HCL Foundation announces the 4th edition of HCL Grant

The growth of our country rests on four estates- namely, the legislature, judiciary, executive. Free press or media is recognized as the 4^th estate. The contribution of NGOs towards nation building is immense. HCL defines it as the Fifth Estate. HCL Grant is a step towards recognition of the rise of the Fifth Estate - the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The Fifth Estate has now become a critical agent of change, playing a decisive role in building a stronger, future-ready India.

The Grant is designed to support breakthrough award winning projects to NGOs, that have a proven track record of evident impact, high credibility and distinct ability to deliver. NGOs that reach out to marginalized, isolated, underserved and underdeveloped rural communities in India, and work jointly to achieve sustainable socio-economic development.

Through HCL Grant, HCL Foundation will award Rs.5 Crores ($0.8Million) per category, per NGO, against a well-defined 5 years project.

HCL Grant, through Edition I, II & III has already committed Rs. 35 Crore (US$5.4Million) towards high quality projects in the years 2015-16, 16-17 & 17-18. Through this commitment, the HCL Grant supported projects selected during Edition 1, 2 & 3 aim to cover 8,09,906 people in 3,567 villages in 26 districts across 12 states of India. These projects are already operational in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Nagaland.

The HCL Grant is awarded in the following thematic categories. Underneath is an indicative list of sub-thematic areas that could be proposed to seek HCL Grant funding:

Environment

• Conservation of environment, the indigenous flora and fauna.
• Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy for all.
• Combating climate change and its impact.
• Protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystem and wetlands
• Conservation of natural water bodies, including river rejuvenation, oceans, natural springs, lakes and others.
• Combating desertification, deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution and promoting use of renewable resources.
• Wildlife conservation and preservation.

Education

• Right to Education for All by upscaling initiatives that strengthen Elementary, Secondary, Higher Education, Adult Literacy.
• Education that promotes learning opportunities through skill development and confidence building, including digital literacy.
• Education that leads to better livelihood opportunities and improved income & better living for young people and adults.
• Equitable, inclusive, and relevant quality education, leading to gender equality and human resource development.

Health

• Equitable & Universal access to Health for All - segments of population and ailments.
• Access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, prevention and elimination of water borne diseases.
• Maternal, adolescent, child health and nutrition and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Inclusion and gender transformative approaches are underlying principles for HCL Grant.

In 2016, the first HCL Grant was felicitated by the Honourable President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, to Going to School  (NGO) working in the area of Education. This NGO has reached out to more than 70,000 children in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, providing 21st century entrepreneur skills, through HCL Grant, using innovative story telling method.

In 2017, during its second edition, the HCL Grant was felicitated by Honorable Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Arun Jaitley to Foundation for Ecological Security , working in the area of Environment– Ahmedabad, Child in Need Institute-Kolkata (Health), Meljol- Mumbai (Education). These NGOs were selected from over 3000 NGOs that applied this year, following a step by step process, including the stages of field level evaluation, eminent Sub Juries and the Jury.

In 2018, during its third edition, HCL grant was won by Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (sightsavers India) under the category of Education, Elutheros Christian Society (Health) & Keystone Foundation (environment).

To apply for this year’s grant, please click here

If you have any queries, please write to-  hclgrant@hcl.com

For more details, please check the Link