In a bid to facilitate Corporates to connect state officials regarding their Corporate Social Responsibility Project (CSR), Karnataka government has launched a new platform ‘Akansha’ which stands for ‘an integrated platform for SDG and CSR alignment’.
On Wednesday, state Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa launched the online comprehensive portal and claimed that it will help corporates to connect with concerned officials in his government and also with implementing partners.
In a statement, the state government said, “To achieve sustainable and holistic development of the State of Karnataka, the Department of Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics, Government of Karnataka and UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC) has created a unique CSR matchmaking Platform: “AKANKSHA” to support and facilitate collaborations with Public Private Partnerships / CSR Organisations / Foundations/ NGOs/ Multilaterals / Line Departments of the Government.”
On the occasion, the chief minister Yediyurappa appreciated the cooperation from corporates, NGOs and individuals in the fight against the pandemic.
He said that his government has received Rs 175 crore under CSR funds for the health sector.
He also claimed that this is the first of its kind portal in the country which will work as a bridge between government and corporates willing to spend their CSR money on Sustainable Development Goals.
The Karnataka government was supported by United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) in creating the portal. This will also help in implementing UN-mandated sustainable development goals, said the chief minister.
The portal claims to facilitate CSR stakeholders for smooth project implementation and also hassle-free departmental approvals and simple MoU signing process. It will also create a live dashboard to review the project progress and KPIs. It also claims to recognise CSR stakeholders and scale-up the best CSR projects.
For citizens also, the platform has something to offer. They can view ongoing projects in the state. It will offer them the opportunity to extend volunteering support for the stakeholders.
NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said the portal will help uniform development of all parts of the state. Kant and UNDP representatives participated in the programme in virtual mode.
