Google India Partners Sambhav Foundation to Support 1,000 Fisherfolk in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh, April 29, 2026: Google India has partnered with Sambhav Foundation to implement a livelihood and digital inclusion programme for 1,000 individuals from fisherfolk communities in the Rambilli region of Visakhapatnam.

The initiative aims to strengthen traditional marine livelihoods by improving digital access, enhancing income opportunities, and enabling participation in the region’s growing economic landscape. It will follow a phased, community-led approach, beginning with a baseline needs assessment and followed by customised training aligned with local conditions.

As part of the programme, participants will receive training in digital and financial literacy, including UPI usage, online banking, digital payments, and access to government welfare schemes. The initiative will also introduce technology-enabled fishing practices such as GPS navigation, weather forecasting tools, and safety preparedness measures to improve efficiency and reduce risks at sea.

A key focus area of the intervention is value chain enhancement. Training will cover fish handling, grading, preservation, packaging, and cold-chain management to enable fisherfolk to move beyond raw catch sales. Efforts to strengthen market linkages are expected to support direct buyer access and reduce reliance on intermediaries through cooperative models.

The programme will be delivered through on-ground camps and continuous engagement in Rambilli and surrounding areas, with refresher sessions and expanded outreach planned to ensure sustained impact and behavioural change.

Dr. Gayathri Vasudevan, Chief Impact Officer, Sambhav Foundation, said, “For India’s coastal communities, the challenge today is not simply livelihood access, but livelihood resilience. Traditional occupations are under pressure from changing markets, climate uncertainty, and rapid digitalisation. What communities need are practical tools that aid them in making grounded decisions, improve their economic potential from existing ecosystems, and participate in growth without being displaced by it. When skilling, technology, and market access are rooted in local realities, they can create durable economic confidence for households that have long remained underserved.”

Sambhav Foundation brings prior experience in Andhra Pradesh across skilling, education, sanitation, and economic inclusion programmes, supporting implementation at the grassroots level.