Driving SOcial Change: Action For India's Impact Catalyser Program Supported by Guru Krupa Foundation

In a country as diverse and dynamic as India, the need for innovative solutions to address pressing societal challenges has never been more critical. With millions still grappling with poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services, there is an urgent imperative to catalyze change through tech enabled social entrepreneurship. Action For India (AFI), in collaboration with Guru Krupa Foundation, is spearheading the charge with its Impact Catalyser Program. This initiative aims to identify, nurture, and scale impactful social enterprises that have the potential to drive tangible change in communities across India. Drawing inspiration from Guru Krupa Foundation's focus on impact-driven investments, the Impact Catalyser Program adopts a strategic approach to supporting social enterprises. With a keen emphasis on long-term sustainability and measurable impact, the program strategically allocates resources to initiatives across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, clean energy, agriculture, and livelihoods.

The program's success lies in its ability to foster strategic partnerships and collaborations, inspired from Guru Krupa Foundation's approach. At the heart of both AFI and Guru Krupa Foundation's missions is a commitment to supporting initiatives that demonstrate potential for significant social impact. By investing in high-impact organizations and nurturing their growth, AFI and Guru Krupa Foundation are paving the way for sustainable solutions to some of India's most pressing challenges. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of AFI, Guru Krupa Foundation, the Impact Catalyser Program maximizes its potential to drive meaningful social change. As we navigate the complexities of the rapidly growing modern world, the importance of social entrepreneurship cannot be overstated. It is through the collective efforts of organizations like AFI and supportive partners like Guru Krupa Foundation and other strategic partners including India Development Relief Fund (IDRF), eBay Foundation and several others that we are able to drive positive change and create a brighter future for generations to come. Join us in our mission to build a more equitable and sustainable India through social entrepreneurship. Together, we can make a difference.

AFI had supported 18 social enterprises (SEs) in 2023 cohort-I, representing 6 sub-sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, clean energy, livelihoods and financial inclusion. These SEs were located in 8 states of India of which 28% of the founders were female. Each SE was exposed to over 100+ hours of focused mentorship under the program.

Likewise, on Feb 20th, 2024, AFI launched another cohort in the gracious presence of Mr Mukund Padmanabhan, President, Guru Krupa Foundation. In this cohort, a total of 23 SEs were onboarded representing 5 sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, livelihoods and climate change. 52% of SEs were led by female founders whereas 48% of SEs were led by male founders.