Nasscom Foundation Launches Collaborative CSR Initiative to Skill Marginalized Youth in Emerging Technologies

New Delhi, July 01, 2025: Nasscom Foundation, in partnership with the Nasscom SME Council, has launched the second edition of its collaborative CSR project titled “Ascend: Skilling Youth in Emerging Technologies.” The initiative brings together nine small and medium-sized tech enterprises (SMEs) to collectively support digital skilling and employability for marginalized youth in India.

Building on last year’s model, the project aims to train 150 youth across Delhi-NCR, Trivandrum, and Pune in high-demand domains such as Data Analytics and Java Full Stack, alongside soft skills and career readiness programs. The training will follow a hybrid model (80% physical and 20% virtual), and 60% of the beneficiaries will be women, reinforcing a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Selected graduates will also be offered placement opportunities.

“Enabling TechForGood lies at the heart of everything we do at Nasscom Foundation. This initiative is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive meaningful social impact, making technology-led skilling accessible to marginalized youth. By bringing together nine visionary tech SMEs in this cohort, we are not only equipping the young minds with future-ready skills but also empowering businesses to embrace inclusive and responsible growth. Together, we are creating a scalable model that transforms lives, fosters equity, and ensures that technology becomes a force for sustainable progress,” said Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation.

The initiative addresses the challenges SMEs often face in executing impactful CSR, such as limited budgets, complex regulations, and lack of awareness. By providing a shared CSR platform, the program allows SMEs to pool resources, reduce operational burden, and maximize collective impact.

“The success of last year’s initiative clearly showed the power of collective action among SMEs to drive social change. We are excited to once again partner with Nasscom Foundation to take this vision forward. This collaboration not only enables us to contribute to nation-building through skilling but also reflects the SME Council’s commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for youth, especially young women from marginalized communities. Together, we are proving that when purpose and partnership align, how purpose-driven SMEs can create a big impact,” said Maulik Bhansali, CEO, NetWeb Software Pvt. Ltd. and Chair – SME Council.

The initiative will also include mentorship from industry professionals, project-based learning, and engagement with corporate partners to ensure participants gain real-world experience and job readiness.

The launch reaffirms Nasscom Foundation’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation and expanding access to opportunities through technology-led solutions.