MUMBAI (India CSR): Ambuja Foundation, an independent, pan-India social development organization dedicated to transforming rural communities unveiled its Annual Report 2023-24- ‘The Tipping Point’ highlighting the significant progress achieved over the past year in addressing key social challenges and advancing sustainable development. The report showcases the organization’s commitment to fostering positive change through a comprehensive approach that includes community engagement, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships.
Impact Overview
The Annual Report 2023-24 of Ambuja Foundation reveals that the foundation successfully impacted the lives of over 4.5 million individuals across 4267 villages in 13 states, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to social progress in the last financial year. Spread over many states like Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, the foundation executes programs in several key areas, including water management, livelihood enhancement in rural areas, women’s empowerment, education, and sustainable development.
Collaboration and Financials
During 2023-24, the Ambuja Foundation collaborated with a diverse range of partners to effectively implement on-ground programs and drive lasting change in rural communities. With an extensive network across 61 districts in 13 states, the Foundation has considerable experience in strategizing, managing, and executing rural development projects in collaboration with governments, corporations, non-profits, philanthropists, and local communities. The foundation spent Rs 247.59 crore funded by Government, corporate, communities, and philanthropists during the financial year 2023-24.
CEO’s Perspective
Putting light on the work done by Ambuja Foundation in 2023-24, Pearl Tiwari, CEO, of Ambuja Foundation said, “Ambuja Foundation is undergoing a remarkable ‘tipping point’ – expanding, deepening, catalyzing and ‘spreading like wildfire.’ And this is proven by seeing the progress made by the foundation in the last financial year. Documenting the milestones in the form of the Annual Report, it gives us a great moment of satisfaction. The report is a testament to the collective efforts of our dedicated team, partners, and supporters who share our vision of a more equitable and sustainable world. As we move forward, we remain committed to driving positive change and making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.”
Development Challenges
The foundation tackles some of India’s most critical development challenges, focusing on water resource management, livelihood promotion, social development, women’s empowerment, and infrastructure development. With its Efficient Water Management Program, Ambuja Foundation adopted integrated approaches to address the challenges of rainfed agriculture such as soil moisture conservation and water harvesting and recharge structures. During 2023-24, 1405 hectares of land were brought under integrated watershed development. This effort included constructing or reviving 912 farm ponds, as well as 224 ponds and 104 check dams, resulting in an additional rainwater storage capacity of 3.43 million cubic meters (MCM).
Irrigation and Agriculture
With its efficient irrigation method program, 65,000 farmers were reached with awareness sessions, 3745 hectares were brought under micro irrigation, and 271000 farmers were reached via different agriculture programs, with 13% participation by women.
Skill Development and Women Empowerment
Under the skill development program, Ambuja Foundation successfully enrolled 15774 youth across accredited courses in 2023-24 with 36 Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (SEDIs), and over 204 trainees have successfully ventured into entrepreneurship of which 22% were women. In 2023-24 Ambuja Foundation took its women-centric programs to the next level and registered an additional 299 SHGs making a total of 3252 SHGs with the involvement of 37,920 women.
