GramUrja Human Development Foundation

The Gram Hunar Fellowship Programme, part of Gram Urja's vision for quality education in Maharashtra, aims to create a network of empowered educational leaders within communities, fostering transformative change in rural education. Recognizing the importance of stakeholder engagement (Teachers, School Management Committee, Parents, Students, Panchayat), the programme addresses the ASER 2018 findings indicating challenges in reading and mathematics skills among 50% of rural Maharashtra students. By nurturing and transforming children and youth, the initiative contributes to the holistic development and sustainability of villages.

Under 'Gram Udyam,' GramUrja Foundation launches diverse initiatives. Introduced in 2021, Entrepreneurship Webinars empower rural youth and women, emphasizing career building, financial independence, and Government funding schemes in agro-allied entrepreneurship. Conducted by experts from the District Entrepreneurship Development Cell, these webinars cover schemes from both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Collaborating with Gopalpur Gram Panchayat, the Foundation trained 62 rural women, focusing on small business initiation, resource utilization, and government-led marketing and scaling schemes. Additionally, an Entrepreneurship Tinkering Program addresses the gap in social skill development among high school students due to online schooling. This online course integrates start-up ideation, business planning, real entrepreneur pitching, and cultivates essential skills like entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving, innovation, communication, and teamwork.

GramUrja Foundation's 'Gram Connect' programme conducts vital outreach initiatives. Its Shirt Distribution reached 300 people in 33 villages across Beed, Maharashtra, addressing the dire need for clothing exacerbated by the pandemic's economic strain. Additionally, by distributing 3500 pairs of shoes across the same villages, the Foundation identified underprivileged individuals, particularly youths aspiring for careers in the police, army, or sports, who lacked proper footwear due to financial constraints caused by the widening economic gap during the COVID-19 crisis. Simultaneously, its Rural Survey Project in Beed district's Ashti, Patoda, and Shirur Kasar blocks gathered essential data through door-to-door surveys. This information aids in crafting a comprehensive guide to raise awareness about Government schemes tailored to meet the community's specific needs and requirements.

Distributing 1,54,000 N-95 masks across three districts, GramUrja Foundation prioritized the safety of frontline workers such as healthcare professionals, police personnel, ASHA workers, sanitation workers, administrative officers, and bank employees, among others, to mitigate the airborne transmission of COVID. Addressing the surge in cases, PPE kits were provided to frontline workers in COVID care centres, with a focus on Government hospitals. To address the oxygen shortage in rural areas, 25 mobile oxygen concentrators were procured, benefitting critically ill patients. The Dry Ration Support Drive aimed to provide sustenance to 2000 families (5300 individuals) affected by job losses.