MUMBAI: State Bank of India recently launched its integrated CSR initiative SBI GRAM SEVA. SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya launched this initiative under SBI Foundation that aims to reach to maximum of 100 Gram Panchayats covering approximately 500 villages across India by 2021.
SBI Foundation will promote the strategy, SBI-GRAM SEVA by identifying and partnering with the NGOs/NPOs to carry out the CSR of State Bank of India rather than working on different concepts/projects from multiple NGOs. In this approach, SBI Foundation sets its objectives of adopting and developing villages through Gram Panchayat across India and implement every CSR activity in full force along with Bank’s other services centered on holistic development.
The main areas of intervention under SBI GRAM SEVA are Health, Education, Environment, Women Empowerment, Livelihood, Skill Development, and developing the Infrastructure. The strategy of SBI towards integrated community development interventions will be centered on digitalization of Village through various types of activities and programmes.
This strategy aims at SBI Foundation having a focused implementation model and objectives against set targets and goals. SBI Foundation already has flagship programs under it viz. SBI Youth for India Fellowship, Center of Excellence. We propose to implement SBI Gram Seva as one more flagship project under SBI Foundation. SBI Gram Seva project is expected to achieve the basic goals in three years of intervention viz;
- To link the specific government schemes/services to each of the activity and to individuals.
- To lay emphasis on digital concept and create awareness about daily usage of online banking services and government schemes and to get other information online.
- Developing the village through holistic intervention for improvement of infrastructure and basic facilities therein.
- To involve the Panchayat Village Self Government in development programmes, and to create environment for participatory efforts by encouraging rural asset creation, community development so that the project achieves the motto of self-sustenance.
SBI Foundation has strategically worked on identifying various projects and has partnered with multiple NGOs and NPOs for undertaking the CSR projects/programs. Now, SBI Foundation intends to move forward to the next phase through strategic development and accordingly, sets out a CSR strategic plan for State Bank of India to carry out the implementation of CSR activities through integrated approach.
SBI-GRAM SEVA mission is to develop the macro and micro needs of the community and engage the Gram Panchayat and villagers’ participation to make this project self-sustainable.
