New Delhi, August 25, 2026: The Sangam Collaborative was launched in India on August 25 to support long-term improvements in health, education and nutrition across five priority states — Jharkhand, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bihar. The initiative will focus on strengthening public systems and improving the delivery of essential services, particularly for underserved communities.
The Collaborative brings together Piramal Foundation, Gates Foundation, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, Dhanam Foundation, Surgo Foundation, and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. It will work alongside governments, technical experts and implementation partners to improve the quality, reach and effectiveness of public services. The five states are estimated to have around 70 million people experiencing multidimensional poverty.
Launched at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the initiative will focus on institutional capabilities, leadership, talent, processes and data systems. It will also work with local technical experts to improve the delivery of services such as health and education, with an emphasis on consistency, quality, equity and inclusion.
The Collaborative draws on previous partnerships between governments, philanthropic organisations and implementation partners. Its approach is also informed by work in Bihar involving the Government of Bihar, Gates Foundation, Piramal Foundation and other partners to strengthen public health institutions, frontline capabilities and data systems.
Mr. Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Foundation, said, “Lasting change comes when we strengthen the public systems that touch people’s everyday lives. Guided by Sewa Bhaav, the spirit of service, Piramal Foundation has chosen to work alongside government and communities, with humility and a long-term commitment to creating meaningful impact at scale. We believe India’s most complex challenges cannot be solved by any one institution. They require us to bring together the strengths of philanthropy, government and institutions across India and the world. By convening these capabilities across five priority states, home to 70 million people experiencing multidimensional poverty, we hope to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive and more prosperous Viksit Bharat.”
Mr. Mark Suzman, CEO, Gates Foundation, said, “India has made remarkable progress in reducing multidimensional poverty over the past decade. This progress reflects the reach and effectiveness of government-led programs, consistent improvements in public delivery systems, and thoughtful application of technology and innovation at scale. The Gates Foundation remains committed to our longstanding partnership in India and to supporting the country’s continued development progress through initiatives such as the Sangam Collaborative.”
Amit Chandra, Co-Founder, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, said, “Poverty at the scale in the target states cannot be solved by isolated acts of philanthropy. We have to combine the scale of government, with the risk capital and agility of philanthropy, and the last-mile capabilities of civil society. Done well, this collaborative can become a powerful force multiplier—building institutions and solutions that improve millions of lives and accelerate India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.”
Mr. Ram Shriram, President, Dhanam Foundation, said, “The complexity of multidimensional poverty calls for collective action and long-term commitment. Through the Sangam Collaborative, we look forward to supporting collaborative efforts that strengthen communities, improve service delivery and create opportunities for vulnerable populations to thrive.”
Kate Hampton, CEO, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, said, “India has shown that transformative progress is possible when governments, philanthropies and partners work together with a long-term commitment to strengthening public systems. The Sangam Collaborative is an exciting opportunity to build on that momentum and help millions of people access better health, nutrition, education and sustainable livelihoods, while expanding opportunities for women and girls to thrive. By investing in stronger systems, leadership and capabilities, we can accelerate pathways out of poverty at scale and generate lessons that can benefit communities far beyond India.”
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