The Social Impact Conference is a vital platform where thought leaders, CSR leaders, policy influencers, ESG professionals, NGOs, and social sector practitioners converge to address the most pressing development challenges of our time. It goes beyond dialogue, offering deep insights into the evolving ecosystem of social responsibility, sustainability, and inclusive development.
By fostering meaningful cross-sector collaborations, the conference plays a crucial role in shaping strategies, sharing innovations, and scaling impactful interventions across sectors such as education, skilling, livelihood, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Its curated sessions and thematic discussions help bridge the gap between grassroots realities and boardroom decisions, reinforcing the urgency to align purpose with practice.
Key Highlights
High-impact platform bringing together CSR heads, ESG leaders, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, and development professionals
Thematic sessions on social action, sustainability, education, skilling, livelihood, gender equity, and digital inclusion
Multi-sectoral participation from corporates, foundations, government bodies, NGOs, and academia
Focus on innovation and collaboration, showcasing scalable social models and tested, high-impact solutions
Insightful keynotes and panels addressing ground realities and global sustainability goals
Networking opportunities for building strategic partnerships across the social impact ecosystem
Interactive discussions and live examples of how CSR and ESG strategies are shaping India’s development narrative
The Social Impact Awards celebrate and honour individuals, organisations, and initiatives that exemplify commitment, creativity, and measurable change in the field of sustainable development. These awards recognise not only corporate excellence in CSR and ESG but also the contributions of NGOs, social enterprises, innovators, and grassroots changemakers who are transforming lives on the ground.
By spotlighting such exemplary work, the awards inspire replication, encourage accountability, and elevate the visibility of initiatives that often go underrepresented. They serve as benchmarks for best practices and catalyse momentum towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
Key Highlights
Recognition of excellence across CSR, ESG, sustainability, social innovation, and grassroots impact
Award categories covering diverse domains, including climate action, education, women's empowerment, livelihoods, and health
Honouring changemakers from both institutional and individual backgrounds, including unsung heroes and emerging leaders
Special Jury and Editorial Choice Awards to spotlight bold, underrepresented, or innovative initiatives
Encouraging replicable best practices and impact models for wider adoption across sectors
Uplifting voices from the grassroots to the national stage, validating contributions to sustainable development
Celebratory award ceremony that blends recognition with inspiration and community spirit
The SICA'26 Awards recognize outstanding achievements across various areas of climate action and sustainability, celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact. Categories include:
TheCSRUniverse Climate Action and Sustainability Conference 2026 nomination comprises the three simple steps below:
Nominate your social project/initiative by filling nomination form Here
Upload relevant documents
Submit your nomination form and pay nomination fees to reach at shortlisting stage for this Award
Please Click Here to find ‘Eligibility Criteria’ and ‘Rules and Regulations’ for this Award
(Note: The nomination can also be submitted via email. Click Here to download the Nomination Form. Fill the form offline and send us via email along with all the supporting documents.)
“As a matter of internal policy, we have taken a conscious decision to NOT take any nomination fees for the award entries to make it more accessible. This step is aligned with our vision of being Conscious, Social, & Responsible (CSR). Our effort is to democratise the award process and bring opportunities for everyone to present their impactful work before our esteemed jury. With this decision, we also want to bring recognition to those who remain unrecognised despite their valuable contribution towards Social Impact and sustainability”, Ms Ruchika Kumar, Editor and Mr Ashish Jha, Founder, TheCSRUniverse
PART A — WHO CAN APPLY
A1. Eligible Applicants
Projects/initiatives launched, funded, or implemented by any institution, company, CSR arm, funding organisation, not-for-profit institution, NGO, or community service provider
Philanthropists and individuals serving in their own capacity may nominate their initiative
Foreign companies and MNCs with ongoing or concluded CSR projects in India are eligible to nominate
The applicant must be an individual, a registered company, a CSR foundation/trust, or an implementing partner for a CSR project
A2. Eligible Projects & Initiatives
The entry must be for a social project launched, executed (partially or fully), or active during the period of April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026
Projects launched on or after April 1, 2026 are not eligible for nomination in this edition
The nominated project must have a defined start date, a stated target, and a documented current status
The project must have provided services, support, or direct community benefit to people in their locality or anywhere across India
Projects with a profiteering business model are not eligible. However, self-sustaining models that generate revenue solely to fund long-term project viability are permitted
One organisation may not submit multiple nominations under the same award category. Nominations across different categories from the same organisation are permitted
