Innovative CSR Programs of small and medium enterprises in India

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has traditionally been associated with large corporations due to the legal mandate under the Companies Act, 2013. However, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) also contribute significantly to CSR activities, even when they are not legally bound to do so. Despite challenges, SMEs play a crucial role in CSR through localized, need-based initiatives.

CSR initiatives among SMEs in India are primarily voluntary but increasingly strategic. Whether it’s ethical responsibility, brand reputation, or competitive advantage, these drivers encourage SMEs to invest in socially responsible practices. While challenges such as financial constraints exist, innovative CSR approaches help SMEs to balance social impact with business growth.

SMEs in India are increasingly integrating CSR into their business models. Despite financial and operational constraints, many SMEs are implementing innovative and impactful CSR programs across key sectors such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, rural development and women empowerment. These initiatives are driven by sustainability, community engagement and long-term impact.

1. Education Initiatives by SMEs

a) Digital Learning for Underprivileged Students

SMEs are leveraging technology to bridge the education gap in rural and semi-urban areas. They are also investing in technology-driven education solutions to enhance digital literacy in rural schools.

NavGurukul, Bangalore, provides free one-year residential coding courses for underprivileged youth and offers job placements in tech companies. The focus is on women and marginalised communities to enhance employability.

Next Education India (an SME in Hyderabad) has launched Next Learning Platform, providing AI-driven smart learning solutions to government schools, benefiting thousands of students in rural India.

Edutel Technologies, Bangalore, runs satellite-based interactive classrooms to deliver high-quality education to students in government schools across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.

b) Skill Development and Vocational Training

SMEs are helping youth to gain employable skills through vocational training programs.

Vinayak Textiles, Gujarat, runs a CSR initiative trains underprivileged youth in textile design and production and helps them to secure jobs in the industry.

Jaquar Group (Haryana) runs plumbing training institutes across India, providing free skill development training to underprivileged youth.

Hindustan Coco-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. (West Bengal) launched the Saksham Training Centre, which provides vocational training in fields such as IT, retail and hospitality.

c) Free Stationery and School Infrastructure

Some SMEs support education by providing essential school supplies and improving school infrastructure.

Navneet Education Ltd., a Mumbai-based SME, distributes free notebooks, stationery, and solar-powered study lamps to students in tribal and remote areas.

Tirupati Foam Ltd. (Ahmedabad), provides free school furniture, books, and uniforms to government schools in Gujarat.

Berger Paints (Kolkata) launched ‘Berger Priyo Shikkhok’, a program that rewards and trains government school teachers in innovative teaching methodologies.

2. Healthcare Initiatives by SMEs

a) Low-Cost Healthcare Solutions

Many SMEs are creating affordable healthcare models for underprivileged communities.

Glocal Healthcare (an SME in West Bengal) has developed low-cost micro-hospitals in rural India, offering telemedicine and AI-driven diagnostics and treatment at affordable prices.

Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd. (Mumbai) operates low-cost ambulance services (Dial 108 and 1298) in multiple states, providing emergency healthcare support.

b) Mobile Medical Units and Health Camps

Many SMEs operate mobile medical vans to provide healthcare in remote areas. They conduct free medical check-ups and awareness programs in rural areas.

Bioline India, a Pune-based SME in the medical equipment sector, conducts free diabetes and heart check-up camps in villages across Maharashtra.

Vatsalya Healthcare (Karnataka) operates mobile health clinics offering maternal and child healthcare services in underserved regions.

Narayana Hrudayalaya (Bangalore) runs a ‘Healthy Heart Program’, offering subsidised cardiac surgeries for children from low-income families.

c) Maternal and Child Health Programs

Several SMEs support maternal and child health by promoting nutrition awareness and free medical check-ups.

Shakti Pumps Ltd. in Madhya Pradesh, runs a CSR initiative to distribute iron and vitamin supplements to pregnant women in rural areas, reducing malnutrition.

Himalaya Drug Company in Bangalore runs the ‘Shishu Samrakshan’ program, offering free nutrition kits and prenatal care for expecting mothers in tribal regions.

Mankind Pharma in Delhi conducts free paediatric health camps, distributing medicines and nutritional supplements to malnourished children.

3. Poverty Alleviation Initiatives by SMEs

a) Livelihood and Employment Generation

SMEs are helping unemployed youth and women to gain financial independence. Many SMEs help people in low-income groups start small businesses.

Selco India, a Bengaluru-based solar SME, provides micro-financing and training to rural entrepreneurs to set up solar-powered businesses.

Vasundhara Dairy in Gujarat trains rural farmers in dairy farming and milk production, improving their incomes.

b) Support for Street Vendors and Small Business Owners

SMEs help informal workers gain access to better financial and business resources. They help small-scale vendors and artisans gain better market access.

GoCoop, a handloom marketplace in Bangalore, connects artisans and handloom weavers to urban consumers, eliminating middlemen, helping them earn fair wages and expand their markets.

Sarvodaya Ventures in Maharashtra supports tribal artisans by training them in bamboo handicrafts and helping them access e-commerce platforms.

c) Food and nutrition

Swiggy's "Swiggy Suraksha" initiative uses AI to optimize food donations, reducing waste and feeding the needy. The AI algorithms match surplus food from restaurants with NGOs and food banks. Swiggy has donated millions of meals to underserved communities.

Zomato’s Feeding India Initiative uses a tech-enabled platform to match food donations with NGOs and beneficiaries. The initiative distributes surplus food from restaurants to the underprivileged, tackling food waste and hunger simultaneously. The company uses an App-based tracking of surplus food collection and delivery. The programme has enabled over 100 million meals to be donated to the underprivileged.

Mitti Café (Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad) runs cafés staffed by differently-abled individuals and offers free meals to underprivileged communities.

4. Rural Development Initiatives by SMEs

a) Renewable Energy and Sustainable Farming

SMEs are promoting eco-friendly solutions for rural electrification and agriculture.

Husk Power Systems, an SME in Bihar, has developed biomass-powered mini-grids, providing clean electricity to remote villages.

Onergy Solar in West Bengal provides affordable solar power solutions to villages with unreliable electricity.

Ecozen Solutions in Pune develops solar-powered cold storage units for farmers, reducing post-harvest losses.

b) Clean Water and Sanitation Projects

Water purification and sanitation awareness campaigns are key focus areas.

Sarvajal, a social enterprise in Ahmedabad, has installed solar-powered water ATMs in water-scarce rural areas, ensuring access to safe drinking water.

Eram Scientific Solutions, an SME in Kerala, manufactures self-cleaning eToilets, improving sanitation in public areas.

c) Smart Village Development Programs

Some SMEs work on integrated rural development, including infrastructure, education and healthcare.

Grameen Intel Social Business Ltd. helps farmers with AI-powered soil testing kits, improving crop yields while promoting sustainable farming.

Deshpande Foundation in Karnataka runs ‘Hubli Sandbox’, a social innovation hub, developing solutions for rural challenges.

Agastya International Foundation in Andhra Pradesh creates science education programs in rural schools, enhancing curiosity-driven learning.

5. Women Empowerment Initiatives by SMEs

a) Employment and Skill Training for Women

SMEs support women by providing employment opportunities and business training. They are also setting up women-centric training programs to boost financial independence.

Industree Foundation, an SME in Bangalore, trains rural women in handicrafts and fashion design.

Okhai in Gujarat helps tribal women to produce and sell handmade apparel and home decor.

b) Promoting Financial Literacy and Micro-Financing

Many SMEs run financial literacy campaigns and promote self-help groups (SHGs) for women.

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Bangalore) provides micro-loans and financial literacy training for rural women, encouraging savings and entrepreneurship.

Swadhaar FinAccess in Mumbai runs financial literacy workshops for women in low-income communities.

c) Health and Hygiene Awareness

Many SMEs focus on menstrual hygiene awareness and affordable sanitary products.

Goonj’s "Not Just a Piece of Cloth" (Delhi, NCR) focuses on menstrual health. The project components include working with small tailoring businesses to produce reusable sanitary pads for rural women and promoting menstrual hygiene awareness in remote areas.

Aakar Innovations, a Mumbai based SME producing biodegradable sanitary pads, runs awareness programs in rural schools and colleges and educates rural women on menstrual hygiene.

Saathi Pads in Ahmedabad produces eco-friendly, banana fibre-based sanitary napkins, promoting sustainability.

6. Environment & Sustainability

Environment and sustainability are key areas for SME intervention.

Selco Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. (Karnataka) focuses on renewable energy. The company provides subsidised solar lighting for rural homes and businesses, and supports microfinance models for solar adoption.

Hasiru Dala Innovations (Bangalore) empowers waste pickers by providing livelihood support and skill training and creates recyclable products from waste to reduce landfill impact.

Farmizen (Bangalore) helps small farmers adopt organic farming practices and connects them with urban consumers for direct sales.

7 Final Thoughts

SMEs in India are increasingly adopting innovative CSR strategies to create sustainable social impact. Their focus on education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, rural development, and women empowerment has resulted in scalable and long-lasting improvements in local communities.

However, financial constraints, lack of structured CSR frameworks, and operational challenges remain hurdles. Collaborations with NGOs, government schemes, and large corporations can help SMEs amplify their impact while ensuring long-term sustainability.

By leveraging technology, skill development, and sustainable solutions, SMEs can continue playing a critical role in India's socio-economic development.