New Delhi, 30 July 2025: DBS Foundation has announced a strategic partnership with The/Nudge Institute, committing SGD 9.98 million (approximately ₹65.56 crore) over four years to advance financial literacy and economic inclusion among underserved communities in India. The initiative aims to reach approximately 85,000 low-income households in Gujarat and Jharkhand through the DBS Foundation x The/Nudge Institute Economic Inclusion Programme.
The partnership is aligned with DBS Foundation’s mission of fostering inclusive growth by equipping vulnerable populations with essential skills and access to financial tools. A key focus of the programme is on financial and digital literacy, enabling participants to understand banking systems, develop savings habits, access anti-scam education, and become familiar with emerging digital tools.
The programme will implement a structured, evidence-based graduation model targeting rural women with limited financial access and annual household incomes below SGD 400. The intervention includes consumption and livelihood grants and a 150-week skill-building initiative covering agriculture, livestock-based activities, and micro-enterprises such as tailoring, retail, and traditional crafts.
Karen Ngui, Head, DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, said, “At the DBS Foundation, we’re committed to uplifting vulnerable communities and helping them move towards brighter, more sustainable futures. Beyond meeting essential needs, this programme by The/Nudge Institute will also focus on closing critical gaps such as financial literacy, thereby empowering beneficiaries to build resilience and long-term stability. We’re proud to partner with The/Nudge Institute to drive inclusive and lasting growth.”
The initiative also includes household-level livelihood planning, facilitating two or more income streams per household. Participants will be supported in accessing formal services such as microfinance and government welfare schemes. Additionally, it aims to enhance nutritional outcomes, self-esteem, and participation in social schemes.
Atul Satija, CEO and Founder of The/Nudge Institute, stated, “Through this partnership with the DBS Foundation, we aim to enable skilling and foster a culture of self-reliance. By empowering underserved communities, especially women in rural areas, the goal is to create a replicable economic mobility model. This programme is a step towards achieving a more inclusive society, where opportunity is accessible to all.”
This partnership is one of several initiatives supported by DBS Foundation under its broader commitment to social impact. In 2024 alone, the foundation allocated SGD 88 million to launch 15 new programmes across its key markets. DBS has pledged up to SGD 1 billion over the next decade to support vulnerable communities globally.
In India, DBS Foundation has previously partnered with Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions to enhance access to social security for 500,000 individuals and foster financial inclusion for over 50,000 nano-entrepreneurs.
The DBS Foundation x The/Nudge Institute programme underscores the growing role of private-public partnerships in delivering inclusive, scalable, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty and build financial resilience in underserved regions.
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