Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) has proven to be a leader in community support, ranking as the sixth top company for CSR in India in 2023. They are committed to blending sustainability with their business practices, and their CSR efforts focus on helping communities, protecting the environment, and supporting economic growth.
CSR Program of Godrej Consumer Products in FY 2023-24
In the fiscal year 2023-24, GCPL's community support efforts were guided by their 'Good & Green' vision and followed the guidelines of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. Their programs mainly aimed to improve livelihoods, support community projects, and promote environmental care.
One key program, Salon-i, started in the fiscal year 2012-13 and has trained over 284,000 women in basic beauty skills like skincare, haircare, and mehendi application. The program also teaches life skills and entrepreneurship, helping to increase the number of women who earn a living. An evaluation of Salon-i showed that three times more women started working for pay because of the training, showing the program's success in helping women find jobs and start their own businesses.
Following the success of Salon-i, GCPL introduced Beautypreneur, which helps women start their own businesses in the beauty and wellness industries. Since starting in the fiscal year 2016-17, the program has supported over 4,210 women entrepreneurs, with a high return on investment. Participants have seen their earnings increase by 50% after the training, highlighting significant economic benefits.
GCPL has also focused on environmental projects, particularly in waste management and recycling, using circular economy principles. They've worked with local governments to turn plastic waste into fuel and make biofuel briquettes from forest and agricultural waste. Currently processing 25 metric tons (MT) of waste per day, GCPL plans to double this by the end of 2023, significantly cutting down on landfill waste.
Moreover, the company has been active in water management in the drought-prone area of Siddipet, Telangana. This project supports sustainable farming and aims to restore ecological balance. So far, it has improved 1,362 hectares of land, with a goal to treat 3,234 hectares by 2023.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, GCPL quickly responded by distributing 4,400 food packets in communities near their factories and running 'Youth ki Awaaz', a program aimed at changing behaviors in water, health, and sanitation. This effort also focused on COVID-19 prevention, reaching 1,123 households, and educated 300 adolescent girls on menstrual health and hygiene.
Future Plans for 2024-25
For 2024-25, GCPL plans to expand its community support initiatives to better align with global sustainability goals. They want to focus more on reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy in their operations, aiming to help with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (Climate Action).
GCPL also plans to grow its educational and vocational training programs to include digital skills, meeting the growing need for tech skills in the job market. This expansion will support SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing broader educational opportunities to underserved communities.
In community development, GCPL aims to enhance its impact on economic empowerment by launching more advanced entrepreneurial programs, especially in rural areas, supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Matching with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
CSR Program of Godrej Consumer Products are carefully designed to meet several SDGs. Programs like Salon-i and Beautypreneur directly support SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women through skills training and entrepreneurship. Their environmental initiatives help achieve SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Through its focused approach to CSR, GCPL not only keeps its promise to sustainable development but also sets an example for integrating CSR into its main business strategies. As GCPL continues, its ongoing and future community projects are set to create big, lasting benefits that help build a better and more inclusive society.
For more information: CSR Program of Godrej Consumer Products
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