In a world where complex challenges demand innovative solutions, the role of visionary individuals becomes paramount. Recognizing this need, Schaeffler India, in collaboration with the Buddy4Study Foundation, has embarked on a transformative journey to empower change-makers. Their endeavour takes the form of the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program, designed to pioneer projects in crucial domains like Environment Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Carbon Neutrality, Circular Economy, and Technology in the Social Sector.
This initiative doesn't stop at financial support; it goes further, offering a 24-week mentorship program in partnership with IIM Ahmedabad's Centre for Innovation Incubation & Entrepreneurship. In an enlightening interview with TheCSRUniverse, Mr. Yogesh Kapse, Head of CSR at Schaeffler India, unravels the program's objectives, its potential impact, and the profound necessity for programs that empower change-makers to shape a more sustainable future. This interview provides a comprehensive understanding of how the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program addresses pressing global challenges and nurtures the innovators who will drive positive change.
For in-depth insights, read the full interview below.
Q&A
Q. What is the vision behind Schaeffler India's commitment to advancing the prosperity and progress of communities? How does this vision connect with the goals of the Social Innovator Fellowship Program?
A. Delineating our responsibility as corporate citizens, we at Schaeffler are committed to operating our business in an economically, socially & environmentally sustainable manner. At the same time, we endeavor to reach out to different sections of the society, with socially relevant projects, that benefit communities to enhance the quality of their lives. Social Innovation & entrepreneurship is considered an important tool in enabling the nation development and poverty alleviation, and the Social Innovator Fellowship Program is aligned with the agenda of enhancing quality of lives for citizens.
Q. Can you elaborate on the main objectives of the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program and how it aims to make a positive impact on society?
A. The main objective is to recognize and reward Individuals who are developing unique solutions that have the potential to positively impact the society at scale in India. Also, the program aims to encourage the eco-system for social innovation in the region.
Q. What are the specific criteria that the fellowship projects need to fulfill to be considered for the grant? How do these criteria align with the program's overall goals?
A. The Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program invites applicants between the age of 18 to 35 years to submit their innovative projects, addressing critical challenges in areas such as Environment Sustainability, Natural Resource Management, Renewable Energy, Carbon Neutrality, Circular Economy, and Application of Technology in the Social Sector. The program is open to individuals, institutions, and both for-profit and non-profit organizations across India. The projects entries must not just a concept, idea or mockup, it needs to fulfil following 3 requirements:
o Solving a social challenge
o Sustainability angle
o Scaling up possibility
This program is aligned with Schaeffler India spearheads efforts to create a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.
Q. Could you provide examples of the critical challenges that the projects should address within areas like Environment Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Application of Technology in the Social Sector?
A. Sure, here are some examples of critical social challenges that projects address
• Environment sustainability:
o Climate change: Projects that address climate change aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. This can be done by developing renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing deforestation.
o Water pollution: Projects that address water pollution aim to improve water quality and protect water resources. This can be done by reducing pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste.
o Waste management: Projects that address waste management aim to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. This can help to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.
• Renewable energy:
o Access to energy: Projects that address access to energy aim to provide reliable and affordable energy to people who do not have it. This can be done by developing renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind power, and by improving energy efficiency.
o Energy security: Projects that address energy security aim to reduce reliance on imported energy sources and improve the resilience of energy systems. This can be done by developing renewable energy projects and by diversifying energy sources.
• Application of technology in the social sector
o Projects that apply technology in the poverty alleviation sector can help to improve the lives of people living in poverty. This can be done by developing financial inclusion solutions, using mobile devices to deliver financial services, and using artificial intelligence to match people with jobs or using drones to apply pesticides/ insecticides on crops in agriculture.
Q. How does the program view the integration of technology as a means to address societal challenges and drive innovation?
A. The program views the integration of technology and drive innovation in several ways. First, it believes that technology can be used to create new solutions to old problems. For example, technology can be used to develop new ways to generate and distribute energy, to improve healthcare, and to educate people.
Second, the program believes that technology can be used to empower people and communities. For example, technology can be used to give people access to information and resources, to connect people with each other, and to help people organize and advocate for their rights.
Third, the program believes that technology can be used to create new markets and opportunities. For example, technology can be used to create new jobs, to stimulate economic growth, and to improve the standard of living.
Q. Can you explain the significance of the 24-week hybrid mentorship opportunity at the Centre for Innovation Incubation & Entrepreneurship, IIM Ahmedabad, for the selected fellows? How does this mentorship contribute to the development and scaling of their solutions?
A. The mentorship opportunity at CIIE.CO will provide:
• Access to tools, frameworks, and actionable content on building blocks of startup ventures to put theory into practice
• Will help fellow to have a proof of concept or up to a minimum viable prototype of the product or service in respective sectors
• Facetime with leading mentors in aligned sectors, industry experts and sector & domain champions
• Each fellow will go through one-on-one diagnostic panel to improve upon their innovation
• Mentoring clinics with exactly relevant specialists (successful founders / consultants) for diagnosed problems
• Interactions, connections facilitated with CIIE.CO’s extended business & investor network
Q. How does Schaeffler India's partnership with Buddy4Study India foundation contribute to the implementation of the fellowship program? What role does Buddy4Study play?
A. Buddy4study brings vast experience of transformation in scholarship ecosystem. They are going to play an important role in fellowship outreach, mobilization, application management, fellow onboarding, fund disbursement and facilitation of overall mentorship program.
Q. Can you elaborate on the resources and support that Schaeffler India will provide to the selected fellows beyond the grant and mentorship? How does the program plan to help the fellows in terms of network access, partnerships, and community collaboration to ensure the long-term success of their projects?
A. The expert’s inputs and support at CIIE.CO, IIM Ahmedabad will address most of the aspect related to social entrepreneurs. The extended network of CIIE.CO connections across geographies & practice areas, available in perpetuity after the end of the program.
Additionally, Schaeffler will provide the inhouse mentoring support by experts for different need of the social entrepreneurs like access to legal thematic experts, marketing expert, finance, HR and Sustainability experts for guiding them through their entrepreneur journey. Schaeffler will also provide opportunities to access our own network and explore the synergies and collaboration opportunities for relevant and aligned innovation.
Q. Could you detail the stages involved in the selection process for the fellowship program? How do reviews, interviews, and project pitch presentations contribute to the final selection of the fellows?
A. Initial Shortlisting:
Submitted application forms will be scrutinized for their completeness and compliance of set eligibilities.
The documents submitted by the applicants will be checked and tally with the information filled in forms to ensure eligible candidates move ahead.
First Interview Round (Telephonic) of candidates
Telephonic interview of the qualified application to validate the information filled in the application form and to ensure that well conceptualized and quality applications get shortlisted for next round of assessment.
Second Round Interview by Schaeffler India team
Schaeffler India team along with subject expert will have virtual or direct interviews (face to face round) to shortlist the candidates using the score card method, the candidates will be assessed primarily on potential of impact, innovation & uniqueness, scale, and sustainability.
Final Jury Round:
Finalist candidate will be asked to pitch their ideas in front to final Jury panel, the final jury will comprise of senior leadership team of Schaeffler India and an external expert on social entrepreneurship.
Q. Can you share some success stories or examples of previous fellows from the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program? How have their projects impacted society and demonstrated the program's effectiveness in fostering positive change?
A. Sure, we are noting their growth stories by connecting them in regular interval and observing their progress at various platform. Like, Nikky Jha the founder of Saptkrishi Scientific Pvt Ltd is an agri-tech startup committed to solve the problem of perishability of horticultural commodities. He is providing affordable, accessible storage and transport to the small farmers, cooperative societies, and traders. He has scaled up his operation and getting government orders from Northeastern States, his impactful product has also been seen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Deirdre Boydat. He is constantly improving and bringing new product ranges.
Similarly, the innovation by Deepak Rajmohan (Greenpods Lab) is Nature Inspired Solutions to Minimize Food Waste. His creativity and Innovation reduce food wastage from 40% to less than 1%, giving enormous opportunities to the Indian agriculture market stands as a shining example of entrepreneurship and ingenuity, inspiring others to tackle critical issues and make a lasting impact. Now they have commercialized 3 products and expanded their operations in 5 states. Deepak has also been featured at “the better india“ for his innovative solution.
Q. Can you share more about the type of impact Schaeffler India envisions the selected projects will have on society? How will the program measure the success and effectiveness of these impacts?
A. The impact area of each project may vary depending upon specific social challenges the project will be addressing, but one common impact area will be on environmental sustainability aspect. The program will follow a mixed approach for measuring its effectiveness, under qualitative measure, the satisfaction of the fellow participants, the impact on their skills and knowledge, or the sustainability of the projects that they develop will be accessed, and on the quantitative side specific outcomes, such as the number of people served, the amount of money saved, or the number of jobs created will be assessed.
