New Delhi, 27 February 2024: On World NGO Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminum, announced that its impactful outreach efforts in partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have resulted in a positive transformation in the lives of nearly 5 lakh individuals across India in FY23 alone. Cumulatively, the company’s social interventions have positively impacted over 6.3 lakh individuals in the last fiscal. The company is actively collaborating with over 20 NGOs to drive socio-economic progress in alignment with community needs, the government’s developmental initiatives, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Vedanta Aluminium’s operations include one of the world’s largest aluminum smelters in Jharsuguda, a world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh in Odisha, India’s iconic aluminum producer BALCO in Korba, Chhattisgarh, and growing mines vertical. Together, they are bringing several areas in rural India into the socio-economic mainstream by reducing multi-dimensional rural poverty and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The company’s social welfare interventions are based on five thematic areas spanning education, healthcare, livelihood, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports, art & culture, with a focus on women & child development.

NGOs are crucial to this entire effort, adding strengths such as deep penetration into rural communities, program development expertise, and insights into social structures and customs. They function on a scientific basis, conducting need assessments to ascertain the needs of the communities that could benefit from Vedanta Aluminium’s social support, developing a programmatic approach to welfare initiatives, and conducting regular impact assessments to gauge the efficacy of the welfare programs. The NGOs subsequently recalibrate or enhance the ongoing programs based on these definitive findings.

Every NGO partner working with Vedanta Aluminium is selected only after rigorous due diligence. Once onboarded, projects are closely monitored in terms of execution and impact, with partners audited regularly in keeping with international standards. Initiatives are undertaken with the long-term goal of making communities self-sustaining. Thus, project milestones are designed such that community members take complete ownership eventually.

Mr. John Slaven, CEO, of Vedanta Aluminium said, “Our community investments have grown by a significant 45% between FY21 and FY23, reflecting a strong commitment to the holistic development of the communities within which we operate. By establishing strategic partnerships with reputed NGOs, we leverage our shared strengths to design and deliver impactful social welfare initiatives to our community members. At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe that inclusive growth stems from empowering all segments of society. Our NGO partnerships deliver on this front by catalysing transformative, sustainable development.”

Ongoing collaborations involve working with domain-specific experts on a broad range of interventions, such as the Punaruthan Voluntary Organisation which is addressing the healthcare needs of over 2 lakh beneficiaries in Odisha through essential healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, in association with the Sarthak Jan Vikas Sansthan, the company has undertaken Project Nayi Kiran, a transformative project focused on ensuring better menstrual health and hygiene practices among rural girls.

Vedanta Aluminium has also partnered with the Vedanta Foundation to implement skill development programs in trades such as electricals and tailoring for rural youths, boosting their employability. In collaboration with Action For Food Production (AFPRO), the company is encouraging enhanced farming practices and food security through initiatives such as ‘Jeevika Samridhhi’ in Jharsuguda and ‘Mor Jal Mor Maati’ at Korba. Moreover, it has also partnered with the Sportz Village Foundation to provide archery & karate training to rural youths, which has resulted in several laurels won at the state and national level.

Sharing the impact of these initiatives, Dr Jacob John, Executive Director, of Action For Food Production (AFPRO) said, “Through our partnership with Vedanta Aluminium, we are ensuring a transformative impact on thousands of farmers and also re-establishing farming as a sustainable livelihood choice for younger generations.” Adding his views, Mr. Jugal Pattnayak, Managing Director, Mahashakti Foundation, said “We have partnered with Vedanta Aluminium on entrepreneurship initiatives which are helping women in rural areas make informed choices on their family’s wellbeing and also play a more active role in their community’s development.”

Their cumulative impact resonates strongly with the theme of observing this year’s World NGO Day: “Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of NGOs in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Through these strategic initiatives, the company actively enriches the lives of community members within its operational areas and beyond, recognizing them as integral contributors to collective socio-economic progress and growth.