5 post-COVID trends from Indian entrepreneurs

5 post-COVID trends from Indian entrepreneurs

India’s MSME sector contributes to nearly one-third of its GDP. However, the sector is particularly vulnerable to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic because they typically have fewer resources than large businesses.

The World Economic Forum conducted a study with 107 Indian entrepreneurs to understand how they have navigated the pandemic and found five prominent trends in their businesses.

Among these trends is a significant rise in social entrepreneurship in India and an emergence of support structures for small businesses. Samhita-CGF’s REVIVE Alliance is one such facility that is utilising blended and grant-based financing models to support informal sector entrepreneurs during the pandemic.

Hyderabad City establishes its first FSTP with the support of CSR, promoting Citywide Inclusive Sanitation

Hyderabad City establishes its first FSTP with the support of CSR, promoting Citywide Inclusive Sanitation

The Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Government of Telangana, K. T. Rama Rao, inaugurated Hyderabad’s first Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), set up by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).

This public-private initiative is supported by HDFC Limited through its philanthropic arm, the H T PAREKH FOUNDATION and facilitated by Samhita & Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).  

The Minister also flagged off 87 septic tank trucks and said that two more FSTPs located in Nagaram and Injapur would be operational in the coming days.

Bringing humanity to the boardroom

Bringing humanity to the boardroom

In 2014, India became the first country in the world to mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending. CSR in India isn’t about making one-time charitable donations – it has a higher purpose of giving back to the community and creating positive social change. The mandate has made Indian corporates think more proactively about social issues in India and focus their ideas of business responsibility and purpose.

In this article, ADP Rethink traces the evolution of CSR in India as it goes from being a regulation to redefining corporate citizenship.

UNDP India joins hands with Samhita-CGF’s REVIVE to restore livelihoods affected by COVID-19

UNDP India joins hands with Samhita-CGF’s REVIVE to restore livelihoods affected by COVID-19

This partnership will provide technical assistance such as business advisory, capacity building, digital skills, and market linkages, in addition to ensuring better and equal access to social protection systems for the informal sector workers.

Decoding CSR Amendments 2021

Decoding CSR Amendments 2021

Initiating discussions to decode the CSR Amendments 2021, Samhita Social Ventures and Noshir Dadrawala, Programme Director at the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy cohosted a webinar and engaged with over 150 representatives of companies, philanthropic trusts and foundations on 3 February 2021.

UN Women launches Unstereotype Alliance’s India Chapter

UN Women launches Unstereotype Alliance’s India Chapter

Today, the Unstereotype Alliance launches the India national chapter with a coalition formed to tackle harmful stereotypes advertising with support from EU funded WeEmpowerAsia Programme. The Alliance will center its work in India on broadening the representation of women and girls in non-traditional roles in advertising with a focus on women returning to the workforce..

Bringing the focus back on mask wearing With #PehnoSahi

Bringing the focus back on mask wearing With #PehnoSahi

To re-emphasise the importance of wearing masks in the fight against COVID-19, the India Protectors Alliance (IPA), is bringing together Samhita Social Ventures, RBL Bank, Crompton Greaves, IKEA India, Pernod Ricard India Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Professional and other companies and foundations, to initiate India’s first cross-brand mask engagement – #PehnoSahi.

Meet These 5 Women Entrepreneurs Who are Pioneers in the Social Sector

Meet These 5 Women Entrepreneurs Who are Pioneers in the Social Sector

Women are increasingly taking up leadership roles in the social sector with aims to bring about various positive changes in society. Setting aside profit making as key drivers of business, these women entrepreneurs have founded social enterprises that prioritise impact over profits. 

All of us here at Samhita are extremely proud of our Founder & CEO Priya Naik for being featured in Makers India’s list of women entrepreneurs who are pioneers in the social sector. Click below to read more about women who are redefining social impact in India.

Need of a stimulus package for NGOs

Need of a stimulus package for NGOs

The year 2020 has been a difficult year for NGOs in India (not just because of the pandemic) and the next year also potentially appears to be a difficult one. “Most NGOs are heavily reliant on their funders and with institutional funding drying up this year, several NGOs, especially the smaller ones, have suffered a lot”, said Priya Naik