a methodical tool for M&E.
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Where Philanthropy In India Stands Today

Philanthropy is nothing new in India; in fact, you could say that it’s been deeply ingrained in Indian culture since ancient times. Once upon a time in Kerala, the last question that every feudal landlord would ask before closing the main gate was, “Is there anyone left without supper?”. Although such incidents are quite uncommon in our present times, there are still many who constantly strive to give back to society.

Philanthropy – india

According to the India Giving Report published in November, 2012, as many as 836 million Indians—nearly 84% of the population—donate to charitable causes at least once a year. The same report found that philanthropy in India had the potential to soar in the next few decades. The 2013 CSR mandate has increased corporate contribution in the arena of social development, and today, a truly astonishing number of Indian companies are actively engaged in promoting causes. In light of all these facts, you might be keen to know more about the present state of Indian philanthropy. Let’s dig right in.

Young Entrepreneurs Slowly Take Centre Stage

In India, corporate philanthropy has traditionally been the forte of super-rich business families. The Tatas, for instance, established the JN Tata Endowment Scheme in 1892, which even today remains the foundation for the family’s philanthropic activities. But in recent years, an increasing number of entrepreneurs have taken up the reins and are today steadily promoting a variety of social causes. Naveen Tewari, the founder of InMobi, had a brilliant plan about 10 years ago; with the help of 100 alumni from his alma mater, the Harvard Business School, he raised about ₹32 lakhs in funding for a village near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. A decade later, the village now has 3 schools, electricity and improved accessibility. Another formidable example is Atul Satija, a colleague of Mr. Tiwari who quit InMobi to launch a nonprofit organisation called Nudge Foundation. He set up this organisation by using ₹1.27 crore of his own money because he passionately believed in a cause. Nudge Foundation works with unprivileged Indians to helps them find employment. Mr. Satija intends to nudge people out of the cycle of unemployment by imparting useful life skills that can get them jobs.

High-Profile Philanthropists Try To Bridge The Economic Gap

The 2014 CSFB Global Wealth Databook states that 10% of Indians control nearly 75% of the country’s economy. In the midst of this staggering economic disparity, a few wealthy individuals have made incredibly large contributions that have raised eyebrows all over the world. Azim Premji, the Wipro Chairman, was recently listed as the ‘most charitable man in India’ by the Hurun Research Institute for the second year in a row. This stalwart has taken a giant leap of faith by transferring 12.5% of his holding in Wipro—worth $2.2 billion—to his nonprofit, the Azim Premji Foundation. This organisation is dedicated towards raising the quality and equity of education in India. Amit Chandra, the Managing Director of Bain Capital, understands the importance of tackling capacity challenges in the nonprofit sector. Today, all his donations are designated for this particular cause. He recently developed an array of viability support strategies for a skills-training centre that he’d sponsored. Anand Mahindra of the Mahindra Group also believes that poverty can’t be solved by simply giving away money; that’s why his philanthropic capital is set aside exclusively to help social enterprises scale up. Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata group, is known for his philanthropic efforts. His approach is go straight to the root cause of India’s development issues. The Tatas have a number of nonprofit trusts that are constantly engaged in social welfare programs.

Increased Foreign Contribution

 Philanthropy – Sharing good But it’s not just Indians who are proactively involved in national social reform. Many foreign organisations have made their contribution as well, chief amongst them being the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This organisation began its work more than a decade ago in India with an initiative to battle the spread of HIV. Since then, the Gates Foundation has expanded its scope to deal with maternal and child health, sanitation and agricultural development. Other foreign business powerhouses like HP have created innovative CSR programs such as the one that promotes e-learning solutions in rural India. Corporate philanthropy in India has improved by leaps and bounds after the CSR Act in 2013. Even small to medium-sized companies are making their collective efforts to bring about effective change. Although there’s a lot left to be done, India today stands as a shining example to the rest of the world when it comes to philanthropy. References:
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CSR And Sustainability: Splitting Hairs

People tend to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability interchangeably when talking about business. While there is some overlap between the two, there are differences as well. The overlap becomes apparent when you consider that many people talk about sustainability under the purview of CSR. CSR refers to an organisation’s choice to function ethically and make business choices that have a measurable impact on the lives of people and on the planet. A sustainable business, on the other hand, is one that is aimed at preserving resources and prioritising the company’s long-term plans.

Sustainability: In Perspective

Sustainability, as per the Brundtland Report, published in 1987 by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, is ”development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” A sustainable approach not only has an impact on an organisation’s future, it also influences the company’s suppliers, its customers, and the world’s resources at large.

CSR and Sustainability

Sustainability influences the whole value chain that the company is involved in and chalks out a plan for the future by assessing and defining factors like waste generation and recycling, supply chain health, consolidating existing markets, and sustainably expanding into new markets. Unsustainable business practices lead to a weaker economy and have, in the past, resulted in the loss of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of people. In the long run, it doesn’t work for anyone involved and entire companies have simply fallen apart because of an unsustainable approach to business.

The CSR Theory

CSR is usually driven by an organisation’s push to improve their brand image in certain markets. It is also required by law in India when a company’s net worth touches INR 500 crore, it generates a turnover of INR 1000 crore, or accrues a net profit of INR 5 Crore. So, compliance is a huge driving force behind CSR initiatives. While CSR policies differ for each country. They primarily touch upon human rights, corporate governance, working conditions, health and safety, and contribution to economic development. CSR – Economic Development If CSR isn’t undertaken with a sufficiently robust long-term plan in place, it could turn into a liability for the company. Here’s an example. An oil-extraction organisation might provide necessities like schools and hospitals in return for a community’s resources. But these facilities require long-term investments and this might not be feasible for the company to provide. In this way, a plan to uphold the interests of exploited communities can quickly become unsustainable and turn into a liability. Balancing the demands of competing stakeholders is important for CSR programs, but these demands sometimes require utilising capital and resources that should instead be set aside for the future. Unless organisations factor in sustainability when defining the scope of their CSR activities, it could cause more problems than it solves. So, CSR can be viewed as a method to drive corporations towards transforming their practices and embracing sustainable development. Starbucks is a good example of sustainable CSR. The company supplements its coffee resources by assessing the social, environmental, and economic aspects of coffee production. Sustainability aims to make an organisation greener and more energy efficient while also looking out for the company’s long term trading interests. It’s a commitment towards the preservation of the environment and its resources. Organisations that incorporate the best of both CSR and sustainability into their practices stand to benefit from the perks of both, securing their future prospects while also improving brand image. References: Image References:
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Swachh Bharat, Corporate Social Responsibility, And Indian Businesses

If you live in India, you’ve no doubt heard of the brainchild of PM Narendra Modi’s government, the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ (English: Clean India Mission). Similarly, pretty much everyone in the corporate world has heard of CSR. With the advent of Swachh Bharat and related legislation, corporate establishments in India have embraced the concept of active social responsibility. Let’s take a closer look at Swachh Bharat and CSR in India. What You Should Know About Corporate Social Responsibility CSR is a corporate initiative by which companies assess and take responsibility for their impact on things like the environment and social welfare. It’s more than simple charity, and involves a shift in the company’s operations towards the objectives of social, environmental, and economic improvement. This policy works as a corporate conscience, where self-regulation is incorporated into the business model itself. CSR helps corporate institutions function within the spirit of the law, ethical standards, and international norms.

How CSR Is Connected To Swachh Bharat

The 2015 budget announced a 100% tax exemption for companies donating to the Swachh Bharat Kosh or getting involved in the Clean Ganga campaign. Based on the new Companies Act of 2014, companies with a net profit of INR 5 crore, a turnover of INR 1000 crore, or a net worth of INR 500 crore must invest at least 2% of profits in Corporate Social Responsibility schemes.

Swachh bharat

With the onus on them, corporate institutions have been responding by taking steps to improve conditions in areas like livelihood enhancement, rural development, setting up public libraries, development of traditional arts and crafts, and protection of national heritage. Response To The Swachh Bharat Call-To-Action Various top businesses have risen to the occasion and taken up their own corporate responsibility initiatives. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) set aside INR 100 crore in 2015 to build a total of 10,000 school toilets for girls as part of the Swachh Vidyalaya Scheme (a part of the Swachh Bharat scheme). This was in response to Narendra Modi’s request on Independence Day, when he said, “I call upon the corporate sector to give priority to the provision of toilets in schools with your expenditure under corporate social responsibility.” Some other companies take up the awareness cause, as a lack of awareness is the major reason 60% of the sizeable Indian population still defecate in the open. The Adani Foundation, the non-profit wing of the Adani group, spreads awareness about the importance of toilets in villages. The company had also spent over INR 15 crore to supply materials for 4000 toilets in the 8 years leading up to 2015. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was the highest spender on CSR in 2015, with a whopping INR 760.5 crore spent on CSR activities. This was INR 454 crore above the mandated 2%. Most of this was spent on building hospitals like the Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and the Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Coal India, TCS, and Infosys were among the other major CSR spenders in the nation. Most companies tend to invest in CSR activity around their area of operation, and states with a sizeable corporate presence such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh were the biggest beneficiaries. Some companies, like Axis Bank, chose to spread their CSR budget across the country. This spate of activity in the inaugural year of the Swachh Bharat-CSR relationship have shown that corporate India can do a lot to develop cleanliness, education, and other social standards across the nation. Image References: https://flic.kr/p/sdB1vf