Context & Challenge: While the implementing NGO demonstrated strong intent and reach, it lacked essential CSR registrations under the Companies Act, 2013, thereby limiting opportunities for corporate partnerships. Furthermore, a significant support gap existed for individuals aged 18 and above - a demographic often excluded from mainstream education and skilling programs.

 

Objective: To enable transformative, legally compliant, and impact-driven collaboration that bridges systemic gaps in education and livelihood access for marginalized youth, with a focus on post-18 inclusion, sustainable development, and stakeholder alignment.

 

Strategy & Transformation Approach: As the CSR Lead, I adopted a strategic, multi-dimensional approach that integrated compliance, capability-building, and long-term program sustainability:

• Transitioned the initiative from a charity-led model to a capability-first framework grounded in dignity and rights.

• Realigned the program with Schedule VII of the Companies Act and relevant UN SDGs (notably Goals 4, 8, and 10).

• Developed a structured roadmap to address compliance deficiencies, strengthen institutional governance, and unlock funding eligibility.

 

Key Strategic Moves:

• Conducted a detailed due diligence and compliance audit of the NGO, identified critical gaps, and guided them through the registration and documentation process to meet CSR funding criteria.

• Introduced robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to assess outcomes and demonstrate program effectiveness to internal and external stakeholders.

• Secured buy-in from internal decision-makers by aligning the initiative with the company’s ESG commitments and DEI agenda.

• Positioned the intervention as a scalable, replicable model for corporate inclusion programs, with strong community and policy linkages.

 

Strategic Outcomes:

• Enabled the NGO’s first successful corporate CSR partnership through regulatory enablement and governance strengthening.

• Facilitated access to structured residential learning for 350+ youth annually from underserved segments.

• Achieved a 70%+ success rate in job placements and apprenticeships across manufacturing, retail, and service sectors.

• Positioned the organization as a credible and scalable impact partner, paving the way for multi-year funding and intersectoral collaborations.

 

Value Unlocked: Enabled sustainable inclusion by transforming underserved youth into confident, job-ready individuals - embedding equity, resilience, and long-term impact at the heart of the CSR agenda.