Mumbai, 23 November 2022: The Shahani Group’s CSR arm SAGE Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Social Venture Partners India (SVP India), the Indian chapter of SVP International, a global philanthropic network, to scale up operations across the country as well as Asia.
SAGE Foundation works with companies and NGOs to train underprivileged youth and make them employable for entry-level white-collar jobs, while SVP brings together donors, nonprofits and social enterprises to create a greater collective impact.
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Akhil Shahani, Managing Director, The Shahani Group, and Director, SAGE Foundation, said, “At SAGE Foundation, our focus has always been on nation-building through strengthening one of the most vulnerable sections of our population: the youth from low-income backgrounds. Due to a number of factors, they are deprived of access to quality education which, in turn, prevents them from being able to find secure and well-paying employment that can empower them to improve their lives as well as those of their families. We help them upskill in areas such as BFSI and Digital Marketing, and assist them in finding well-paying jobs that provide them with financial stability. We are thrilled to partner with SVP India - through this partnership, we hope to reach many more such youth across India as well as Asia, and help them in improving their lives.”
Commenting on the partnership, Gunjali Singh, CEO (Mumbai), SVP India, said, “We are immensely proud to collaborate with the SAGE Foundation and support them in their work that is enabling the livelihoods of a large number of Indian youth. The very essence of SVP lies in working in partnership to amplify impact, we can build a stronger ecosystem when we work together. In SAGE we perceive a shared vision. Their methodologies and programs designed to impart and enhance skills for sustainable growths is aligned with the social goals SVP espouses. We extend a very warm welcome to SAGE in joining the SVP fraternity and look forward to creating change that will define our collective future."
SAGE Foundation has been working with various partners since 2008, to provide skills training and job placements for India’s under-resourced youth. SAGE Foundation works to upskill these youth with the right training and knowledge to be able to secure entry-level, white-collar employment. Over the last few years, SAGE Foundation has trained thousands of low-income youth and has helped them secure corporate jobs at salaries ranging from INR 2.50 lakh to INR 5 lakh per annum.
Social Ventures Partners India, launched in 2012, helps interested entities in their philanthropic journeys by introducing them to the nonprofit and development ecosystem, giving them opportunities for hands-on work with credible NGOs, and connecting them to other like-minded individuals.