With a mission to provide global companies with a game-changing planning platform to transform their supply chain, commercial, finance, and sustainability decision-making, o9 Solutions has been bringing together leading-edge technology and industry experts to build the most value-generating enterprise software platform ever created.
At o9 Solutions, social impact is a top priority. The company prides itself on using its innovative technology and business strategies to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change and social inequality. In this exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Carlos Cuyas, Social Impact Lead, o9 Solutions, delves deeper into the organization’s approach to social impact and its plans for the future.
Carlos shares that the organization remains fully dedicated to promoting their social initiatives which revolve around certain significant areas. Their primary objective is to consistently create a positive impact on the diverse communities they serve, via their efforts to ensure fair and equal access to digital resources and technology, thereby empowering people to flourish during this era of digital advancements.
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Q. Please provide an overview of the project “Empowering India's Children: Tech-Enabled Progression Mentoring” that will be supported by the o9 Digital Tomorrow Grant. How does it align with your broader social vision?
A. The “Empowering India’s Children: Tech-Enabled Progression Mentoring” project wants to scale MAD’s transformative progression mentoring program. This program has already proven its ability to enable Children in Need of Care & Protection (CNCP) in India to break free from poverty within a single generation.
By actively engaging the community, MAD ensures that children and young adults receive comprehensive support, including care, education aid, scholarships, living stipends, job placements, and career progression guidance from the ages of 10 to 28. MAD delivers progression mentoring through a community organizing model, empowering young leaders to mobilize community members into active citizens. They do this by forming chapters of 200 volunteers. Each chapter provides free weekly mentoring to 200 vulnerable children. Today, 90% of MAD beneficiaries who go through MAD’s progression mentoring program go to college (as compared with the national average of 15%), and more than 90% are gainfully employed within six months of graduation.
The o9 Digital Tomorrow Grant will allow MAD to build a community management platform to help the organization scale up its program and move from the current 400 beneficiaries in one city to 15,000 beneficiaries, as the platform will simplify and standardize chapter setup. This digital platform includes a gamified digital playbook, analytics for monitoring chapter health and volunteer progress, predictive risk mitigation strategies, and a learning management system. By digitizing playbooks, MAD aims to optimize chapter workload and enable data-driven decision-making. Another crucial benefit of this project will be to use technology to reduce the CO2 cost for running a chapter of 200 children from the current Rs 350 per child a month to Rs 100.
It is the perfect initiative for what we were thinking when launching our first o9 Digital Tomorrow Grant, as it has a clear mission very well aligned with o9’s vision to bridge the digital divide through education and with tangible positive social impact leveraging technology to achieve it.”
Q. What are the long-term goals and outcomes that you aim to achieve through this project?
A. Creating an accessible and scalable SaaS platform for MAD beneficiaries will have a clear positive impact on the most vulnerable children in India. MAD and o9 aim to empower existing and new chapters, individuals, and organizations outside MAD’s network. This will democratize the process, making MAD's proven model accessible to many.
Q. Please tell us about your broader CSR focus areas and the major initiatives that you have taken so far under each domain.
A. o9 is committed to the environment and its impact on our communities.
Social Impact is one of o9’s core company values, and concretely, o9 is committed to fighting against the Digital Divide by bridging educational disparities and providing underprivileged children with equitable access to quality education, empowering them with the skills, resources, and infrastructure necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
Apart from our o9 Digital Tomorrow Grant, some of our biggest initiatives in this area include:
- A collaboration with India Cares Foundation, Swabhimaan, and VIDYA Integrated Development for Youth and Adults to set up a Computer Learning Center to provide accessible computer education for all the children in one of the urban communities in Bangalore.
- A donation of laptops for Panchayath Union Middle School to celebrate Teachers Day in India. The teachers were trained to use the laptops and the educational resources installed.
- In ‘Q4 2022, o9 made a substantial contribution to Khan Academy to support its hosting costs so that its free education resources could be accessible to 750,000 digital learners across the globe.
Committed to leveling the playing field in the tech industry, we also strive to empower underrepresented communities, with a special focus on women in tech, through initiatives that foster inclusivity, equality, and the creation of pathways to success.
- o9 supported 2 interns from the Microsoft and Tata STRIVE Cybershikshaa program, helping female engineering/MCA graduates from humble backgrounds enter the digital industry.
- o9 has a strategic collaboration with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS). o9 provided B. Tech curriculum books to 15 women engineering colleges in Telangana. Furthermore, o9 funded the complete renovation and donation of equipment, enabling more than 600 girls to access fully equipped and advanced science labs.
- Internally, o9 has recently launched a Lean In circles program for the Women of o9 community in which our employees discuss, exchange, and support each other on different topics. This initiative will allow participants to network, develop, and interact socially.
o9 is equally committed to amplifying employees’ positive social impact by fostering a culture of social responsibility and supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the world. Our WePledge 1% program is committed to fostering employee engagement and social impact by offering matching donations, dollars for doers, and volunteer time off (VTO), empowering our team to contribute meaningfully to the communities we serve. We also mobilize resources and compassion to respond swiftly and effectively to global crises, providing relief and contributing to sustainable recovery efforts.
One of o9’s most popular initiatives is o9 Walks, a global challenge in which we invite all o9ers, their families and friends, and our customers and partners to join o9 in walking as many steps as possible during 30 days. Apart from promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, encouraging everyone to move more sustainably, and highlighting the importance of physical activity for overall well-being, o9 commits to planting a tree for every 50,000 steps collected during the challenge. Last year, o9 celebrated its 3rd edition of o9 Walks with more than 3,000 participants walking a total of 574 million steps, resulting in 11,487 planted trees in partnership with Trees for Water. This project is reforesting a big area in Maharashtra, India, to improve groundwater availability. o9 Walks will return in 2024 in May.
Recently, o9 had its science-based emission reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Submitting, validating, and approving science-based targets are part of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C pledge that o9 has signed in 2021. Specifically, the company has committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2040 from a 2022 base year. As a near-term target, o9 commits to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030, measured against a 2022 baseline year.
Q. Which parameters are considered by o9 Solutions while selecting the projects to support?
A. When selecting a project to support, we always take into consideration the following aspects:
1. Alignment with o9 corporate values and mission. This alignment helps reinforce the company's commitment to specific causes.
2. Impact assessment. We look for projects with measurable outcomes and a clear plan for achieving their goals.
3. Sustainability. We consider projects that have a lasting impact and promote self-sufficiency within a community.
4. Community involvement and collaboration. We look for collaborative efforts with local stakeholders and communities as they are more effective and sustainable.
5. Innovation. As an innovation-driven company, o9 considers projects that bring innovative solutions to social issues.
6. Employee engagement: Involving o9ers in the decision-making process or supporting projects that resonate with employees’ values enhances internal engagement and support for the chosen social impact initiatives.
And, of course, we ensure that the social impact project and the organization behind it operate within legal and ethical frameworks.
Q. Community engagement is usually a crucial element of any successful social initiative. Are there any community engagement programs that you have in place to ensure the full support and participation of the communities that you are working with?
A. We consider community engagement as key to success in our social impact initiatives. To maximize community engagement, we always collaborate with local nonprofits, community groups, and grassroots organizations so they can help foster stronger community ties. As a global company, collaborating with local nonprofits is essential to recognize, respect, and celebrate local cultures and customs, allowing for a more profound impact in each community.
Furthermore, we always offer volunteer opportunities to allow o9ers and other community members to actively contribute to implementing initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. Afterward, recognizing and rewarding community members' contributions can motivate and encourage participation in future social impact initiatives.
Q. Have you come across any challenges or roadblocks in your social projects so far? What strategies do you plan to undertake to address these challenges?
A. One of the most recurring challenges in our programs is impact measurement. Measuring the impact of social initiatives is crucial for evaluating their effectiveness, making informed decisions, and demonstrating accountability to stakeholders. However, it can be challenging to accurately measure the impact of social initiatives and demonstrate tangible results. Social issues are typically influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors, including economic, cultural, environmental, and political variables. Isolating the specific impact of a single intervention amid this complexity can be challenging. Moreover, establishing a direct causal link between a specific intervention and observed outcomes (attribution) can be complicated. Numerous external factors influence social impact, and programs may contribute to, rather than solely cause positive changes.
To address this challenge, we always implement robust monitoring and evaluation systems, utilize key performance indicators (KPIs), and engage external evaluators to objectively assess the project's impact. We use a combination of qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of impact. Also, we conduct surveys and interviews with beneficiaries, community members, and other stakeholders to gather insights into the perceived impact of the project.
Q. How does o9 Solutions measure the impact and success of its CSR projects? Which steps are taken to ensure accountability and transparency in your initiatives?
A. o9 typically takes the following steps to measure the impact of CSR projects and ensure accountability and transparency:
1. Define clear objectives that align with the company's overall CSR strategy.
2. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) directly linked to the project's objectives.
3. Set a baseline assessment to provide a reference point for measuring changes and impacts over time.
4. Do regular monitoring and evaluation to assess the project against established KPIs.
5. Perform regular reporting and share this information with stakeholders. We adhere to globally recognized reporting standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
6. Engage employees in CSR initiatives to ensure awareness and understanding of the company's commitment to social responsibility.
Q. Apart from MAD, are there any other collaborations and partnerships that the organization has established to further its CSR initiatives?
A. In addition to MAD, o9 has well-established partnerships with other nonprofits in India, such as Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS), Goodera, and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, amongst others. o9 is also actively collaborating with NextUp Texas and Lean In to empower women in tech. Also, o9 is an active member of social impact networks such as Pledge 1%.
Finally, o9 also has strategic social impact partners that enable the company to run part of its program:
- Deed: Deed is the social impact platform, where our WePledge 1% program lives. Employees' contributions are automatically matched, and donation credit is allocated to volunteers. It is also the tool we use for reporting on our employee's lead social impact efforts. In Deed, o9ers can find donation and volunteering opportunities worldwide thanks to the more than 2 million nonprofits on the platform. We also use Deed to celebrate international awareness campaigns, leveraging the platform to amplify crucial messages and inspire collective action, fostering a global community committed to positive change.
- Tree-Nation: A reforestation platform in which our o9 forest lives. It aims to accelerate forest restoration as a nature-based solution to support communities and the environment. Today, we have more than 35,000 trees planted.
Q. We came across your involvement in the 1% Pledge on your website. Could you tell us a little more about this movement and what initiatives have you taken under the same?
Pledge 1% is the overarching commitment that is present in all of o9’s social impact programs. For example, our volunteering time off (VTO) policy gives each employee 20 hours to volunteer during their working time, which is exactly 1% of their annual work time, considering a 40-hour working week. It is also the base of our WePledge 1% program in which o9 commits to match dollar per dollar for every employee donation or to reward with 15 dollars per hour volunteered in donation credit. The o9 Digital Tomorrow Grant is also part of this commitment; in general, all our initiatives are measured against the signed pledge.
We also committed to giving 1% of our product to social enterprises or nonprofit organizations. If anyone is interested in leveraging the o9 platform for their social impact or environmental operations, please reach out to us so we can evaluate and engage in a potential partnership.
But Pledge 1% is much more than just a commitment, it is also a great place for o9 to network and establish partnerships with like-minded organizations and corporate foundations working towards the same or similar goals as o9. Through Pledge 1%, we also learn from best practices and trends in the industry.
Q. Looking ahead, how do you see your social initiatives evolving in the near to medium future? Are there any new projects or partnerships that you are looking forward to?
A. As a company, we are committed to advancing our social initiatives by focusing on several key areas. Our primary goal is to continue positively impacting the communities we serve and contribute to providing equitable access to technology and digital resources, empowering individuals to thrive in the digital age.
One of our key strategies involves expanding our existing projects that have successfully addressed social issues. This includes initiatives such as the o9 Digital Tomorrow Grant and our employee-led program. We firmly believe that our employees are instrumental in driving the success of our social impact initiatives. As we look ahead, we are committed to recognizing their unique skills, passion, and commitment to making a difference. By fostering a sense of shared purpose and encouraging active participation, we aim to harness the collective power of our employees to amplify the positive impact of our social initiatives, ultimately creating a workplace culture that values both professional success and meaningful contributions to society.
Additionally, we are exploring new projects that align with our values and have the potential to address emerging social challenges. These may involve leveraging technology, innovation, and collaboration with local and global partners to develop solutions to drive positive change.
Partnerships play a crucial role in our approach to social impact. We seek collaborations with like-minded organizations and nonprofits to amplify our efforts and create synergies that lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes. Building strategic partnerships allows us to combine expertise, resources, and networks to tackle complex social issues comprehensively.
Furthermore, we recognize the importance of staying adaptive and responsive to the evolving needs of society. Our commitment to social responsibility extends to continuously assessing our initiatives to ensure they remain relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing world.
In summary, our vision for the future involves a combination of scaling successful initiatives, exploring new projects, and fostering meaningful partnerships. We are dedicated to being a positive force for social change and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to a better future for all.
