JSW Foundation, the social development arm of the US$ 13 billion JSW Group, is the first CSR Foundation in India to receive the ISO 26000:2010 assurance. It validates the JSW Foundation’s application of the globally recognised ISO 26000 standards to integrate social responsibility governance in its efforts to deliver larger public good.
Over the years, JSW Foundation has strengthened its capacities by collaborating with the government, like-minded corporates, and other social development partners, the foundation said.
According to the assurance statement issued by TÜV Rheinland, an accredited auditing and certification body, JSW Foundation is contributing towards the achievement of UN SDGs by adhering to the seven principles of ISO 26000:2010. These principles include accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, the rule of law, international norms of behavior, and human rights.
The ISO 26000 guidelines have helped JSW Foundation to translate these principles into effective actions while strengthening its long-term CSR vision.
Commenting on the ISO assurance, Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation, said, “JSW has been working towards holistic development of the communities that reside around our plants & facilities even before the CSR mandate was introduced. We have been committed to nurturing a better future for all the members of these communities. The ISO 26000 assurance is an attestation for us to keep the same rigor intact going forward. The passion with which we work is reflected in our transparent processes.”
Ashwini Saxena, CEO, JSW Foundation said, “Society and environment have a significant influence on business operations in the 21st century. The business decision to redefine its role in society, manage expectations that span local networks and global practices are shaping the way organizations need to work. The ISO 26000 assurance validates the progress we have made so far while reaffirming our commitment to the path we’ve chosen. We travel on this path with the hope of giving a better future to our communities.”
JSW Foundation is the social development arm of the US$ 13 billion JSW Group, one of India’s leading business houses. It has a long track record and a rich legacy of empowering rural communities to enrich their lives for the last three decades.
The Foundation’s focus areas are Education, Health & Nutrition, Skill Development, Rural BPO, Environment & Water, Sports, and Art & Heritage. Through a strong field presence, it operates across 22 rural locations in 11 Indian States with priority on communities around JSW’s plant & port locations.
JSW Foundation also reaches out to communities beyond these locations to contribute to India’s social development in a meaningful way. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Foundation supported various communities & families by providing food and healthcare facilities across all these locations. JSW Foundation’s holistic life-cycle-based interventions have positively impacted more than a million underprivileged people across India.
It operates two multi-specialty hospitals in Karnataka & Maharashtra with an outpatient potential of 100,000 annually. Its educational interventions have positively impacted more than 130,000 under-privileged children in rural locations while its Agriculture, Women SHG & Rural BPO initiatives have created new livelihood sources for more than 16,000 farmers and 10,000 rural women.
The Foundation has provided access to sanitation by constructing more than 7500 community toilets in rural villages. It has also helped more than 200,000 needy individuals access Government welfare schemes. JSW Foundation’s work in Art & Heritage is focussed on restoring India’s monuments such as Chandramauleshwar Temple in Hampi, Kenneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue in Mumbai among others. These restorations have been recognized globally and won prestigious international awards.
