Noida, March 6, 2024: Global technology company HCLTech’s CSR arm HCL Foundation today announced the winner NGOs of the 2024 edition of its flagship programme HCLTech Grant.
The selected NGOs will receive ₹16.5 crore (approx $2 million) for projects spanning preservation of endangered species to perinatal mental health and childcare in rural India
HCLTech Grant supports pioneering projects in sustainable rural development in India across the themes of environment, health and education. So far, ₹146.95 crore (appx. $18 million) has been committed by the HCLFoundation through HCLTech Grant. The programme has helped transform nearly 2 million lives in over 27, 500 villages in India.
This year, three NGOs — The Corbett Foundation (environment), Sangath (health) and Makkala Jagriti (education) — will receive ₹5 crore (appx. $609,000) each for their projects of four-year duration.
The Corbett Foundation’s Guardians of Grasslands initiative bagged the award for focussing on conservation of critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and associated species in 16 villages in Kutch district of Gujarat.
Sangath won the award for its project EMPOWER, which addresses perinatal depression and malnutrition in villages across three districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Makkala got the honour for its Jagriti’s project, which aims at transforming anganwadi (rural childcare centers) ecosystem to provide quality early childhood care and education to children in 451 villages in Mysuru district of Karnataka.
In addition, six NGOs will receive grants of ₹25 lakh (appx. $30,500) each for their projects of one-year duration. These NGOs are Lokpanchayat and MUKTI, which works in the environment field; ECHO India (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) and Social Revival Group of Urban Rural and Tribal – Korba; and Shishu Sarothi Centre for Rehabilitation and Training for Multiple Disability and Sri Aurobindo Society.
“HCLTech Grant is not just about a CSR fund; it is about providing global exposure to Indian NGOs that are doing path-breaking work in the field of rural development. It promotes sharing of best practices in the field of Environment, Health and Education – practices that are transformative in nature. A robust year-long application process comprising shortlisting of applications, due diligence, field visits, audits and jury proceedings ensures complete transparency in the selection of the winners,” said Robin Ann Abrams, Chairperson, HCLTech Grant Jury and Board Member, HCLTech.
Dr Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech and Director, HCLFoundation said: "The HCLTech Grant Edition IX recipients exemplify innovation and dedication in their respective fields, addressing critical challenges faced by rural India. Their initiatives align closely with our core focus areas, and we are confident that they will make significant strides toward driving inclusive and sustainable development. HCLFoundation remains committed to empowering NGOs through partnerships and capacity-building initiatives. Together, we will continue to lead transformative change in rural communities."
HCLTech Grant, in its 9th edition this year, received nearly 17,000 registrations from NGOs across India.
HCLFoundation delivers the corporate social responsibility agenda of HCLTech in India. The Foundation contributes to national and international development goals by investing in long-term sustainable programs and special initiatives with thematic focus on education, nurturing grassroots sports, health and sanitation, skill development and livelihood, environment and disaster risk reduction, and response management. Till date, the HCLFoundation has invested over $150 million to positively impacted over 5.5 million lives.
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