In India, where community development is often intertwined with challenges and opportunities, collaborations between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporate entities have emerged as a potent force for positive change in society. These partnerships, driven by shared goals of social responsibility significantly contribute to fostering inclusive socio-economic growth.
In fact, studies indicate that 97% of businesses and 92% of NGOs find collaborations helpful in enhancing their understanding of social issues. Some of the primary advantages include resource sharing and network expansion.
Resource Sharing and Knowledge Transfer
NGOs with their deep-rooted knowledge of local needs and steadfast dedication to social welfare, serve as catalysts in identifying and ideating community-centric initiatives. Their grassroots presence helps them to address the needs of marginalized populations in the various pockets across the country.
Conversely, corporates bring a wealth of resources that can help in the seamless execution of community development projects. They possess access to cutting-edge technology , global best practices , which can be leveraged to enhance program efficiency. Corporate bodies also have expansive networks that include stakeholders such as policymakers, industry partners, and other enterprises.
Through collaboration, NGOs and corporations can merge their networks, creating synergies that amplify the reach and increase impact of their efforts. HCCB’s collaboration with Y4D Foundation to empower 25,000 women in financial and digital literacy, 25000 youth in sales & marketing as well as community initiatives impacting over 7,00,000 beneficiaries across India is an example of a successful NGO-corporate alliance.
Businesses and Corporate Social Responsibility
Since the inception of the Companies Act, 2013 in India, companies covered under section 135 need to spend at least 2% of their net profit over the previous three years on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. CSR is a crucial aspect of modern business models, which encourages organizations to make lasting positive changes in the communities they operate through concerted efforts.
As businesses grow, it is also imperative for them to serve the communities they operate in and become agents of meaningful change. This should supersede mandated policies and become a part of the company’s DNA. In addition to contributing to socio-economic development and environmental sustainability, these initiatives also aid in building socially responsible organisation. New-age customers are more likely to prefer a brand that is socially inclusive and environmentally friendly in its practices.
Furthermore, a well-crafted CSR policy has a positive impact on employee engagement and retention. Industry reports indicate that nearly 70% of employees say they would not work for a company without a strong purpose. Thus, socially engaged companies distinguish themselves from competitors by fostering goodwill in the community and establishing themselves as a responsible corporate citizen as well as an aspirational employer.
Overcoming bottlenecks
While we have dived into the benefits of corporate-NGO partnerships, there could be some bottlenecks along the way. NGOs and corporate entities frequently operate with differing guiding principles and objectives, which can often pose a challenge. There can also be concerns about the sustainability of partnerships, especially if NGOs are heavily dependent on corporate support. Ensuring long-term viability and maintaining the integrity of the initiative, hence become paramount. These alliances also require transparent communication and objective, mutually agreed-upon metrics for success – this will help both parties to align better.
Way Forward
If done right, NGOs can effectively influence sustainable business practices and invite more corporates to focus on executing the commitment to the community . By recognizing the complementary strengths of each party and embracing a shared vision of social responsibility, both corporates and NGOs can work together to bring in lasting positive change , which is also in line with the government’s priorities.
About the Author
Himanshu Priyadarshi – Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer, HCCB.
