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Case Study
Collaboration
Credit Gaurantee
CSR
Digital Empowerment
Financial inclusion
Health
Livelihoods
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Returnable Grant
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REVIVE Diaries
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WASH
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Women @ Work

Blended Finance

Blended Finance Continum
The Blended Finance Continuum: A Catalytic Pathway for Financial Inclusion

In India, the informal sector represents a significant portion of the workforce, employing more than 90% of workers and contributing

Using Blended Finance to sustain informal workers during Covid-19
REVIVE is providing zero cost Returnable Grants and skill training to help India's workers bounce back from the most severe
Can the Microcredit Model Be Improved?
Can we modify or extend certain aspects of the microfinance model to achieve better outcomes for recipients?
Innovative lending practices can improve traditional microfinance
Research on the traditional microfinance model reveals the alterations that can be made to further small businesses and welfare gains.

Case Study

Creating the Hygiene Culture: Impact of Dettol School Hygiene Program
Samhita & Collective Good Foundation partnered with Reckitt Benckiser to launched the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme in the Indian
DHFL|How to explore potential and unlock demographic advantage
DHFL wanted to invest their CSR funds in such a way that they can address critical gaps in 3 cause
VIACOM18 | How to impact through the media lens
How Viacom18 utilized storytelling to create lasting impact in a society that has long been captured by the screen.
Kimberly Clark | Making lives better through purpose driven brands
How Kimberly Clark impacted lives of 2000+ women and children
Reckitt Benckiser | How to leverage core competencies to create impact
How RB took a shared value approach and unlocked advantages for both business and society
India Protectors Alliance – Catalytic achievements with the support of HUL, BMGF and RBL Bank
India Protectors Alliance was constituted in early 2020 to equip workers in healthcare and sanitation sectors with the necessary tools

Collaboration

How India Inc can craft an effective response to the pandemic
Analysing the opportunities that Indian corporates can explore to play a creative role in rebuilding our economy and society as
Development through community participation
Community participation and acceptance are critical in ensuring the success of CSR programs
Pharmacists

There are approximately 8,00,000 pharmacies in India with a compounded  annual growth rate of 10.08% in the organized sector. As

Oxygen for India: SBI Foundation and Samhita-CGF provide oxygen concentrators in critical districts
Samhita and CGF collaborate with SBI Foundation’s Project Breath Free to provide oxygen concentrators and other equipment to hospitals in
Not All Superheroes Wear a Cape
Sole bread-winner Valarmathi Thangaswami, a 55-year-old sanitation worker from Trichy, works to support her struggling son despite all the hurdles
Collaborating against COVID-19: Rallying global support to vaccinate India
Through strategic partnerships, Global India Fund, Samhita, and Collective Good Foundation fight to ensure equity in the world’s largest vaccination

Credit Gaurantee

How India Inc can craft an effective response to the pandemic
Analysing the opportunities that Indian corporates can explore to play a creative role in rebuilding our economy and society as
Development through community participation
Community participation and acceptance are critical in ensuring the success of CSR programs
Pharmacists

There are approximately 8,00,000 pharmacies in India with a compounded  annual growth rate of 10.08% in the organized sector. As

Oxygen for India: SBI Foundation and Samhita-CGF provide oxygen concentrators in critical districts
Samhita and CGF collaborate with SBI Foundation’s Project Breath Free to provide oxygen concentrators and other equipment to hospitals in
Not All Superheroes Wear a Cape
Sole bread-winner Valarmathi Thangaswami, a 55-year-old sanitation worker from Trichy, works to support her struggling son despite all the hurdles
Collaborating against COVID-19: Rallying global support to vaccinate India
Through strategic partnerships, Global India Fund, Samhita, and Collective Good Foundation fight to ensure equity in the world’s largest vaccination

CSR

India Inc buckles up to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Priya Naik and Dr. Nachiket Mor illustrate the virtuous cycle of mutual benefit that can be created between business and
Uttarakhand Bio-toilet initiative
Uttarakhand Bio-toilet initiative
Setting up environment friendly bio-toilets to eliminate open defecation practice.
Investing CSR in Incubators – A Unique Model of Partnership
Samhita, and Villgro, elaborate on facilitating partnerships between companies and incubators and social enterprises(SEs). Read on
Optimising CSR for Rural Development
Analysis on the challenges and opportunities for CSR in rural development.
Development through community participation
Community participation and acceptance are critical in ensuring the success of CSR programs
Update to Indian NGO Bright Spots Report reveals important lessons learned for fundraising during the pandemic
We have updated our 2020 report with new information about how to go about diversifying your funding and building your

Digital Empowerment

From Opportunity to Success: Microsoft’s Holistic Approach to Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

When it comes to keeping up with the digital age, women in India face several challenges, which have a significant

The Need for Partnership: Empowering Women-led Businesses through Collaboration

  In this series, we delve on the key lessons from the Samhita -Collective Good Foundation (Samhita-CGF) and Microsoft Project

Kirana Store Owners

Around 13-17 million kirana stores form an integral part of the retail industry in India and local economy in various

Tracing the trajectory of COVID-hit digital India
The COVID-19 crisis has affected livelihoods and brought income shocks to the working classes. This shock has been accompanied by

Financial inclusion

How India Inc can craft an effective response to the pandemic
Analysing the opportunities that Indian corporates can explore to play a creative role in rebuilding our economy and society as
4 C's Framework for Pre-Credit Score
Empowering the Underbanked through the Innovative Pre-Credit Score Initiative

In a world striving for new innovations in pursuing holistic financial inclusion, Samhita-CGF takes a bold step forward with its

Financial Inclusion – Key to Economic & Social Development

Priya Naik, Founder and Managing Director of Samhita Social Ventures emphasizes on financial inclusion as the key to economic and

Govt, business, civil society must implement direct cash transfers to avoid ‘society-wide poverty trap’, says Noble Laureate Esther Duflo

Esther Duflo, 2019 Nobel laureate, on Monday said that it is essential for government, business, and NGO stakeholders to focus

Can the Microcredit Model Be Improved?
Can we modify or extend certain aspects of the microfinance model to achieve better outcomes for recipients?
Innovative lending practices can improve traditional microfinance
Research on the traditional microfinance model reveals the alterations that can be made to further small businesses and welfare gains.

Health

Creating the Hygiene Culture: Impact of Dettol School Hygiene Program
Samhita & Collective Good Foundation partnered with Reckitt Benckiser to launched the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme in the Indian
How India Inc can craft an effective response to the pandemic
Analysing the opportunities that Indian corporates can explore to play a creative role in rebuilding our economy and society as
Implementing the SDGs for Women’s Health using a Global Approach
oal of reproductive health for all by 2015. Although universal agendas set the tone for progress in the allied areas,
Empowering Women through gender inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health & Family Planning projects

Improving sexual and family health and well-being within communities starts with engaging both females and males. Traditionally, females have been

Inclusive Health of Women: Building a case for corporate engagement with Sexual and Reproductive Health
VID-19 pandemic challenged the planning capacity, efficiency, effectiveness, and preparedness of the global public health systems. With increased socio-economic insecurities
What Will It Take For the Covid-19 Vaccine To Succeed?
We need adaptable and accessible communication strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and vaccine indifference in the most vulnerable sections of

Livelihoods

Protecting human capital to emerge from the crisis
Corporate leaders recommend fortified social security provisions for gig economy workers.
Women Artisans

COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown severely impacted artisans across the country. A KPMG study estimated that approximately 7.3 million people

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
The most vulnerable dictate the strength of our value chains
While we take a fresh look at how we innovate in value chains, they need to be understood from the
Freedom to earn a livelihood with dignity
The corporate sector holds the potential and responsibility to change the dynamics within which workers operate.

Monitoring and Evaluation (MEL)

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Unveiling the Women Economic Empowerment Index

To push towards sustainable development goals, the voice and agency of women are catalysts for change and progress. Recognizing this,

Impact Assessments are top priority – What do the new CSR rules say
This FAQ is a result of collaboration between Samhita & Centre For Advancement of Philanthropy. It has been written with
Impact Assessment Needs To Move Away From ‘Output’ To ‘Outcome’

As companies’ CSR and sustainability strategies are growing more sophisticated, they are demanding better measurement and evaluation of the impact

Outcomes vs Impact
Outcomes vs Impact: Assessing Implementation
Programme evaluation, often misrepresented as ‘impact assessment’, has become an essential component of many development initiatives
Impact Assessment

As India’s leading CSR consulting and implementation facilitation firm, our strategic consulting, research and knowledge, programme management, need and impact

Reports

Update to Indian NGO Bright Spots Report reveals important lessons learned for fundraising during the pandemic
We have updated our 2020 report with new information about how to go about diversifying your funding and building your
Samhita’s Report on Social Stock Exchanges from 7 Countries
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved the creation of the ‘Social Stock Exchange’ which is widely perceived
Future of Pharmacies: Creating a Better Normal for Community Health
Knowledge and project collaboration with Cipla and NIIF to tap into the enormous potential of pharmacists as a key driver
Indian NGO Fundraising “Bright Spots” Report: Lifting Up What Works in Raising Money from Individuals in India
This report is Part II of a research project by UC Berkeley Director of Philanthropy and Fulbright Scholar Morry Rao
Creating a Truly “Social” Stock Exchange
This report reviews 7 SSEs from Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Jamaica, UK, Singapore, & Canada to provide the most comprehensive
Indian Giving Benchmarking Report
This report helps fill a gap in the knowledge base about what NGOs are doing, and what is working, in

Research And Knowledge

CSR Trends & Opportunities in India: 2021
Samhita has collaborated with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to study CSR approaches, opportunities, and challenges in India. This
Are We Moving Towards a Truly ‘Social’ Stock Exchange?
SEBI recently approved the creation of India’s social stock exchange. We analyse some of the strengths and shortcomings of its

Returnable Grant

The REVIVE Alliance – Creating A Sustainable Future For India’s Informal Sector

  India’s informal sector makes up a significant portion of the country’s workforce ~43% and provides employment opportunities for millions,

Blended Finance Continum
The Blended Finance Continuum: A Catalytic Pathway for Financial Inclusion

In India, the informal sector represents a significant portion of the workforce, employing more than 90% of workers and contributing

Frequently Asked Questions: Compliance & The Returnable Grant

Returnable Grants (RGs) have emerged as a transformative financial instrument, driving economic empowerment and livelihood for vulnerable communities. A Returnable

Amplifying Impact: The Multiplier Effect of Returnable Grants in Financial and Social Transformation

Returnable Grants (RGs) have revolutionized the landscape of financing and social impact, providing leverage from a funding perspective while creating

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

The COVID – 19 lockdown has adversely impacted the most vulnerable sections of society, such as informal workers, farmers, street

Street Vendors

When a nationwide lockdown was announced, it immediately had a harsh effect on street vendors. An almost empty city without

REVIVE

Our Private Healthcare System’s COVID-19 response can make or break India’s future
Experts stress the importance of organising and fortifying the private healthcare system’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
How will India’s informal sector emerge from the pandemic?
The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have upended India’s informal job market. But are there positives from the crisis?
Protecting human capital to emerge from the crisis
Corporate leaders recommend fortified social security provisions for gig economy workers.
Financial literacy in
Small-Scale Financial Literacy Projects: Catalysts for Transformation

Financial literacy has long been recognized as a key driver of economic growth and prosperity. This blog delves into the

The REVIVE Alliance – Creating A Sustainable Future For India’s Informal Sector

  India’s informal sector makes up a significant portion of the country’s workforce ~43% and provides employment opportunities for millions,

Women At Work In New India
Samhita-CGF & FCDO undertook a study that analysed the pandemic experiences of women workers and entrepreneurs across professions in India.

REVIVE Diaries

Empowering women farmers and FPOs: Samhita-CGF’s initiative supported by Walmart Foundation

Farmers in Maharashtra face severe challenges, particularly smallholder farmers, who make up 78% of the farming population and own less

Grassroots farmer communities championing climate resilience!

Background As per the state level data of 2023,1088 farmers tragically ended their lives in eight districts of Marathwada, Maharashtra’s

Mobilising Resources for Women Entrepreneurs: The Women Entrepreneurship Development Program

In today’s rapidly evolving world, empowering women to embark on entrepreneurial journeys is crucial for driving inclusive economic growth and

Strengthening Communities: Introducing the Four Vital Indices by Samhita-CGF

In the pursuit of comprehensive financial inclusion innovations, Samhita-CGF’s pioneering network alliance is steadfastly working towards addressing the credit gap

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Unveiling the Women Economic Empowerment Index

To push towards sustainable development goals, the voice and agency of women are catalysts for change and progress. Recognizing this,

4 C's Framework for Pre-Credit Score
Empowering the Underbanked through the Innovative Pre-Credit Score Initiative

In a world striving for new innovations in pursuing holistic financial inclusion, Samhita-CGF takes a bold step forward with its

Skilling

STFC: How to drive impact in the line of business
STFC adopted an impact lens for the same sector their financial products and services are aimed at - transportation and
Skilling India: Getting it right | Part II
What companies need to keep in mind to ensure that their skilling programs are effective and impactful.
Skilling the unskilled: Why should companies get involved? | Part I
A look at how companies can align their CSR strategies to the Government’s Skill India Mission.
Bridging the Gap: Skilling Initiatives for a Changing Workforce

In India, the need for skilling initiatives is paramount, as they hold the key to equipping individuals with the essential

Samhita–CGF partners with AMHSSC to aid 50,000 women to create thriving livelihood pathways
Through this partnership, Samhita - CGF will enable livelihood linkages of 50,000 women to manufacturing units of large corporate houses, and support
Sanitation Workers

There are more than five million full-time sanitation workers of which two million are directly engaged in high-risk tasks such

Stories of Change

For His Family’s Happiness
Daud Shaikh, who loves his family and constantly travels across State lines to spend time with them, recently realised how
The Dreams of an 18-Year-Old Migrant Worker
Ibrahim wants to earn more money, get a better job, and have a family, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made
Creating a PAN Card Creates Value For Us
Sudam Kumar, who recently received his PAN card, is looking forward to the benefits and support the identity document will
All For Her Daughter
Sonu Kumari, a single mother who works as a construction worker in Uttar Pradesh, discovered that understanding her government scheme
Samhita’s Collection of Stories of Change
Change is often hard to measure through statistics and numbers. Here, stories of change bring light to the real lives
The Life-Saving Labour Card
Construction worker Kundan Prasad is thankful to have had a labour card before the onset of the pandemic, because it

WASH

Creating the Hygiene Culture: Impact of Dettol School Hygiene Program
Samhita & Collective Good Foundation partnered with Reckitt Benckiser to launched the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme in the Indian
The key to COVID-19 prevention in slums
The Bridgespan Group and WHO emphasise that community participation is the key to implement any COVID-19 preventive interventions in the
WASH Platform | Wash Grand Challenge (2019)
Building synergistic collaboration between multiple stakeholders from the Private, Development and Government Sectors.
hand wash-sanitation Programme
Implementing sanitation Programme at RB
Samhita talks to Ravi Bhatnagar, Manager External Affairs, Reckitt Benckiser
Sustainable sanitation solutions
The need for sustainable sanitation solutions
Looking beyond toilets to achieve the primary objective of Swachh Bharat mission and end open-defecation in India.
Reckitt Benckiser | How to leverage core competencies to create impact
How RB took a shared value approach and unlocked advantages for both business and society

Women Empowerment

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Unveiling the Women Economic Empowerment Index

To push towards sustainable development goals, the voice and agency of women are catalysts for change and progress. Recognizing this,

From Opportunity to Success: Microsoft’s Holistic Approach to Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

When it comes to keeping up with the digital age, women in India face several challenges, which have a significant

The Need for Partnership: Empowering Women-led Businesses through Collaboration

  In this series, we delve on the key lessons from the Samhita -Collective Good Foundation (Samhita-CGF) and Microsoft Project

Implementing the SDGs for Women’s Health using a Global Approach
oal of reproductive health for all by 2015. Although universal agendas set the tone for progress in the allied areas,
Empowering Women through gender inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health & Family Planning projects

Improving sexual and family health and well-being within communities starts with engaging both females and males. Traditionally, females have been

Inclusive Health of Women: Building a case for corporate engagement with Sexual and Reproductive Health
VID-19 pandemic challenged the planning capacity, efficiency, effectiveness, and preparedness of the global public health systems. With increased socio-economic insecurities

Women @ Work

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Unveiling the Women Economic Empowerment Index

To push towards sustainable development goals, the voice and agency of women are catalysts for change and progress. Recognizing this,

Women At Work In New India
Samhita-CGF & FCDO undertook a study that analysed the pandemic experiences of women workers and entrepreneurs across professions in India.
Women At Work In New India: Narratives of Pandemic-Induced Struggle, Hope, Resilience, Adaptation and Aspiration

https://dev.samhita.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Research-Report_Study-of-Women-at-Work-compressed-1-1-1.pdf

Samhita–CGF partners with AMHSSC to aid 50,000 women to create thriving livelihood pathways
Through this partnership, Samhita - CGF will enable livelihood linkages of 50,000 women to manufacturing units of large corporate houses, and support
A coalition to create a Better Normal for India’s Working Women and Entrepreneurs
Women@Work is a coalition — of businesses, philanthropies, social organisations and other stakeholders — to drive economic recovery and resilience
USAID Administrator Samantha Power launches Women@Work
USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced the U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment and its first initiative: Women@Work.

Impact Assessments are top priority – What do the new CSR rules say

This FAQ is a result of collaboration between Samhita & Centre For Advancement of Philanthropy. It has been written with the guidance of Noshir Dadrawala.

How can CSR and philanthropy respond to the second COVID-19 wave?

From our experience working with frontline workers, communities, state governments and public health experts, we have put together a list of interventions that need immediate attention and investment.

Vaccinating India: How can CSR make a difference?

Challenges that the vaccination drive currently faces and approaches that could help overcome them.

India Protectors Alliance – Catalytic achievements with the support of HUL, BMGF and RBL Bank

India Protectors Alliance was constituted in early 2020 to equip workers in healthcare and sanitation sectors with the necessary tools to pursue livelihood activities safely and lower the risks involved in dealing with COVID-19 response […]

Indian NGO Fundraising “Bright Spots” Report: Lifting Up What Works in Raising Money from Individuals in India

This report is Part II of a research project by UC Berkeley Director of Philanthropy and Fulbright Scholar Morry Rao Hermón, in collaboration with Samhita Social Ventures and the Collective Good Foundation, to help fill […]

Creating a Truly “Social” Stock Exchange

This report reviews 7 SSEs from Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Jamaica, UK, Singapore, & Canada to provide the most comprehensive analysis so far and offer suggestions for India’s Social Stock Exchange

No real cause for concern, says Noshir Dadrawala of CAP on the Finance Minister’s statement on CSR Consultants

Nirmala Sitharaman recently stated that there is no provision of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) consultant in existing Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.

Why the health of sanitation workers needs to be our society’s concern?

Supporting the wellbeing of sanitation workers will go a long way in addressing the humanitarian crisis we have found ourselves in, as well as catering to our own personal and business interests.

Returnable grants: Reimagining credit for a better normal

Returnable Grants are designed to fill a specific gap in India’s credit ecosystem for small businesses: dealing with short term emergency situations or external shocks.

Bringing the focus back on mask wearing With #PehnoSahi

#PehnoSahi is India’s first India’s first cross-brand mask engagement aimed at re-emphasizing the importance of wearing masks in the fight against COVID-19.

The need to care about the care economy

A fresh perspective on livelihoods generated through care work and its socio-economic impact.

Treat sanitation as public good: UN at launch of hygiene fund

The initiative aims to accelerate funding to countries with the heaviest burden of diseases stemming from lack of sanitation services.

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