HCLFoundation: Achieving an Equitable Society through Holistic Development

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HCLFoundation’s mission is to build clean, green, and healthy communities where everyone is empowered to reach their potential. It achieves this through partnerships with employees, communities, and stakeholders, promoting volunteerism and adhering to international standards in planning, implementation, and impact measurement. Its approach integrates business objectives with social purpose, focusing on community welfare and environmental protection. To learn more about its social initiatives and the 10 ‘Cs’ or the 10 Commandments guiding its CSR efforts—Clarity, Choice, Catalyse, Co-create, Comprehensive, Continuous, Compassion, Convergence, Credibility, and Capital—CSR Mandate spoke with Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech & Director, HCLFoundation.

Why did HCLTechies decide to establish HCLFoundation in 2011? What are its visionary goals?

We established HCLFoundation to formalise and expand our CSR efforts, which have always been integral to our business model. Our goal is to create a structured, sustainable approach to philanthropy, aligned with national and international development standards.

As part of the organisation, I can proudly say that HCL’s business model has always been aligned with the interests of society at large. Our mission of ‘Spreading Smiles, Touching Lives’ reflects our commitment to societal well-being. With over 1.1 lakh employees contributing to our initiatives, our CSR efforts have evolved from employee-driven funding to a core principle of our organisation.

Our vision is to build an equitable society by breaking the cycle of poverty in all its forms—social, economic, and environmental. We aim to combat poverty and climate change through holistic, inclusive development, striving for a prosperous, green planet where all species thrive.

How do you determine which States and regions require the most support?

We use a strategic approach to identify where our support is most needed by collaborating with State and local governments, NGOs, and communities. Here is how we do it:

  • Research, Data Collection and Analysis: We gather and analyse data on socio-economic indicators like income, education, and health to understand poverty and vulnerabilities in different areas.
  • Collaboration with Stakeholders: We work with local governments and NGOs to gain insights and co-design solutions based on on-ground knowledge.
  • Evaluation and Timely Mapping: We map and evaluate various indicators to assess regional issues and ensure continuous improvement through feedback.
  • Community Engagement and Leadership: We engage with local communities who help us develop sustainable solutions that address real needs and ensure local support. By empowering communities to take charge and lead change ensures that the solutions are sustainable and have local buy-in.

By combining rigorous research, stakeholder collaboration, scientific evaluation, community engagement, and the strategic use of technology, we are able to determine which States and regions require the most support. This multi-faceted approach ensures that our interventions are targeted, effective, and sustainable.

We introduced Samuday to elevate rural India through a participatory approach. This initiative empowers communities to identify challenges, collaborate on solutions, and take charge of implementation. Through it, we have reached 2,443,210 people across 1,953 villages.

Could you provide an overview of the initiatives undertaken by HCLFoundation? 

We undertake various projects and initiatives in community development, economic development, healthcare, education, and empowerment. Below are some of the initiatives:

Samuday: We introduced Samuday to elevate rural India through a participatory approach. This initiative empowers communities to identify challenges, collaborate on solutions, and take charge of implementation. Through it, we have reached 2,443,210 people across 1,953 villages.

Uday: Aiming to break the vicious cycle of urban poverty, this initiative supports the most vulnerable populations. It empowers not just individuals but works to uplift entire families. Operational in 11 cities where we have a presence, Uday is building clean, green, healthy and empowered communities.   

My E-Haat: Recognising the power of the creative economy in driving sustainable livelihoods, we launched E-Haat to uplift and improve the livelihoods of artisans and small entrepreneurs. We offer skill-building, market knowledge, and entrepreneurial support. So far, we have positively impacted over 3,000 artisans in 30 villages, helping them enhance their products and establish connections to the market.

We operate extensively across India, covering 21 States and three Union Territories, spanning 122 districts. We have made a significant impact through the various initiatives aimed at improving education, fostering community development, empowering women, promoting a sustainable environment, supporting economic development, and small entrepreneurship. As a result of these efforts, we have positively impacted the lives of over 5.5 million people, contributing to the overall well-being and growth of communities across India. 

Why did the Foundation choose to invest in these initiatives? What were the changes observed in the targeted communities due to these efforts?

We invest in these initiatives to drive lasting, transformative change by nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. Our approach empowers local voices and grassroots leadership, making communities the drivers of their progress. By tackling poverty in its social, economic, and environmental dimensions, we create ecosystems that foster sustainable development and turn vulnerabilities into opportunities.

These efforts have positively impacted over 5.5 million people, including 54 per cent women and more than 13,500 individuals with disabilities.

How widespread are HCLFoundation’s activities across India?

We operate extensively across India, covering 21 States and three Union Territories, spanning 122 districts. We have made a significant impact through the various initiatives aimed at improving education, fostering community development, empowering women, promoting a sustainable environment, supporting economic development, and small entrepreneurship. As a result of these efforts, we have positively impacted the lives of over 5.5 million people, contributing to the overall well-being and growth of communities across India. 

Baking Dreams, Breaking Barriers
Sunita Devi’s Rise to Financial Independence
Sunita Devi, a 40-year-old mother of three, faced severe financial struggles despite working hard on her small farm and later as an agricultural labourer. After moving from her village in Etawah district (UP) to Noida in search of a better life, Sunita’s family still grappled with poverty, living in a rented house with her husband earning just Rs 12,000 a month as a security guard.
Sunita’s life took a transformative turn when she discovered bakery training offered by the HCLFoundation in partnership with ACCESS Development Services. Eager for change, she embraced the opportunity, learning baking techniques, bookkeeping, product development, and financial literacy. Her modest kitchen became the venue for her growth, with each batch of cookies and cakes boosting her confidence.
Sunita’s breakthrough came when she was offered the chance to run a café at the HCL Tech Noida campus. This role not only increased her monthly income to over Rs 15,000 but also provided financial stability for her family. With her newfound earnings, Sunita ensured her children received quality education and could pursue their dreams.
Sunita’s journey symbolises breaking barriers and embracing possibilities, achieving financial independence and autonomy while investing in her family’s future.

How do you research poverty and vulnerabilities and use this knowledge to guide your interventions?

Our approach places communities at the heart of our efforts, treating them as active partners rather than passive beneficiaries. Our projects are designed based on comprehensive needs assessments and strategic 3-5-year plans with an annual target beneficiary and budget break-up.

For Samuday, we used detailed evaluations and baseline assessments from Johns Hopkins University to select focus areas.

Our HCLTech Grant streamlines CSR funding through a nationwide competitive process, supporting impactful environmental, health, and education nonprofits.

We address urban poverty through Uday using the Integrated Community Development approach. We connect vulnerable individuals with State services to ensure they have a chance for a dignified life.

Our initiatives have a holistic vision for sustainable socio-economic and environmental development. We focus on community empowerment, clean living, and setting international standards for excellence in every aspect of our work. Our comprehensive CSR policy aligns with principles of people, planet, partnerships, prosperity, and peace, driving us towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Committed to nation-building and long-term impact, we go beyond individual projects to foster transformative change and set new benchmarks in corporate social responsibility. 

How does HCLFoundation ensure credibility, transparency, and accountability in its philanthropy? How are its initiatives tailored to reach underserved communities and promote long-term sustainability? 

We prioritise continuous improvement through regular, independent impact measurements of our programmes. Third-party organisations conduct these assessments, and the resulting reports are published on our websites for transparency. The findings and recommendations from these assessments inform several critical aspects.

  • Systematic Progress Tracking: We utilise a systematic approach to track programme progress over time.
  • Ground-Level Results Mapping: Assessments directly measure the programme’s impact on the targeted communities.
  • Strategic Effectiveness and Intervention Agility: We evaluate the effectiveness of our chosen strategies and the adaptability of our interventions to address evolving needs.
  • Resource Optimisation: We assess the alignment between programme outcomes and the resources deployed. 

What sets HCLFoundation’s initiatives apart from others? How sustainable are they?

Our initiatives have a holistic vision for sustainable socio-economic and environmental development. We focus on community empowerment, clean living, and setting international standards for excellence in every aspect of our work. Our comprehensive CSR policy aligns with principles of people, planet, partnerships, prosperity, and peace, driving us towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Committed to nation-building and long-term impact, we go beyond individual projects to foster transformative change and set new benchmarks in corporate social responsibility. 

Do you work independently or in partnership with other organisations for project implementation? How do you promote learning and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders to improve the initiatives?

We collaborate with government agencies, local bodies, NGOs, and other businesses for project implementation. These collaborations provide valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing, allowing partners to learn from each other’s experiences, successes, and failures.

We maintain an open and transparent communication channel to ensure effective information sharing amongst stakeholders. Our unwavering commitment to transparency guarantees informed decision-making alongside the valuable feedback of everyone involved. Through this collaborative effort, we achieve alignment with project goals, ultimately leading to the upliftment of targeted communities. We also host regular symposiums to equip NGOs with in-depth knowledge of our brand and pertinent CSR regulations. This empowers them to strategically develop their non-profit initiatives within a robust legal framework. 

What are the plans for HCLFoundation’s future projects? 

We are committed to creating an equitable society by breaking the cycle of poverty—socially, economically, and environmentally. Our vision is to extend our projects’ reach and impact across more States and communities.

We are excited to announce the HCLTech Grant Americas for Climate Action, a $5 million commitment over five years to empower non-profits in the Americas. This grant will fuel innovative projects that tackle climate change. Additionally, our collaborations across Europe and the APAC region aim to drive innovation and embrace nature-based solutions, holding ourselves accountable to a healthier planet.