Under the leadership of Ketan Deshyande, FUEL focuses on first-generation learners and economically disadvantaged youth.
PUNE (India CSR): A young girl in a rural government school is learning coding for the first time. A first-generation college student securing a job in the technology sector. A village youth is discovering entrepreneurship opportunities beyond traditional employment. These stories represent the kind of transformation that Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) has been driving for nearly two decades.
Now, with its listing on the National Stock Exchange of India’s Social Stock Exchange (SSE), the organisation is preparing to scale these life-changing opportunities for millions of government school students, rural youth, and women across India. The milestone marks a new chapter for FUEL, enabling the not-for-profit organisation to mobilise transparent, impact-driven funding that will expand its reach in education, skills development, and employment pathways.
Expanding Opportunities for Underserved Youth
FUEL has focused its work on one of India’s most critical development challenges — the gap between education and employability. Across many government schools and rural communities, talented students often lack access to career guidance, modern skills, and industry exposure. With the SSE listing, FUEL aims to scale these initiatives significantly, particularly in underserved regions where opportunities remain limited.
Through its programmes, FUEL is working to bridge this gap.
The organisation provides:
- STEM education exposure for school students
- Future-ready skills such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and digital literacy
- Soft skills and leadership development
- Entrepreneurship guidance for youth and women
- Workforce integration and job placement support
Transforming First-Generation Learners
Many of the beneficiaries of FUEL’s programmes are first-generation learners — students whose families have never experienced higher education. For them, career counselling and scholarships can be life-changing. These programmes have enabled thousands of young people to transition from education to employment, breaking cycles of poverty and limited opportunity.
Since its inception, FUEL has:
- Impacted over 9 lakh students through career counselling
- Trained more than 2.9 lakh youth in future-ready skills
- Awarded over 2,900 scholarships
- Mobilised over USD 24 million for social impact initiatives
A New Model: Industry–Academia Co-Working Ecosystem
Beyond training programmes, FUEL is also building a unique industry–academia collaboration model. The organisation is developing a SkillTech & Entrepreneurship University, where industry partners actively participate in shaping the education ecosystem. A notable example is the School of Science, adopted by Dr. Yusuf Hamied, Chairman of Cipla, strengthening FUEL’s focus on scientific research, innovation, and real-world application.
Under this model:
- Corporates adopt individual schools within the university ecosystem
- Industry experts contribute to curriculum design and innovation labs
- Students receive mentorship, internships, and industry exposure
- Learning remains closely aligned with real-world workforce needs
Five schools are currently being developed under this model with support from leading industry partners.
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
Dr. Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of FUEL, believes that education must evolve alongside technological and economic changes. “FUEL has trained more than 2.9 lakh young people in future-ready skills and awarded over 2,900 scholarships, consistently delivering strong employment outcomes,” he said.
He added that the SSE listing will help strengthen transparency and long-term impact. “The Social Stock Exchange listing strengthens our commitment to transparency, governance, and measurable impact. It enables citizens, corporates, and institutions to participate in nation-building through structured education funding.”
Dr. Deshpande also invited industry leaders to contribute to this evolving ecosystem. “We are building a unique industry–academia co-working model where corporates adopt and nurture schools within the university ecosystem. I invite visionary industry leaders to partner with FUEL — not just to support a cause, but to create a lasting legacy in education, innovation, and nation-building for future generations.”
Supporting Youth Through Social Investment
By enabling structured social investment, the SSE platform allows individuals, institutions, and corporates to directly contribute to measurable social outcomes.
Funds mobilised through the Social Stock Exchange will support a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Scholarships for economically disadvantaged students
- Digital and life skills training
- Career counselling programmes
- Workforce integration support
- Entrepreneurship mentoring for youth and women
The Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL)
Founded in 2007 by Dr. Ketan Deshpande, Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) is a national not-for-profit organisation focused on empowering underserved youth through education, career guidance, skill development, and entrepreneurship support. The organisation works with 78+ corporates, foundations, government bodies, and academic institutions.
FUEL is also supported by the Government of Maharashtra in its vision to establish India’s first SkillTech & Entrepreneurship University, aimed at building an industry-aligned and future-ready workforce. Through its initiatives, FUEL continues to create a transparent, scalable, and impact-driven education ecosystem that enables young Indians to realise their potential and contribute to national development.
(India CSR)
