HCL Foundation

HCLFoundation's flagship program, HCL Samuday, embodies HCL's commitment to rural India's upliftment. Established in 2015, Samuday aims to create a sustainable and scalable model for rural development in collaboration with various stakeholders. Through interventions in Agriculture, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Livelihood, and WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), the programme empowers local communities to identify and co-create solutions for their challenges. With professional support from the Samuday team, it fosters sustainability and community ownership in the development process. Currently active in three blocks of Uttar Pradesh, HCL Samuday reaches 765 villages, impacting approximately 600,000 people and 90,000 households, demonstrating a commitment to present and future well-being.

HCLFoundation's HCLTech Grant, initiated in 2015, supports and recognizes impactful NGOs working in rural development across Environment, Health, and Education. This Corporate Social Responsibility commitment acknowledges the vital role of NGOs as the Fifth Estate in India's progress. Winning NGOs receive ₹5 Crore (~US$0.65 Million) for a four-year project, and finalists get ₹25 lakhs (~US$0.03 Million) for year-long initiatives, totaling ₹16.5 Crores (~US$2.2 Million) for Edition IX. The initiative also documents best practices, benefiting millions in 131 districts across India. So far, it has committed ₹130.45 Crore (~US$15.8 Million) to projects, impacting over 18 lakh beneficiaries in rural areas.

HCLFoundation's Uday programme focuses on urban CSR in cities where HCL operates. It addresses challenges associated with urbanization and migration, aiming to achieve equitable and sustainable development for urban communities living in poverty. Uday tackles various urban issues, including education, healthcare, livelihoods, sanitation, and environmental conservation, while emphasizing child protection, inclusion, and gender equality. Implemented through partnerships with the Government, NGOs, urban communities, and HCL's community champions, the programme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and National Missions. Uday's comprehensive, continuous, and collaborative approach spans all stages of life and brings together diverse stakeholders for positive urban transformation.

HCL Foundation, in partnership with NOIDA Authority, has initiated "My Clean City" to address the growing challenge of municipal solid waste in NOIDA. With a vision to enhance the city's waste management system and make it one of the cleanest in the country, this project encompasses capacity building, behaviour change campaigns, awareness drives, and technological solutions. "My Clean City" strives to create a litter-free and waste-free environment, targeting Residential Welfare Associations and urban villages within NOIDA, thereby contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable urban landscape.

HCLFoundation introduced "Harit – The Green Initiative" as a flagship environmental programme with a vision to sustainably preserve and enhance native ecosystems, combat climate change, and engage communities. Harit emphasizes developing scalable, economically viable, socially acceptable, and inclusive models. It follows a participatory and convergent approach to achieve UN SDG goals aligned with the National Indicator Framework for SDG. Key themes include increasing green cover, conserving water bodies, reducing CO2 emissions, improving coastal habitats, addressing human-animal conflict, and raising environmental awareness within communities using innovative tools.

This initiative actively involves artisans and primary producers by providing them with skill-building opportunities and essential market-driven knowledge, encompassing both technical and non-technical aspects to enhance the quality of their creations. It fosters entrepreneurial talent within these communities while establishing crucial market connections. Every purchase made directly contributes to increasing an artisan's income, thereby instilling hope and happiness within families residing in remote villages. Additionally, it plays a pivotal role in bolstering India's handicraft sector, ensuring its continuous growth and prosperity.

Sports For Change, an initiative by the HCL Foundation, aims to provide a high-quality and inclusive sports experience to children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its objectives include promoting sports participation at the grassroots level, linking sports with broader development goals, and empowering young leaders from these communities. Since its start in 2015 in Chennai, the programme identifies and nurtures young talent, resulting in over 21,000 athletes reached, 113 sports scholars receiving scholarships, 89 students gaining college admission through sports quotas, and 104 students competing at State/National levels.