Categories
CSR Livelihood Partnerships Skill Development

CSR for Livelihood: Power India’s Quick Commerce Workforce

IN THIS ESSAY:

  1. India’s post-globalisation economic growth has created new livelihood opportunities across digital commerce, logistics and retail sectors.
  2. The rapid rise of quick commerce is transforming India’s employment landscape, especially across tier II and tier III cities.
  3. Expanding warehousing, logistics and delivery ecosystems are increasing demand for skilled youth workforce participation.
  4. Millions of rural and underserved youth still face barriers such as weak digital literacy, limited vocational training and lack of organised employment exposure.
  5. CSR-led youth livelihood programmes can bridge the employability gap by aligning skill development with emerging industry demands.
  6. Smile Foundation’s STeP programme equips underserved youth with vocational, digital and workplace readiness skills for sustainable employment.
  7. Industry-aligned training in retail operations, supply chain management, customer relations and digital services can prepare youth for quick commerce careers.
  8. Collaborative CSR partnerships can help transform India’s economic expansion into inclusive and sustainable youth livelihood growth.

India’s economic expansion has gone through profound changes. India before and after globalisation tells two different stories. The 1991 Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG) reforms opened India to global markets, investment and new industries transforming the country from a restricted economy into one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Over the decades, this growth has expanded technology, manufacturing, retail and digital services, creating new livelihood opportunities for India’s youth, especially from marginalised communities. 

However, India still has a long way to go and in this evolving economic landscape, CSR partnerships and youth livelihood programmes must continue investing in youth from underserved communities preparing them for new-age livelihood opportunities across logistics, digital operations and delivery ecosystem because India’s youth have the potential to become the driving force behind the country’s future growth. 

But they need sustained support, access to livelihood opportunities and the right skill development ecosystem that enables them to realise their potential and build a future with dignity and stability.

Quick Commerce Can Create Livelihood for India’s Youth

India’s quick commerce ecosystem is rapidly transforming the country’s economic and employment landscape. With major players like Amazon, Flipkart and Blinkit expanding into tier II and tier III cities, the sector is creating new livelihood opportunities for the youth of India. 

Recently, a giant e-commerce platform has announced the expansion of its rapid delivery services across 100 cities reflecting the growing demands for hyperlocal delivery and digital retail infrastructure. Furthermore, India’s quick commerce market has projected US$ 65–70 billion valuation by 2030, which means the sector that can see a rise in the demand are: 

  • warehousing
  • logistics
  • retail operations 
  • delivery services

Thus, creating strong opportunities for CSR initiatives for youth livelihood programmes, to equip underserved youth with employability, digital and vocational skills aligned to emerging industries. 

India’s economic transformation over the last three decades has reshaped the country into one of the world’s fastest growing digital and consumer economies. From a nation once navigating economic uncertainty in the early 1990s, today India is driving global conversations around technology, digital commerce, manufacturing and last mile delivery innovation. 

The rapid expansion of quick commerce platforms across metropolitan cities along with tier II and tier III cities reflects the changing economic landscape and signals the new era of livelihood opportunities for the youth of India.

  • E-commerce, 
  • Quick commerce
  • Logistics
  • Digital services 

reflecting a globally connected economy creating :  

New business opportunities → employment avenues→ entrepreneurial ecosystems across metropolitan and emerging cities of India. 

Rural Youth Employment in India: Ground Reality

India has the largest youth population in the world with nearly 65% of its population below the age of 35. By 2036, the country is projected to have almost 345 million youth, making India’s demographic strength one of its greatest economic advantages. 

However, for many young people from the rural, tribal and socio-economically challenged communities, access to dignified employment continues to remain difficult. While industries are expanding rapidly, structural and educational barriers continue to prevent millions of youth from accessing sustainable livelihood opportunities.

According to the Youth in India 2022 report:

  1. Rural youth participation in informal labour and agriculture remained significantly higher than urban youth. 
  1. With the agriculture field employing the largest share of the rural workforce. 
  1. Nearly 25% of Indian youth aged between 15 and 29 were not in employment, education or training (NEET),– highlighting that 1 in 4 young people were neither studying nor earning, increasing long-term economic vulnerability.

Quick Commerce As Livelihood Engine for India’s Youth

The rise of quick commerce is no longer only transforming consumer behaviour and logistics infrastructure, but is also opening new livelihood opportunities for India’s youth.

From warehousing and inventory management to customer support, delivery operations and digital commerce coordination, the sector is creating employment pathways that can help underserved communities move towards financial independence, stability and dignity.

However, meaningful and long-term impact cannot be achieved through industry expansion alone. It requires collective efforts where businesses, CSR partnerships and youth livelihood programmes work together to bridge the gap between opportunity and employability, ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills, exposure and confidence needed to participate in India’s evolving economy

Smile Foundation’s STeP is equipping youth of marginalised communities to create a sustainable future through :

  • Industry-aligned vocational training, 
  • Professional skills 
  • Workplace readiness 

STeP: Support Youth with Quick Commerce Skills 

As India’s digital economy continues to grow, many youth of tribal communities and rural areas, still remain disconnected from opportunities due to limited access to skills, exposure and employability support. 

Through STeP, youth are equipped with industry-relevant 21st century skills that help them move towards stable livelihoods, financial independence and a more secure future. Smile Foundation’s STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) is focused on empowering underserved youth with industry-relevant skills that help them access sustainable livelihood opportunities and organised employment. Supported through a network of 400+ partners, the programme has equipped thousands of young people with employability-focused training aligned with evolving industry demands. 

Last year alone, over 9,000 youth received skill training, 5,500 were successfully placed and 96% of enrolled participants earned STeP certification, while many also benefited from career counselling sessions and industry exposure visits that strengthened workplace readiness.

As India’s quick commerce, logistics and e-commerce sectors continue expanding rapidly, STeP is helping youth build skills aligned to these emerging employment ecosystems.

Quick Commerce Skills: Empower Youth With Livelihood 

  1. Retail & Customer Relationship Management

Youth are trained in communication, customer interaction, teamwork and workplace behaviour, helping them prepare for customer-facing roles in retail stores, quick commerce operations and service industries.

  1. Logistics & Supply Chain Operations

With warehousing and delivery networks expanding rapidly, STeP helps youth build practical operational skills in inventory handling, fulfillment processes and logistics coordination required in today’s growing supply chain ecosystem.

  1. IT-Enabled Services & Digital Skills

The programme strengthens digital readiness through computer literacy, digital communication and technology-enabled workplace training, enabling youth to access opportunities in e-commerce, backend operations and digital support services.

  1. Soft Skills & Employability Training

Beyond technical learning, STeP focuses on building confidence, English communication, interview preparedness, professional behaviour and problem-solving skills that help underserved youth transition more confidently into organised employment.

Meaningful Employment

As India moves towards becoming a global economic powerhouse, the true measure of progress will lie in ensuring that underserved youth are not left behind, but are empowered to contribute meaningfully towards the nation’s livelihood, productivity and future growth. 

Millions of youth from rural, tribal and underserved communities still struggle with school dropouts, weak digital literacy, limited vocational training, migration barriers, financial instability and lack of exposure to organised industries. For young women especially, restricted mobility, caregiving responsibilities and limited access to formal employment ecosystems continue to affect workforce participation. 

Build Youth Livelihood Opportunities: Partner Now 

CSR partnerships and youth development initiatives can become powerful catalysts for change.

By supporting

  • skill development
  • workplace readiness 
  • digital exposure through industry-aligned livelihood programmes

businesses and NGOs can help build a stronger, future-ready workforce capable of participating in India’s growing digital economy. 

Every warehouse, delivery hub and retail network needs skilled talent. Partner with Smile Foundation livelihood programme to transform India’s economic expansion into inclusive growth of youth from underserved communities.

FAQs

1. Why are youth livelihood programmes important in India today?

Youth livelihood programmes help underserved youth gain employability, digital and vocational skills required to access opportunities in emerging sectors such as quick commerce, logistics and e-commerce.

2. How can CSR partnerships support youth development?

CSR partnerships can support youth development by investing in skill training, digital literacy, workplace readiness and livelihood programmes aligned with industry demand.

3. What employment challenges do rural youth face in India?

Rural youth often face barriers such as limited education access, weak digital literacy, school dropouts, migration challenges and lack of exposure to organised employment sectors.

4. Why is CSR for youth development becoming increasingly important?

As India’s economy becomes more technology-driven, CSR for youth development helps prepare underserved communities with industry-relevant skills for sustainable livelihoods.

5. How is quick commerce creating livelihood opportunities?

Quick commerce is generating employment across logistics, warehousing, retail operations, customer support and digital commerce services, creating new livelihood opportunities for youth.

6. What role do NGOs play in youth livelihood programmes?

NGOs help bridge employability gaps by providing vocational training, career guidance, digital literacy and workplace readiness support to underserved youth.

7. How does Smile Foundation’s STeP programme support youth development?

The STeP programme equips underserved youth with vocational training, communication skills, digital literacy and employability support aligned with emerging industries.

8. How can youth development contribute to India’s economic growth?

A skilled and employable youth population strengthens productivity, workforce participation and economic resilience, helping India build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Sources:

  1. Youth in India, 2022
  2. India’s Growing Focus on Youth and Sports
  3. The Economic situation in 1900-91 chapter 1
  4. Amazon to take ‘Now’ rapid-delivery service to 100 cities in India
Categories
Smile CSR Health Partnerships

Closing the Access Gap in Rural Healthcare in India through CSR

A few months ago, a story surfaced across social media — of Kamla Devi in Himachal Pradesh — crossing rivers on foot to vaccinate an infant. It stood as a powerful testament to the commitment of India’s frontline health workers. But if you look closely, beneath this inspiring image lies a more complex truth: in many parts of rural healthcare in India, access to even basic services continues to depend on extraordinary human effort rather than dependable systems.

This duality defines India’s healthcare journey. 

On one hand, the country has made measurable progress. Through initiatives such as the National Health Mission (NHM), India has expanded its healthcare workforce by over 12 lakh between FY 2021–24 and administered more than 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Improvements in maternal and child health indicators, alongside programmes like Ayushman Bharat and the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, signal a system steadily advancing towards wider coverage.

However, the immediate challenge still remains: ensuring these services effectively reach the most remote communities, while simultaneously strengthening state healthcare systems to sustain delivery and meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Thus, within this context, it becomes pertinent to first examine what “accessible healthcare” truly means in India, particularly within the realities of rural healthcare in India. 

The recent Health Parliament discussions brought forth a nuanced understanding of the multi-layered challenges spanning geography, infrastructure, workforce and trust that continue to shape access at the last mile.

Exploring the dimensions of accessibility in depth, this blog will also examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved into a strategic enabler for taking quality healthcare to the last mile across India. Through sustained corporate partnerships with NGOs such as Smile Foundation, with over two decades of experience and more than 400 collaborations, growing efforts have been made to bridge the gap between policy intent and lived access.

Programmes like Smile on Wheels, Smile on Boat, Pink Smile, Swabhiman and physiotherapy initiatives for the trucker community exemplify how targeted, community-based interventions can translate systemic goals into tangible healthcare outcomes on the ground.

Accessible Healthcare: What does it mean in Rural India? 

In policy discussions and boardroom conversations, the phrase “last-mile healthcare delivery” is frequently used to highlight the measure of India’s healthcare system’s success. However, this term demands special attention, when last mile healthcare delivery has to be done in the corners of rural India. 

Should accessibility to healthcare be only limited to geographical limitations of the country? Should accessibility of healthcare services only mean the distance between a patient and the nearest health facility? Or does it extend to a more complex interplay of time, cost, awareness and the social confidence required to seek medical assistance. 

These questions were brought into sharp focus during a recent Health Parliament dialogue organised by leading public health stakeholders, under the guidance of Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Founder of Health Parliament and senior sector experts, including Prof. (Dr.) Narendra Kumar Arora, Executive Director of INCLEN; Dr. Barnwal, Chief Executive Officer of National Health Authority of India; Professor K. Reddy, eminent public health expert; Mr. Mathew Cherian from CARE; Mr. Harish Iyer from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and Dr. Girish N. Rao, noted public health specialist.

Redefining Geographical Accessibility through CSR-Led Healthcare Delivery

At its most visible level, accessibility is about geography. India’s vast and diverse terrains – its mountains, forests and riverine belts create natural barriers that healthcare systems have to navigate through. As highlighted by Mr. Mathew Cherian, “the limited availability of quality healthcare within accessible distances” continues to define rural India”. 

But what does “accessible distance” mean and how does it play a crucial role in India’s healthcare system? 

Accessible distance cannot be only measured in kilometers between a village and a health facility. It is defined by the time taken, the terrain navigated, the cost incurred and the physical ability of the patience to make that journey. Mr. Cherian also highlighted that even today for many and especially the elderly of the vulnerable communities, a few kilometers journey to the nearest healthcare facility can be a significant disruption in their survival lifestyle. 

Addressing these challenges, Dr. Rashmi Ardey, Director Programmes Health of Smile Foundation highlights that “collaborative efforts must be invested in ensuring that accessibility is patient-centric”. She emphasised that quality healthcare in rural India must be designed as a continuum of care across the life-cycle – from antenatal and early childhood to adolescent, reproductive and elderly health. 

Accessibility to healthcare must go beyond proximity, but about consistent, comprehensive and human centered services. In today’s time, Mobile Medical Units are playing a pivotal role in delivering curated care, screenings (eye, non-communicable diseases and cancer), anemia management, follow up care and referral support directly to the underserved communities. 

“Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) challenge the idea that patients must travel to healthcare — healthcare must travel to them”.  – Dr. Rashmi Ardey

Infrastructure Accessibility: India Needs Performance Driven Healthcare

India’s investments in healthcare infrastructure have been substantial, yet their effectiveness remains uneven. The persistence of understaffed and under-equipped facilities has given rise to what may be termed “passive infrastructure” systems that exist without delivering consistent value.

In light of the discussions at the Health Parliament, Ms. Sarita Pradhan, Head of Swabhiman, our intervention for women’s health and livelihood drew attention to a persistent and challenging gap in India’s rural healthcare system – the disconnect between infrastructure creation and actuarial service delivery.

“Health discussions are not effective if they do not yield results”. – Ms. Sarita Pradhan

Advocating for a strong public health leadership, structured monitoring and evaluation system, along with the use of real time data to guide decision making, Ms.Pradhan emphasises on collaborative efforts for making rural healthcare systems functional, accountable and continuously monitored to ensure real impact.

She also states that targeted interventions for adolescent girls, early childhood care and women’s reproductive health through data driven governance and collaborative efforts ensures females who are the minority groups within vulnerable communities access continuity of care at the community level. 

By working within the community, she states that Swabhiman compliments the public system by combining awareness, on-ground engagement and service delivery- transforming passive infrastructure into active, accessible healthcare for marginalised women and their communities. 

Human Resource Accessibility: Strengthening the Frontline

Healthcare delivery ultimately rests on human capacity. Accessibility, therefore, is not determined solely by infrastructure, but by the competence and responsiveness of those delivering care.

Today facilities may exist, but the shortage of trained healthcare professionals in remote areas continues to limit service delivery. Furthermore, this issue is not only numerical, but also one of retention in remote settings. 

As Dr. Rashmi Ardey highlights, “strengthening frontline workers particularly in digital competencies is critical in an evolving healthcare ecosystem”.  She also states that face to face interactions with medical professionals satisfies a crucial element that helps in building trust – the “touch and feel” care; especially important for the elderly populations, who are still not well versed with digital tools. 

Furthermore, Mr. Harish Iyer’s observations at the Health Parliament further deepened the conversation around human resource readiness in a digitised healthcare ecosystem. He underscored that the integration of digital health tools can only be effective when frontline workers are adequately trained — not just in operating technology, but in interpreting and applying it within real-world community settings.

He also highlighted that disease surveillance systems, increasingly driven by digital platforms, still rely heavily on human intervention for accurate data collection, validation and response. Without skilled personnel on the ground, even the most advanced systems risk becoming underutilised.

Thus, strengthening frontline capacity is not optional — it is foundational and its future must not be solely a public system’s responsibility, but collaborative efforts must be invested in building a workforce that can seamlessly integrate technology with human judgement, ensuring both efficient service delivery and responsive public health systems.

Economic Accessibility: From Coverage to Comprehension

While infrastructure and workforce challenges often dominate the discourse, the economic condition of individuals remains one of the most decisive barriers to healthcare access in rural healthcare in India. For many households, seeking medical care is not just a health decision, it is a financial calculation. 

Loss of daily wages, cost of travel, diagnostic expenses and medication collectively discourage timely care seeking. As a result, illnesses are often delayed, under treated or ignored until they become critical. A loop where poverty and poor health get intertwined with each other. 

Thus, addressing this grave challenge, the discussions at the Health Parliament brought forward the importance of strengthening financial protection mechanisms, particularly through Universal Health Coverage – a foundational requirement for equitable and inclusive growth of the nation.

To ensure healthcare is more accessible, Professor K. Reddy, eminent public health expert stated that “Universal Health Coverage should offer both service coverage and financial protection” – this dual focus will ensure that affordability and availability will go hand in hand”  

Reinforcing this Dr. Ardey, Smile Foundation states that “Universal Health Coverage which includes preventive and promotive care is the only way forward”. UHC coverage must move beyond financial coverage to a more holistic life cycle approach to healthcare.

At the implementation level, Dr. Barnwal, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority of India noted that “health coverage in India has reached approximately 65% of socially vulnerable populations,” signalling progress, yet also indicating the remaining gap in universal inclusion while, Ms. Pradhan pointed out that “reducing out-of-pocket expenses is important for expanding service coverage,” but financial protection alone is insufficient without effective execution and awareness.

And this is where CSR partnerships with NGOs in India like Smile Foundation can help in bridging an essential gap in India’s rural healthcare, by not just being a supportive functionary, but a critical bridge between policy intent and on ground execution. Highlighted by Mr. Satnam Singh, Senior General Manager of Health at Smile Foundation, he states that CSR partnerships with credible NGO partners can create measurable impact. 

Socio-cultural Accessibility: The Role of Trust in Healthcare Utilisation

One of the most overlooked issues of accessibility to quality healthcare in rural India is the social cultural factors. The presence of healthcare services does not automatically translate into their utilisation, as a critical barrier lies in trust. Rural communities tend to prefer familiar and relationship driven interactions over impersonal or purely digital interfaces. 

This perspective was reinforced by Dr. Gupta’s analysis of health determinants, where he showed how only 10–20% of health outcomes are influenced by clinical care, while a significant proportion is shaped by environmental factors (24%), food systems (20%), genetics (20%) and individual behaviour (10–15%).

Weak community engagement further limits acceptance of healthcare systems, creating a gap between availability and actual usage. In this context, accessibility extends beyond physical reach — it becomes psychological and relational. Without trust, even well-designed interventions risk remaining underutilised.

Therefore, the only way forward is to ensure that healthcare does not operate in isolation or just as a responsibility of the public healthcare system. Building trust, influencing behaviour and engaging communities are central to improving outcomes, making socio-cultural accessibility a critical lever in achieving meaningful healthcare access.

Partner with Us: Deliver Healthcare that Reaches

Achieving accessible healthcare within rural healthcare infrastructure and system in India, requires a system-level shit–from integrating geography, infrastructure, workforce readiness, affordability and trust into a cohesive delivery model. 

As the Health Parliament discussions highlighted, that access is not a single variable but a factor which shapes the continuity of the real world conditions. And this is exactly, where CSR partnerships with Smile Foundation can move beyond compliance to strategic interventions for building affordable, accessible and equitable last-mile healthcare delivery mechanisms while also strengthening the implementation ecosystem and generating measurable and sustainable social impact – ensuring that no life suffers because of inadequate or untimely care. 

Partner with Smile Foundation to co create action driven healthcare solutions that reach the last door, of the last mile.

Sources:

Brave Nurse Crosses Flooded Stream In Himachal Pradesh To Vaccinate Baby

Achievements under National Health Mission (2021-24): A Milestone in Improving India’s Public Health Outcomes

Categories
Smile CSR Partners In Change Partnerships

Why Purpose Marketing Is New Year’s Trend for Brands

As the seasons of carols and the ringing of New Year echoes in the air, reflection and renewal rises with a sharpened desire to move ahead with purpose. This season brings an opportunity for brands to move beyond the noise of festive promotions and step into the world of purpose marketing, a strategic declaration of  their brand’s intentions running deeper than a one-off donation or an obligatory CSR drive. 

Today’s consumers, especially the younger lot are more discerning as they read and observe brands like books. They look for values, consistency and a mission they can attach their loyalty to. When a brand’s purpose aligns with their own, advocacy follows almost instinctively. Festivities like Christmas and New Year engagements in this sense become a seasonal checkpoint. It is a stage when people reset goals and reconsider their beliefs and support towards social causes. Those brands that choose to step onto this stage, do a lot more than discounts, they align purpose marketing initiatives through donations, employee giving, community engagement and cause-related campaigns that invite consumers to co-creates, making participation a form of persuasion. 

Why Purpose Marketing Wins?

 Across the world, corporations are rewriting their playbooks with strategies that reflect their new understanding that purpose is power. For example, Mastercard’s pledge to bring 1 billion people into the digital economy by 2050 or Intel’s commitment to ensure 40% women in technical roles by 2030 are not acts of goodwill alone, but a long sighted strategic move to strengthen the brand’s purpose while accelerating social justice, inclusion and sustainability. 

Furthermore the governments, investors and consumers now expect brands to uphold more than profits, resulting in corporate social responsibility intersecting with purpose not as a parallel consent but as mutually reinforcing forces.

Benefits of Purpose Marketing :

  • Stronger brand equity and long-term differentiation

Purpose marketing comes with a 360 degree approach where it builds an integral relationship with brands and consumers. Purpose-driven brands make a strong impression on consumers, making them remember the brands, trust them and stay for the long term while on the other hand, the “purpose premium” framework, as per to Deloitte, shows that brands with clear purpose enjoy advantages in brand and reputation, sales, innovation, operational efficiency, talent retention and risk mitigation. 

  • Higher employee morale and retention through meaningful engagement

Employees feel a deeper allegiance to their organisations when they see them championing causes they personally value. When corporate social responsibility is woven into a company’s purpose, it becomes a quiet but powerful force strengthening loyalty and reducing attrition. In an article, Joan Steinberg, Morgan Stanley’s Global Head of Philanthropy quotes,

“it’s just not consumers who expect the company to be a good neighbor. It’s also employees”.

*Huffpost

  • Greater consumer advocacy driven by authentic purpose

In the era of doing beyond profit, customers want brands to make tangible social impact. A purpose marketing driven approach through CSR approach or cause related marketing enables the consumers to build trust and emotional loyalty. Through credible storytelling showcasing impact, transparency and brand’s ongoing commitment, socially conscious consumers stick for long term, rather than transactional interactions, which further turns them into loyal advocates for the brand, who shall co-steer cause marketing initiatives through interventions like donations at checkout. 

  • A measurable contribution to SDGs and national development priorities

As India works toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, it is crucial to recognise the power of collective engagement. Purpose marketing- whether through CSR commitments or cause-related initiatives, can become a true gamechanger by activating society’s collective consciousness. When brands align with social causes, they help enable quality education for children from underserved communities, deliver last-mile healthcare to remote regions and empower women, young girls and youth with livelihoods, that allow them to sustain themselves and shape a stronger future.

Giving Back in Action 

Purpose marketing becomes truly powerful when it shifts from intention to meaningful action. Across India, brands partnering with Smile Foundation have shown how CSR initiatives and cause-related marketing can create real, measurable impact. These collaborations have enabled children from underserved communities to access quality education, delivered last-mile healthcare to remote regions and opened livelihood opportunities for women and youth. In doing so, purpose-driven CSR and CRM interventions have not only strengthened communities but also enhanced brand trust, loyalty and long-term value- proving that when brands invest in purpose, both society and the business grow together.

Smile Foundation’s Purpose Marketing Activities- Case study

Blueleaf’s Integrated Rural Development Impact

Blueleaf Energy, through its Blueleaf Cares programme, has partnered with Smile Foundation to drive integrated rural development across 27 villages in Madhya Pradesh. Focusing on healthcare, education, livelihoods and the environment, the initiative supports over 10,000 people, while strengthening local systems through community partnerships and alignment with national schemes.

Submarine Pens Turns every Pen into Purpose 

Submarine Pens has partnered with Smile Foundation to advance education and healthcare for children across more than 2,000 villages and urban settlements in India. Through this collaboration, the brand integrates social impact into its core identity, turning every pen sold into a meaningful contribution towards stronger, more equitable community outcomes.

Lakshita’s Creative to Empowerment 

Children’s Day became a powerful expression of purpose marketing as Lakshita, in collaboration with Smile Foundation, invited young girls to explore sustainable fashion through hands-on creativity. The event transformed simple crafting into an experience of confidence, imagination and empowerment, while aligning brand values with meaningful social engagement; this celebration demonstrated how purposeful initiatives can spark joy while stitching aspirations for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Indus insights Purpose on Wheels for School going children 

Indus Insights’ Manager’s Forum partnered with Smile Foundation to deliver bicycles to children who walk long distances to school- an employee giving programme that was  rooted in the spirit of purposeful brand engagement. As volunteers assembled the bikes, children observed, learned and participated, creating a shared moment of joy. This impactful collaboration demonstrated how purpose-led initiatives can strengthen organisational culture, while creating meaningful community value.

Dear Diary’s Purpose-Driven Partnership

Smile Foundation’s collaboration with Dear Diary by Rashmika Mandanna brings the “Kindness Economy” to life through purpose marketing- with part of every sale going towards supporting education of children from the marginalised sections of the country. This initiative shows how brands can embed purpose into products, creating value that goes beyond fragrance to nurture dreams and spark ripples of positive change across communities.

Make New Year of Meaningful Impact with Smile 

Businesses today are moving beyond profit to embrace purpose and support causes that strengthen the social fabric of our communities. What was once an optional charitable gesture has now become a core asset, resonating with consumers, employees and communities while advancing business objectives.

Festive moments like Christmas and New Year offer ideal opportunities for brands to transform seasonal campaigns into sustained, purpose-driven initiatives. Whether through CSR interventions, employee engagement programmes or cause-marketing campaigns, companies that embrace purpose position themselves as social pioneers. They foster emotional equity, create meaningful social impact and shape their brands, businesses and markets into catalysts for social good. 

Partner with us to integrate purpose into your brand strategy today. Participate with communities, engage your employees and design initiatives that deliver measurable market growth and meaningful social change.

Sources:

  1. Why Giving Back Increases Brand Loyalty
  2. 81% of millennials want companies to be good corporate citizens
  3. Why Smart Companies Give Back


Ways to Promote Your Business With Charitable Marketing

Why a purpose-driven strategy is good for business

 

Categories
Smile CSR Partners In Change Partnerships

Children’s Day Through the Lens of Employee Engagement

Children’s day in India, celebrated on 14th November marks the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, affectionately remembered as “Chacha Nehru”. The day is a tribute to his deep belief that children are the nation’s great asset and that nurturing their growth is fundamental to building a compassionate and progressive society. 

For adults, children’s day evokes a sense of nostalgia, a reminder of innocence, creativity and curiosity that once defined our own childhood. From school activities to dressing up as Chacha Nehru, these traditions still continue to inspire generations, underscoring the importance of creating environments where every child, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, grows with quality education and nourishment.

To keep the spirit of the day alive, many organisation use this day as an opportunity to rekindle the childhood euphoria, by conducting employee engagement activities with children hailing from the marginalised communities of India, which positively shapes the young minds with chances of learning new things, interacting with professionals, and be inspired for their future. 

Why Children’s Day Matters at Work 

From an early age, children explore their surroundings out of curiosity, especially when there’s something new to learn. Studies have shown that, in children too, curiosity involves a range of information- seeking behaviours, just like the adults. Preschoolers display creativity by trying different solutions or imagining new uses for objects. Though they may not be able to create things that are new or useful, they show “mini C- creativity”— personal creative efforts that aid in learning. 

How is this related to engagement at work? 

Employee engagements are crucial to build a culture where formality is replaced with fellowships. In moments of shared laughter or team work, individuals rediscover each other beyond designations. This emotional synchrony cultivates psychological safety, and paves way for a workforce that

  • Interacts meaningfully,
  • Less prone to isolation and burnout, and
  • More likely to build collective resilience.

However, creating a consistent routine mechanism for recognising employee contributions is equally vital. Employees feel more engaged and inspired when their efforts are genuinely acknowledged and appreciated

In this light, thoughtfully designed employee engagement initiatives become more than organisational rituals, they become recognition and trust in company’s deeper purpose.

Employees evolve from participants into agents of change, championing social causes such as educational development that shape the nation’s future. Their engagement with young learners reflects authentic leadership, strengthening professional identity, fostering empathy, and empowering children to explore their own creativity.

Corporate Engagements to strengthen Education in India

Employee participation goes beyond volunteering; it directly impacts on children’s education being completed and for many an opportunity to enter a classroom for the first time. India’s rural educational challenges are as diverse as this country’s spirit. However, issues like lack of proper educational infrastructure, lack of educational resources, digital aid, and usable sanitation facilities commonly hinder the growth of young minds across the country.

In 2024, only 49.86% schools across seven Northeastern states had usable toilers for girls. In Sikkim, just 79.2 % of girls’ schools had functioning toilets, followed by 72% in Assam. These figures drawn only from two states, highlight the critical gap in India’s educational structure in 2025. 

At the same time, it is encouraging to note a significant improvement in girls’ toilet coverage in rural schools from 66.4 per cent in 2018 to 72 per cent in 2024. This progress underscores the impact of collaborative efforts between corporates, NGOs, and government initiatives in strengthening India’s education ecosystem.

A single day of corporate engagement holds the power of creating ripples of change for years ahead. By aligning with national education goals, employee engagement initiatives can support young learners from underserved communities with learning aids, stationery, and digital tools—helping them build essential skills and prepare for a more empowered future.

Employee Engagement Powering Learning and Smiles 

At Smile Foundation, we believe that when purpose meets participation, workplaces transform into communities of change—enthusiastic corporate teams interacting with children from our education centres, can ignite creativity and teamwork, values that are important for both a growing student and a driven employee.

Each activity below strengthens two journeys at once– a child’s learning experience and an employee’s sense of belonging and purpose. 

ActivitiesBenefits for ChildrenBenefits for Corporates
Build- A-Bike Gives children an opportunity to assemble bikes from the scratch, igniting curiosity behind the working of cycle Encourages collaborations, coordination and problem solving under a common goal. The satisfaction of building as a team that boosts morale. 
BaLaMakes classrooms into vibrant learning environments. Children get to learn with murals, maps and visuals that spark curiosity in learningIgnites creativity and empathy. Painting as a team bonds, while allowing employees to see the tangible outcome of their collective effort.
Ecobricks Furniture MakingIt creates sustainable and safe furnitures for schools and learning centres, while promoting environmental awareness among studentsCultivates environmental consciousness, teamwork and innovation. Employees can learn new sustainable practices that can boost company’s CSR goals
Happy Feet ChallengeOften many children from the marginalised communities do not have proper shoes or walk barefoot, this activity offers them creativity tied up with comfort and safety Fosters empathy, artistic expression and purpose driven engagement. Employees can experience the joy of creating something for a child in need
Indoor Plantation DriveChildren learn to be environmental custodians from an early age while learning how to be more mindfulActs as a therapeutic and team-bonding exercise, while reinforcing sustainability awareness aligned with ESG and wellness initiatives
Wall of Smile Provides access to essential items like books and stationery, encouraging learning and continuityOffers an impactful way to declutter responsibly, while encouraging meaningful giving to the community. 
Mandala Art/ Greeting Card MakingDelivers messages of encouragement and positivity, reminding them they are seen and supportedIs a mindful reflective activity that reduces stress, while deepening emotional connection with a cause 

When work meets joy, it transforms more than just the atmosphere, it humanises the workplace. Celebrating occasions like Children’s Day, Christmas or New year through employee engagement activities serve as a gentle reminder which is often forgotten in the rush of targets and boardroom discussions that – curiosity, empathy and imagination are not tractors to outgrow but to rediscover. These very qualities that were once nurtured in childhood, today continue to evolve with age that is complimented with innovation, problem solving and resilience of the adult brain. 

Simple acts like assembling a bicycle, planting a sapling, painting a classroom, all of these activities just do not become an avenue for volunteering by the corporates, but they become a platform where the employees can become active agents of transformation; they can rekindle a sense of purpose, return to creativity and be a much more compassionate team who value making a positive meaning beyond the desk, while giving opportunities of learning and laughter to children from underserved communities of India.

Engage with children from Smile Foundation’s education centres to create experiences that matter on children’s day. Partner with us to bridge purpose and progress, where India’s children are empowered and businesses build a future that truly lasts. 

Sources- 

Exploring the creativity-curiosity link in early childhood

The Benefits of Employee Engagement

NE states lag behind even as India improves girls’ toilet facilities

Is India AI ready when 36% of schools have no internet?

Employee Engagement Is More Than A Plus, It’s Essential

The Q12®: The World’s Leading Employee Engagement Survey

Categories
CSR Partners In Change Partnerships

Unlocking the Power of CSR-NGO Partnerships 

When Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was introduced in India in 2013, it sparked debate. Some hailed it as a vital lever to ensure inclusive national progress, while others dismissed it as a bureaucratic obligation. Fast forward to 2025 and CSR has evolved from a peripheral compliance exercise into a strategic imperative. Today, both large and small enterprises weave CSR into the very fabric of their business, pursuing a shared vision: advancing the nation, one life at a time. 

This evolution has not happened in isolation. The rise of CSR-NGO partnerships has become a defining feature of India’s CSR landscape, transforming charitable giving into a measurable force for social change. As ESG commitments gain prominence, corporates and NGOs emerge as dual energies, driving inclusive growth and community transformation.

The Power of CSR-NGO Partnerships 

Corporates and NGOs are in many ways polar opposites. Their operational philosophies , priorities and approaches diverge sharply. Yet, precisely this divergence gives rise to extraordinary synergy as when aligned, they become formidable forces, capable of delivering structured and long lasting social impact. 

  • Enhanced Social Impact 

NGOs bring hyperlocal insights and deep community ties, enabling corporates to design initiatives that are both relevant and scalable. By harnessing this expertise, CSR programs address the unique challenges of India’s diverse communities, reaching underserved populations with precision. 

  • Shared Resources and Risk Mitigation 

Pooling financial, human and technical resources makes CSR-NGO partnerships more robust and sustainable. Risks, whether operational or financial are distributed allowing bold,ambitious projects that might otherwise remain unattempted. 

  • Strengthening Corporate Reputation 

Collaborating with credible NGOs signals authenticity, elevating the corporate brand while reinforcing public trust. Companies are no longer seen as mere profit seekers, they are now recognised and held accountable, as social stakeholders shaping an inclusive world. 

  • Innovation and Mutual Learning

The contrasting strengths of corporates and NGOs such as financial and managerial expertise v/s grassroots knowledge and closeness, create fragile ground for mutual learning. This exchange fosters continuous improvement, strategic refinement and creative problem-solving, enhancing the effectiveness of interventions over time.

The Strategic Shift in India’s CSR

India’s CSR law mandates that companies dedicate a minimum 2% of net profits to social causes. Initially, this created a transactional dynamic as corporates sought reputational benefits, while NGOs primarily sought funding. 

However, times have changed. Modern CSR is no longer about compliance; it is about strategic collaboration. A recent C&E advisory report highlights that companies and non-profit organisations, increasingly join forces now to tackle complex social challenges. Today CSR-NGO partnerships aim not merely to satisfy legal obligations, but to co-create sustainable impact for the communities in which they operate.

The New CSR Playbook: Data, Tech, Community

  1. Tech-Enabled CSR

Digital transformation has revolutionised CSR, turning technology into a lever for measurable social outcomes. AI-driven EdTech, digital classrooms, STEM mobile labs, mobile health units, teleconsultations, and real-time screenings are enabling corporates and NGOs to deliver targeted interventions. What was once goodwill has become precision-driven action.

  1. Measuring Impact with Data

Analytics and impact measurement tools allow CSR interventions to move beyond activity-based metrics to tangible outcomes. Dashboards and real time analytics enhance transparency, accountability and adaptability, enabling corporates and NGOs to track progress and build trust within the communities they serve. 

  1. Building Sustainable and Green Communities

CSR initiatives now embrace environmental stewardship as a core objective. From vegetable gardens and plantation drives to creative “best out of waste” corporate volunteering activities– such partnerships help in integrating the “E” in the ESG, fostering a sustainable ecosystem while infusing the spirit of belongingness in the community. 

  1. Empowering Human Capital 

Skill development, inclusive education and financial literacy are at the heart of CSR-NGO partnerships. Digital classrooms, vocational training and microenterprise support especially for women of rural and urban poor communities of India are pivotal for India’s growth. Such interventions help in translating potential into opportunity, bridging social and economic gaps, while creating sustainable livelihoods. 

CSR in Action: Real-World Transformations

  1. Job-Ready Youth: A Pathway to Inclusive Growth

A partnership between Flipkart Foundation and Smile Foundation is transforming the lives of marginalised youth in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Through industry-relevant training in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, over 1,000 young individuals have acquired the skills, confidence, and pathways to meaningful employment, demonstrating the tangible impact of CSR-NGO partnerships.

2. Upskilling for Empowerment

Ashirvad by Aliaxis and Smile Foundation have launched the “Plumber Saathi” mobile training programme across Odisha, equipping youth with practical plumbing skills. By combining corporate expertise with grassroots outreach, the programme promotes self-reliance and contributes to long-term socio-economic development in underserved communities.

3. Strengthening Early Education

CNH Industrial (New Holland) and Smile Foundation have collaborated to integrate digital classrooms, teacher training, and practical learning tools, addressing foundational gaps in early education. Through interactive technologies, children gain essential literacy and numeracy skills, ensuring equitable learning opportunities and fostering lifelong educational engagement.

Smile Foundation’s CSR Philosophy

India’s CSR landscape has evolved from compliance-driven charity to strategic measurable impact and Smile Foundation embodies this philosophy; supporting those in need by leveraging the expertise of CSR-NGO partnerships for achieving a bigger goal of creating sustainable change, empowering communities and fostering an egalitarian nation. 

By combining technology, data and grassroots expertise, Smile Foundation works towards ensuring that collectively both corporates and NGOs in India, become a strategic force for irrevocable positive transformation. 

Join us and explore how your orgnaisation can transform goodwill into measurable chance and build a future where every life thrives. 

Sources-

  1. The Impact of Digital Transformation on CSR: Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook
  2. Do data-driven CSR initiatives improve CSR performance? The importance of big data analytics capability
  3. ‘Incredibly resilient’: Corporate-NGO tie-ups switch from ‘tactical’ to ‘problem solving’
  4. Corporate- Non Profit Partnerships Barometer 2025 by c&e advisory
Categories
Employee Engagement CSR Partners In Change Partnerships Smile

Beyond Doing Nice : Employee Engagement that Changes Lives

Humans are wired to connect, as isolation has never been our natural state. Over time, our interactions be it professional, personal or social have shaped not only relations, but the narratives that define communities and generations. Among these, employee engagement has emerged as a uniquely powerful form of interaction. 

Today these engagements offer organisations more than productivity– they create opportunities to instill meaning, responsibility and purpose. When designed strategically, employee engagement becomes a lever for lasting impact, fostering workforce stations while delivering tangible societal benefits and bridging the connection between organisations, employees and the society they service.

Why Employee Engagement Matters 

Employee  engagement is not a perk, it is a power strategy. In every organisation, there are two kinds of workers– one, who moves with the intent and second, who simply go through the motions. The difference lies in engagement. An engaged employee takes initiative, resists the drift of apathy and aligns their daily actions with broader mission, while employees who are less engaged may keep their distance from the business’s core organisation and beliefs, which unfortunately can impact on the business’s culture. 

The Business Benefit 

Employee engagement is the unseen force that separates high performing cultures from those in decline. It has been observed that engaged teams collaborate more effectively, adapt with resilience under stress and deliver consistently better outcomes. Their discretionary effort– the willingness to go beyond what is required, directly translate into-

  • Stronger customary experience 
  • Reduced turnover 
  • Safer and productive workplaces 

Skills & Professional Development

Employees thrive when they see a path to growth– when they are coached, challenged and recognised for their strengths.They develop sharper skills through meaningful projects, mentoring and volunteering opportunities to stretch their abilities. This investment is not altruism; it is the cultivation of human capital that returns dividends in innovation, loyalty and leadership. 

Corporate Value Alignment & ESG 

Modern employees demand more than pay– they seek purpose. Gartner research shows that 87% of employees believe that businesses should take a stand on societal issues, even those not directly linked to operations. It has also been found that, when companies act authentically i.e, rooted in their values and consistent with their strategy, employees respond with heightened engagement and discretionary efforts. Furthermore, is important to note that today, the ESG and social impact initiatives have moved beyond external optics– today employees look at them as internal catalysts for business growth which invariably results in binding employees to the organisation’s mission and culture. 

Turning Purpose into Joyful Impact

Abraham Maslow, in his “Motivation and Personality” mapped the architecture of human motivation through a hierarchy of needs– physiological sustenance, shelter, love and belonging, esteem and ultimately– self actualisation. He mentioned, that while survival and recognition are foundational, it is the pursuit of self actualisation that defines the apex of human ambition. Being part of something larger than oneself– a workplace community, a volunteer group, a team or a shared culture provides the scaffolding on which individuals can transcend the ordinary, discover latent strengths and contribute meaningfully.

This is where purpose intersects with celebrations. Organisations that embed environmental, social and governance initiative– or any mission driven programme into the fabric of their culture do more than tick boxes. They provide avenues for employees to act, engage and connect, satisfying deeper psychological needs, while igniting a sense of shared achievement. 

When these purpose-driven actions interweave with festivities, ritual and the joy of giving the impact is amplified. Celebratory movements infused with meaning transform routine participation into a powerful experience of belonging and self-expression. This way, employees are not just participants, they become co-creators of impact, experiencing firsthand the exhilaration of growth, contribution and recognition. 

In essence, celebration driven engagement lies in self actualisation– when people are given the opportunity to connect, contribute and witness the tangible results of their efforts, particularly, in joyous, collective settings – the workplace becomes more than a site of productivity. It becomes a theater of human potential, a space where ambition, empathy and shared joy converge for holistic welfare. 

Joy of Giving Engagement to Amplify Purpose

The path to meaningful engagement begins with understanding the spectrum of initiatives that connect employees to causes larger than themselves.  Employees who are given avenues to align their work with a higher purpose, do not simply perform, but they transform – themselves and their environment. 

Within the framework of this purposeful corporate employee engagements, Smile Foundation offers an arean where skills, service and celebration converge creating opportunities for employees to connect, contribute and evolve. 

“When work touches life beyond the office, engagement becomes a force and not just a function”

Over the years, Smile Foundation has orchestrated employee engagement activities with strategic precision, dividing initiatives into education, community, skill and sustainability along with grand scale projects. This design has helped organisations to turn ordinary participation into a conduit of influence where they gain motivation, empowered teams, strengthened culture and visible impact– while their employees wield purposes as a subtle form of power, leaving an indelible mark on both society and the corporate realm.  

Initiative Impact
Education- Focussed Through these activities, the employees can mentor and facilitate through skill building, teaching and learning sessions, turning their work hours into meaningful impact while also demonstrating leadership through empathy
Community- FocussedHealth camps, cleanliness drives and green belt development transform employees into agents of tangible community change 
Skill & SustainabilitySustainability workshops, livelihood and soft skills workshops, plantation drives, kitchen gardens, seed ball initiatives empower employees to foster self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship and responsible change, leaving a legacy beyond the workplace
Special initiativesMarathons like the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Mumbai Marathon and TCS unite teams under a shared purpose. These high-visibility initiatives build pride, camaraderie and demonstrate that impact can be celebrated as powerfully as it is achieved.

Festive Engagements into Impact

By aligning employee engagement activities with festivals, corporates can transform ordinary celebrations into impact of instruments creating a virtuous circle where joy, giving and corporate purpose reinforces one another. 

Each celebration— be it Diwali, Christmas, DaanUtsav, Eid, Raksha Bandhan, Friendship Day or New Year can become a canvas for purposeful action. Activities like Rangoli making, crafting greeting cards, storytelling sessions, school kit drives and nutrition campaigns can become more than festival engagements, and more like deliberate acts that magnify engagement, strengthen corporate identity and create tangible social impact.

Furthermore initiatives such as volunteering drives of “Wall of Smiles” can convert contribution into culture, incentivising participation and embedding generosity into the organisational DNA. Distribution of winter kits, school supplies and nutrition meals can allow employees to witness immediate outcomes, amplifying morale and reinforcing the importance of human interactions for social causes. 

True impact meets action

With year round initiatives tied to the spirit of giving, Smile Foundation and many leading corporate houses have collaborated for meaningful engagements which has turned small acts into lasting acts of influence. Employees, communities and organisations have wholeheartedly participated in creating social change that paves way for a better future. Some of the examples are–

  1. Over 250 Adobe employees came together to craft eco-friendly clay idols, an act that transcended mere creativity. Every hand that shaped the clay left an imprint not just on the idols, but on children’s futures and the environment they will inherit. This was more than a zero-waste initiative—it was a deliberate gesture of responsibility, community, and hope, showing how small, mindful actions ripple into profound change.
  1. Team Dyson spent a day at our Mission Education Centre where they painted shoes, shared stories, and created moments of pure joy with children. Each brushstroke carried a message of care, each smile became a memory, and each interaction quietly transformed lives. In these simple yet deliberate acts, we see how togetherness can awaken hearts, inspire minds, and leave lasting impressions far beyond a single day.

  1. Through the Build a Bike Challenge, Smile Foundation and Wells Fargo volunteers exemplified the art of meaningful engagement. Beyond assembling bicycles, employees forged connections, inspired children, and infused joy and care into the process showing how deliberate initiatives can convert teamwork into lasting social and emotional impact.

Turn Engagement into Impact

In today’s business world, employee engagement is no longer a peripheral activity, it is a strategic necessity. Companies that align their workforce with meaningful purpose unlock not just productivity, but influence, loyalty, and cultural strength. 

Keeping this in mind, Smile Foundation demonstrates how strategically designed initiatives—spanning education, skilling, sustainability, and community development—can transform employees into architects of meaningful impact. 

When these engagements are woven into festivals, they transcend routine participation, creating moments that leave lasting impressions on both beneficiaries and employees. Such initiatives inspire, delight, and embed profound fulfilment, embodying the alchemy of purposeful engagement where personal satisfaction, social impact, and organisational advantage converge into a single, potent force.

Join us to transform employee engagement from routine to remarkable. Together, let’s harness the year-round joy of giving to create a masterstroke of collective impact—uplifting children, empowering communities, and inspiring your employees.

Sources —

What Is Employee Engagement, and How Do You Improve It?

Why organisations should invest in employee engagement

Corporate Advocacy of Social Issues Can Drive Employee Engagement

Social Impact Through Employee Engagement

Higher Employee Engagement through Social Intelligence: A Perspective of Indian Scenario

The importance of social interaction at work and beyond

A Guide to the 5 Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need

Categories
CSR

CSR initiatives of Aviation Industry: Empowering Through Wings

For many of us, the dream of touching the sky was sparked by iconic movies like Top Gun. Some of us have been fortunate enough to touch the sky, whether as Air Force pilots, commercial pilots or flight attendants. However, for those from underserved communities who remain trapped in poverty, such dreams often remain out of reach.

India’s Aviation Soars

Over the last few years especially after the pandemic, India’s Aviation Industry has transformed itself into a robust industry. By expanding its International flights and airlines extending their fleet, the Indian Aviation Industry is estimated to surpass US and China, by becoming the world’s third-largest air passenger market by 2030. 

Considering their outstanding growth, this industry has also become one of the most employable fields in today’s times. Therefore, Indian Aviation CSR initiatives can help India in creating an inclusive and sustainable nation, where children, youth and women from low-income groups get an ecosystem encouraging them to develop holistically. 

Corporate Social Responsibility in Aviation 

For a long time, CSR in the aviation industry has focused on tackling air pollution and improving fuel efficiency. These important causes remain a priority, with CSR efforts in India addressing them to ensure a cleaner environment for all.

However, aviation companies have also shown keen interest in supporting other social causes like investing in the development of underserved communities. IndiGo’s- The IndiGoReach initiatives focus on educating children across various states in India. One of its key programmes targets 5,000 students in grades 6 through 10 at 25 rural government schools within the Badgaon and Kurabad blocks of Udaipur district.

The programme provides students with essential academic skills and conceptual understanding while building stronger relationships among students, teachers and parents. Additionally, the IndiGo School Adoption Programme aims to enhance teaching quality and learning experiences, boost digital literacy through the ‘Get Smart’ bus initiative and improve and sustain the infrastructure at 75 government schools.

Vistara and the joy of first-time flying for our children

Another prominent example of CSR activities by the Aviation industry in India has been Vistara’s CSR initiatives with Smile Foundation. By collaborating with the Shiksha Na Ruke Program, Vistara has supported child education through Smile Foundation. Through digital counseling on hygiene, career and mental wellbeing, Vistara has often interacted with our children, contributing to their holistic development. 

Through their CSR efforts, Vistara gave children of Smile Foundation their first flight experience, allowing them to savour the joy of flying and inspiring them to pursue education with the hope of one day sitting in a cockpit.

Given the positive impact of such initiatives, Smile Foundation believes the aviation industry can significantly contribute by directing CSR funds toward providing quality education for underserved children, offering skill training for youth that aligns with the aviation sector and supporting local women in establishing businesses that benefit both their families and the industry.

CSR in Aviation Industry redefining lives- how?

  1. Empowering Education through Scholarships 

Smile Foundation offers exclusive engineering scholarships for girls who are meritorious but due to financial hardships cannot pursue engineering courses. For the engineering course, Smile financially supports beneficiaries, provide digital tools like laptops for a seamless learning experience and assist with placements.

Recognising the demand for engineers in the aviation industry, Smile Foundation believes that investing CSR funds to encourage girls to pursue engineering will not only empower these young lives but also demonstrate corporate solidarity in promoting girl child education in India. Enabling our young girls to pursue highly competitive courses like engineering, aviation companies and social stakeholders like development organisations and government institutions can empower young girls to dream of flying.

2. Youth Development through Vocational Skills Training 

CSR activities by the aviation industry can support our youth in India through Smile Foundation’s STeP programme. This programme upskills them in various vocational courses, including BPO, Retail Management, Core Employability, Healthcare (General Duty Assistance), BFSI and Digital Marketing.

Students are trained for 4 to 6 months, combining theoretical and practical industrial training to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their chosen course. We also provide career counseling, placement support and post-placement assistance to secure and stabilise their livelihoods for years to come.

3. Empowering Women through Business Support 

Aviation industry can align their CSR programmes to empower women through our Swabhiman initiative. By investing in women entrepreneurial skills and supporting their small businesses, the aviation industry shall not only promote the “local for vocal” campaign, but help many women of India earn a livelihood and transform their communities for the better. 

Aviation CSR initiatives with Smile

Aviation industry can extend beyond the skies and deeply impact societal development. By aligning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives with the United Nations’ SDGs, aviation companies have the unique opportunity to create significant change in communities needing help across India.

The sector’s growth and prominence make it an ideal candidate for driving initiatives that empower women, support youth development and provide quality education to those in need. Through targeted programmes such as scholarships for aspiring engineers, vocational training for underserved youth and business support for women entrepreneurs, the aviation industry can help break barriers and create pathways for an equitable society.

By investing in these areas, aviation companies not only increase their social good value but also contribute to the broader goal of national advancement. This dual benefit of—strengthening the industry and uplifting communities out of poverty perils—demonstrates the far-reaching impact of strategic CSR efforts.

As we look to the future, let us harness aviation’s growth to uplift those who have historically been left behind. Together, we can ensure that the dream of touching the sky is no longer a distant dream but a reality for all, inspiring the next generation to reach new heights.

Partner with us to give wings to the dreams of many in rural India

Categories
CSR Partners In Change Partnerships Smile

The 7 Core Dimensions of CSR in India

“Business has a responsibility beyond its basic responsibility to its shareholders; a responsibility to a broader constituency that includes its key stakeholders: customers, employees, NGOs, government – the people of the communities in which it operates.”

Courtney Pratt, Former CEO Toronto Hydro.

Corporate Social Responsibility in India has shifted from being viewed as an obligation to becoming a strategic enabler of sustainable growth. With Section 135 of the Companies Act making CSR mandatory, corporates now leverage purpose-driven NGO partnerships to achieve measurable outcomes. These collaborations embed ethics, innovation and accountability, fostering resilient communities and driving long-term societal transformation. In crux, one can understand the world of CSR through the Caroll’s pyramid of CSR which defines responsibility across four layers- economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic.

CSR and Indian businesses

India’s business landscape experienced a transformation since 1990s. Industries expanded globally, driving impressive growth in sales and market share. Yet, alongside this progress came the realisation that unchecked expansion risked resource overuse and environmental strain. At the same time, as the bond between businesses and consumers deepened, it became clear that this relationship must also extend to supporting the communities that sustain them, thereby contributing to the holistic development of the nation.

  1. Importance of CSR in India
  • Globalisation
    Global trade and integrated supply chains have heightened expectations around fair labour practices, environmental stewardship and community welfare. Forward-looking companies now embrace CSR partnerships not only to comply with emerging regulations but also to build resilience, enhance market access and secure long-term growth.
  • International guidelines
    Global frameworks such as the UN Global Compact and SA8000 encourage corporates to align with universally accepted principles on human rights, the environment and anti-corruption. While advisory, these standards have significantly influenced CSR in India, motivating corporates to collaborate through CSR NGO partnerships that deliver practical, scalable solutions to social challenges.
  • Corporates as brands
    Corporates are no longer isolated economic actors but vital pillars of society. By embedding strategic CSR partnerships into their core, businesses in India are moving beyond traditional philanthropy to drive purposeful, lasting change. This alignment of profitability with social impact not only strengthens corporate reputation but also builds enduring trust with stakeholders.
  1. Strategic alignment with business goals 

As per Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 companies are supposed to allocate 2% of average net profits towards social development. But, if one looks closely, the responsibility is not just monetarily, but in aligning CSR activities with broader business strategies. 

Corporates through CSR partnerships establish a long term investment in sustainability. When companies integrate CSR laws into their core business models, they achieve a dual purpose of contributing to national development while also enforcing their own competitiveness. 

For example, when a healthcare company invests in rural healthcare initiatives under CSR, they not only fulfils compliance but also builds trust within the communities, expands market reach and promotes a healthier customer base. 

CSR is perceived as shared value creation, where profitability and social well being move hand in hand. It strengthens 

  • Brand reputation 
  • Improves stakeholder trust
  • Enhances risk management 

Thereby, proving that structured CSR partnerships with NGOs enable effective last mile delivery and measurable impact.

Handbook on Corporate Social Responsibility in India (Source: PwC)

  1. Community-centric approach 

One of the most critical shifts in Corporate Social Responsibility practice in India has been the movement from top-down philanthropy to co-created community led models of development.  According to the Journal of Business Perspective, 2022 research has shown that CSR initiatives designed with active community participation achieve greater relevance, sustainability and long term acceptance. 

By involving local stakeholders in identifying challenges and shaping solutions, companies design interventions rooted in real needs and cultural contexts, making them more effective and sustainable. This participatory approach then fosters trust, ownership and stewardship, enabling communities to continue initiatives beyond the funding cycles.

On the other hand, NGOs in India play a vital role in bridging the gaps between the grassroot communities and corporates; by translating corporate intent into grassroots action through network and credibility. Thus showcasing that corporates, NGOs and communities can create purpose-driven partnerships that deliver inclusive scalability and ensure social change across India.

  1. Sustainability & environmental responsibility – Focus areas

ESG driven CSR demonstrates that companies integrating environmental, social and governance priorities enhance long term value creation rather than compromise it. Governance strengthens accountability, environmental projects deliver sustainability and the social dimension delivers the most immediate impact on the marginalised communities of India. By investing in the following focus areas, corporates can optimise their CSR goals with long term sustainability. 

  • Education and skill development
    Education unlocks human potential and transforms communities. Initiatives that combine quality learning with vocational training equip children and youth to rise above poverty, secure dignified employment and contribute to society’s progress.
  • Healthcare and sanitation
    Accessible healthcare and sanitation protect both dignity and life. Mobile health units, preventive care and hygiene awareness bring critical services closer to underserved communities, ensuring healthier families and resilient futures.
  • Livelihood enhancement
    Sustainable livelihoods empower individuals with independence and dignity. Skill-building programmes and entrepreneurship opportunities create pathways out of poverty, enabling families to thrive and communities to achieve long-term social and economic stability.
  • Environmental sustainability
    Safeguarding the environment is central to future prosperity. Community-led conservation, water stewardship and sustainable practices inspire people to live in balance with nature, protecting resources for generations to come.
  • Women’s health and empowerment
    When women thrive, communities prosper. Focused interventions in nutrition, healthcare, education and skills give women the tools to lead healthier lives, access opportunities and uplift families and entire communities.
  1. Scalability and innovation

Smart CSR enabled by data and technology drives transparency and measurable outcomes. This systemic approach enables corporates to scale solutions, replicate success and address root causes of social challenges. By aligning innovation with impact, CSR in India is now evolving towards a future ready ecosystem delivering sustainable and verifiable results. 

For example, tech-enabled CSR solutions are transforming impact delivery with AI enhancing education and healthcare while digital financial inclusion fosters equitable and sustainable growth

  1. Impact measurement and transparency

Impact measurement in CSR is evolving through technology with AI enabling precise data collection, real time monitoring and transparent reporting. For business and communities, this integration ensures accountability, drives efficiency and scales sustainable solutions making technology-driven impact assessment integral to purpose led growth in India’s CSR landscape

  1. Emerging trends in CSR and CSR partnerships

Corporate Social Responsibility in India has matured from philanthropy into a strategic tool for community transformation. To remain effective, corporates must align with emerging CSR trends that shape long-term impact:

  • Shift to strategic CSR partnerships – Moving beyond transactional funding towards long-term, systemic collaborations, strengthened by ESG–CSR convergence and transparent sustainability disclosures.
  • Digital CSR – Leveraging e-learning, telehealth and digital skilling to expand reach and inclusion.
  • Geographic expansion – Extending CSR initiatives into Tier 2/3 cities and rural communities for deeper social development.
  • Thematic priorities – Health, women’s empowerment, STEM education, scholarships for girls and skill development as focus areas.
  • Employee volunteering – Embedding purpose and ownership within corporate culture, amplifying community impact.

Enabling strategic CSR impact with Smile

Anchored in its Lifecycle Model, Smile Foundation drives holistic development through 400+ CSR partnerships in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and livelihoods. With over 2 million beneficiaries nationwide, initiatives like Mission Education, Swabhiman, STeP and Health Cannot Wait deliver measurable impact, fostering sustainable growth, empowerment and systemic community transformation across India.

Few of our Key partnerships 

  • Education (STEM & Learning Enhancement)
    Partner:
    Abbott India Limited
    Under the Mission Education programme, Abbott supports STEM education in eight additional schools, benefiting approximately 2,200 students through improved learning environments and digital classrooms. 
  • Education and Digital Inclusion
    Partner:
    WSP
    Collaborated to educate 400 children across Bangalore and Noida via blended learning formats under Mission Education, expanding access to quality education.
  • Scholarships for Girls in Engineering
    Partner: Quantiphi
    Launched an Engineering Scholarship Project for Girls, empowering 22 meritorious, underserved students in computer science and engineering through tuition support and employability training.
  • Skill Development and Livelihoods
    Partner:
    Macleods Pharmaceuticals
    Supported the establishment of two STeP vocational training centres in Mumbai, boosting employability for 280 underprivileged youth, especially in retail and soft skills. 
  • Healthcare and Sanitation
    Partner:
    GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Asia Pvt Ltd
    Through the Smile on Wheels mobile medical units, this CSR collaboration delivers free dental check-ups and oral-health awareness to underserved communities nationwide.

In conclusion, the seven core dimensions of CSR in India must be central when defining future CSR goals. By engaging in credible CSR–NGO partnerships, businesses can demonstrate how responsibility evolves into systemic, long-term community transformation. Strategic collaboration ensures scalability, transparency and measurable results.

Equally important is embracing emerging CSR trends to remain future-ready. By partnering with purpose-driven NGOs such as Smile Foundation, corporates can transcend compliance, creating meaningful impact that drives sustainable growth, strengthens communities and enhances corporate reputation.

Partner to achieve purpose-led progress. Click here: https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/corporate-partnership/

Categories
Smile CSR

Redefining Hospitality with Impact-Driven CRM

Today’s discerning travellers are no longer influenced by luxury alone – they actively seek experiences rooted in purpose, sustainability and social responsibility. In response, the industry is turning to cause-related marketing (CRM) aligning brand identity with meaningful social impact. This marks the rise of impact-driven hospitality, where conscious consumption is reshaping how travel brands connect with their audiences.

With the global sustainable tourism market projected to grow to USD 7.19 trillion by 2032, CRM is fast becoming a key competitive differentiator. Brands that embed social purpose into their business model are earning greater relevance, and also deepening relationships with conscious consumers.

India’s tourism and hospitality landscape

India’s tourism and hospitality sector is poised for exponential growth, with expected revenues surpassing US$ 59 billion by 2038 and foreign tourist arrivals estimated to reach 30.5 million. Ministry of Tourism reports that the industry is growing at a 20% CAGR, fuelled primarily by an expanding middle-income demographic.

Indian consumers are gravitating towards travel experiences that mirror their values – whether through sustainable tourism, wellness retreats, experiential journeys, staycations, women-led travels, solo traveling or visits to offbeat destinations. It’s a chance for brands to shift from purely transactional relationships to becoming emotionally relevant in their customers’ lives.

Travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations anymore – it’s about meaning. By weaving cause-driven campaigns into today’s travel trends, brands have a chance to make every kind of trip a little more purposeful, and a whole lot more memorable.

The case for CRM in Indian hospitality

In a world where travellers are choosing meaning over mere miles, cause-related marketing gives brands a chance to stand for something bigger. For India’s travel and hospitality scene, infusing social purpose into the guest experience, when done authentically, can boost not just brand love, but real impact too. Think stronger connections, higher perceived value and a better brand fit with what today’s conscious travellers truly care about.

  • Build emotional equity
  • Inspire deeper consumer loyalty
  • Position themselves as purposeful industry leaders
  • Deliver value-driven hospitality experiences

How can this be achieved?

Adoption of CRM

CRM fosters transparency and trust by linking business growth with social responsibility. It empowers brands to form long-term, emotionally anchored relationships with their audience.

Example: A luxury hotel chain could launch a CRM campaign supporting education for girls in tribal regions, where every booking contributes to a classroom seat-
“Your comfortable room gives her the chance to enter a classroom.”

Consumer Response

When brands champion a cause, consumers are not only drawn to the brand, but also feel personally invested in the cause itself. This dual affinity enhances trust and positive brand sentiment. 

Example: An airline partners with an NGO to plant a tree for every domestic booking, reinforcing its commitment to carbon offsetting and environmental stewardship.

Positive Brand Outcomes

CRM strengthens brand attitudes, boosts campaign participation, increases purchase intentions and builds brand loyalty, particularly among impact-oriented consumers. As per a survey of 637 consumers, it was observed that cause related marketing made a significant positive impact on consumer brand engagement.

Example: Hospitality brands offering welcome kits or hygiene essentials crafted by local women entrepreneurs can boost guest satisfaction, encourage social sharing, and create long-lasting brand advocates.

Consumer Brand Engagement

CRM stimulates deeper emotional, cognitive and behavioural engagement, encouraging customers to champion the brand beyond monetary transactions.

Example: Brands can integrate their CRM through NGOs in India for rural immersion programmes where members engage with local artisans or health workers to form a bond between customers, brand and the cause. 

Enhanced Consumer Perceived Value 

Consumer Perceived Value (CPV) is the perceived benefit from a product or service, beyond its functional utility – it includes emotional resonance, social contribution and brand purpose playing a role. When consumers see brands actively doing good, they perceive higher value in their purchase.

Example: Hospitality brands can integrate menstrual hygiene workshops for adolescent girls in villages, aligning health and well being with their brand goals, giving guests a more meaningful stay.

Strategic focus areas for CRM-driven impact

The travel and hospitality industry uniquely engages consumers through direct, personal experiences. This proximity makes their relationship with both customers and local communities central to operations. By integrating cause-related marketing (CRM) focused on social issues relevant to their consumers’ environments, brands can transform tourism into purpose-driven journeys creating lasting impact for communities while building meaningful brand value.

  1. Education for economically deprived children 

By aligning with CRM for education, hospitality and travel brands can support schooling for marginalised children of rural villages. This can showcase their commitment towards transforming leisure stays into life changing learning opportunities for young minds of India. 

  1. Women’s skilling and employment 

Through CRM, brands can empower women in nearby communities by funding skill building in hospitality and travel industry enabling dignity, employment and generational change through every guest experience

  1. Enhance rural healthcare access

Through CRM driven partnerships, brands can fund mobile healthcare units in remote or off beat destinations, building critical rural healthcare gaps while aligning brand presence with measurable social impact.

  1. Sustainability for everyone 

Integrating CRM with sustainability in terms of nutritious local harvesting, brands can co-create kitchen gardens, nurturing both community health and a brand narrative rooted in good health for the underserved communities of India. 

Enabling Purpose-led growth: Smile’s CRM capabilities

  • Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited) supports Smile Foundation through its Payroll Giving Programme, enabling employees to voluntarily contribute a fixed monthly amount. These contributions directly aid Smile Foundation’s interventions in education, healthcare and livelihood development, fostering sustained impact through collective employee participation.
  • Another key CRM activity was done by Holiday Inn with Smile Foundation, where children at the Education centre in Gurugram enjoyed a joyful day of games, engaging activities and Secret Santa surprises creating meaningful brand-connected moments of laughter, celebration and shared happiness.
  • Through its cause-related marketing partnership with Bag2Bag, Smile Foundation converts each customer transaction into real impact. Every checkout at Bag2Bag offers ₹7 to support children’s education and community development in underserved regions across India.

Partner now 

In India’s hospitality sector, cause-related marketing is evolving into a strategic approach to building purpose-driven brand engagement. It is no longer limited to charitable donations or one-off campaigns. As tourism becomes increasingly experience-led, consumers are actively seeking brands that reflect their values and contribute meaningfully to society. When thoughtfully implemented, CRM can strengthen emotional connections with travellers, improve brand loyalty and deliver measurable social impact – all while aligning business objectives with broader societal goals.

With deep grassroots expertise, Smile Foundation offers customised CRM solutions that align brand purpose with on-ground impact ensuring every partnership delivers value for both business and community.

Collaborate with Smile Foundation to make every booking count. Let’s co-create journeys that leave a lasting impact.

Categories
Smile CSR Education Partners In Change

Storytelling drives child education in villages

Digital tools, slick storytelling formats and gamified content are reshaping what it means to learn in 21st-century India. In classrooms outfitted with smartboards or, more often, in makeshift learning spaces on mobile phones children are no longer passive recipients of knowledge. Teachers, too, are adjusting their roles, while parents navigate new expectations.

Yet for every student swept up in this transformation, many more are being left behind. Patchy internet, device shortages and an education system still tethered to rote learning mean that the promise of immersive, future-ready education remains elusive for millions.

India stands at a pivotal juncture: the digital age has cracked open new possibilities for learning. But unless policymakers, technologists and educators confront the structural inequities that persist, the gap between potential and reality may only deepen.

Child education in India: Is modern learning inclusive?

India’s education landscape is being reimagined. A new emphasis on progressive pedagogy is encouraging schools and parents to move beyond the narrow metrics of academic achievement, toward something more expansive — an education that fosters critical thinking, emotional intelligence, leadership and a sense of self in a fast-changing world.

In theory, this marks a long-overdue shift. But the bigger question looms: who is this transformation really reaching?

Across India’s rural heartlands, where over 1.26 million schools operate, the ambition is palpable. Government schemes from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to Samagra Shiksha and PM e‑Vidya promise inclusive classrooms, digital tools, library upgrades and skills for a future economy. The official narrative speaks of equity, access and innovation.

But the lived reality is more uneven. Patchy infrastructure, overstretched teachers and socio-economic barriers continue to hold back millions of children especially girls, first-generation learners, and those in remote areas. While some students absorb coding through tablets, others still struggle to access textbooks or electricity.

The gap isn’t just digital. It’s systemic.

Bridging it will require calls for deeper alignment between governments, corporate players and community-led organisations to ensure that modern education doesn’t just remain an urban privilege, but becomes a shared national asset. One where every child, regardless of geography or background, has a real shot at learning in a way that is inclusive, holistic and genuinely transformative.

The ground reality 

A key hurdle in rural education today lies not in ambition, but in infrastructure. According to recent reports, nearly 60% of government schools in rural India lack functional internet connectivity. One in three schools is still without even the most basic digital tools such as projectors or smart boards making it nearly impossible for modern teaching methods to take root. In these classrooms, the promise of digital learning remains just a promise, and not yet a reality.

Modern learning in rural schools

Children in rural India remain at a stark disadvantage that carries profound implications for the country’s future. By 2027, an estimated 69 million new jobs are expected to emerge globally. Without urgent and sustained intervention, a generation of children from less privileged communities risks being shut out of this evolving opportunity landscape.

Bridging this divide requires more than textbooks and classrooms. It calls for an education system that nurtures cognitive agility, emotional resilience and practical life skills — tools as essential as literacy in navigating the future. This is where modern educational tools come in, not as luxuries, but as vital instruments towards building a safer, more inclusive future for every child.

  1. Storytelling 

This has always been central to how children learn and remember. A 21st century classroom reimages this age-old method through digital storytelling – using videos, interactive flip books and gamified storytelling to explain complex concepts in simple and relatable ways

Research highlights that digital storytelling not only sparks creativity but also improves retention, motivation and deeper lesson engagement. For example, a story based history lesson enables children to “live through” events while a narrative driven science experiment can abstract concepts vividly. 

  1. Read-alouds and interactive content 

Read-aloud sessions were seen as a cornerstone of early child education which today have evolved into interactive digital formats. Today, children can listen to stories brought alive by AI-powered voices or choose how a character’s journey unfolds through interactive polls and clickable story paths. 

In India, where language diversity is vast, digital read-aloud tools also provide multilingual access, ensuring rural and urban children alike can learn in their mother tongue. This aligns with findings from the World Economic Forum (2024), which stresses rekindling curiosity through play-based and interactive tools that allow children to ask, explore and discover.

  1. Flip books and visual tools 

Traditional flip books and comics are being reinvested as microlearning modules. Imagine a child in a rural school accessing a digital flip book that demonstrates each step of a science experiment or a visual timeline that makes Indian history easy to understand and remember. 

Visual storytelling enables children to learn at their own pace, bridging the comprehension gap often caused by rigid textbook teaching. Child education in India, where students frequently encounter first-generation learning barriers, therefore, tools such as flip books can enhance discovery and quick grasping. 

  1. Digital tools and personalised leaning

The most transformative shift comes from personalised learning which is supported by digital platforms. Research states that adaptive learning does not promise equality in output but ensures adequacy that every child gains the competencies necessary to thrive, regardless of starting point. 

  • 75% of students feel more engaged in a personalised learning environment compared to just 30% in traditional ones.
  •  Personalised content recommendations boosted engagement by 60%
  1. Teachers driving change

Teachers equipped with the modern pedagogical skills, digital tools and activity based methods establish a closer relationship with their students. With constant classroom engagements the learning outcomes also boots, but also empowers teachers with confidence, adaptability and professional growth creating a strong future ready education ecosystem in India

 Learning with Smile

Child education in India faces persistent challenges of inequity, digital divides and limited access to quality learning environments. Smile Foundation, through its Mission Education programme is working to transform this landscape by aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and global priorities such as Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), tech enabled learning and lifelong education. 

With over 1,20,00 children across 27 states, the foundation adopts a four-pronged approach-

  • Child centric
  • Teacher centric
  • Enabling learning environment
  • Community engagement 

To ensure that children not only access education but also benefit from holistic development.

Our mission is to build inclusive, engaging and technology‑enabled classrooms that nurture holistic learning. Through impact‑driven corporate partnerships, we believe child education in India can be reimagined, delivering opportunities that go far beyond textbooks, empowering every child to learn, grow and thrive.

Partner with Smile Foundation to co-create scalable and sustainable education models that empower every child to learn, thrive and be successful.

Sources 

Innovative Education Methods: Transforming Teaching and Learning

https://ace.edu/blog/innovative-education-methods-transforming-teaching-and-learning

Digital Storytelling: A Powerful Technology Tool for the 21st Century Classroom

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249901075_Digital_Storytelling_A_Powerful_Technology_Tool_for_the_21st_Century_Classroom

Rural Education – Integral to India’s progress

https://www.ibef.org/blogs/rural-education-integral-to-india-s-progress

Annual Status of Education Report 2024

Bringing back curiosity: How digital tools can help us rethink education

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/bringing-back-curiosity-how-we-can-use-digital-tools-to-rethink-education
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