According to you, what are the top priorities in your organisation for taking initiatives through CSR for the inclusive growth of your organisation?
Sandvik CSR is a strategic step forward that goes beyond business to engage with communities around our sphere of operations by leveraging the skills and enthusiasm of our employees and partners best suited to create impact. This definition captures Sandvik’s philosophy with regards to CSR and the key elements of its implementation strategy.
How have you designed the CSR programs in your organisation?
Sandvik’s CSR design is a holistic, long term strategy that aligns with our core values of “Customer Focus”, “Innovation”, “Passion to win” and “Fair play” and adheres to the Sandvik Code of Conduct. Sandvik’s rich experience spanning five decades across multiple locations in India has provided insights on some of the gaps in social development required to sustain economic growth. For example, Sandvik clearly recognizes the severe quality/skill gaps in the community with regards to the education and skill training.
Sandvik believes that – Sandvik CSR can maximize impact if it focuses on those needs where it can leverage its core competencies and employee’s skills. The interventions will primarily be through structured CSR programs, based on policies that are well defined for internal stakeholders and include robust processes for impact measurement and communication.
Education is a key driver for ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Is there any mandate to support in the education sector in the society?
Sandvik CSR vision is to contribute towards creating innovative and sustainable solutions in the field of education, skill and sustainable communities in various spheres that we operate in India.
For education to play a critical role in transforming the society and ending poverty, the focus of the school needs to be on good learning tools, increasing gender equality, improved and sustainable infrastructure, focus on child safety, mental and physical wellbeing. And the real transformation in the society will come if innovation becomes part of curriculum in each school.
To transform the government schools in India, Sandvik fellows work in five schools across four states and reach more than 3750 students under our school initiative in quality education, innovation, gender equity, and safety.
How do you identify the credible partners for leveraging strategic partnerships?
Sandvik projects are planned as per the policy and therefore there is a clear agenda in running each of our initiative. The implementing partner needs to be a knowledge expert in the Sandvik focus of CSR. With this minimum requirement, an assessment is conducted on the performance of the partner for last three years. The partner also needs to comply with our Code of Conduct in executing the program. This way we establish the credibility of our partner and work with them to enhance it.
How do you engage your employees towards achieving Impactful resource?
At Sandvik we believe that every individual plays an active role in taking our society forward. We ensure that Sandvik’s various CSR initiatives help each Sandvik employee to identify a cause to connect to through volunteering.
There are four major facets through which employees can volunteer, such as –
a. One time volunteering for an event or a specific activity,
b. Short term (Skill based) volunteering to support social organisations professionally.
c. Strategic Volunteering, where seniors from Sandvik support social organisation by mentoring them of a specific aspect of work (for e.g. Managing Finances).
d. In kind volunteering – to support a cause through financial support.
An example of Sandvik Employees working as an Impactful resource –
Yusuf Meharally Centre (YMC) is a voluntary organisation registered in the year 1860, with a vision of wholesome Rural Development. At their Panvel based centre YMC has a village industry set up where they produce Ghani oil, bathing soaps, pottery and car panting. Sandvik’s Operations team is currently helping YMC to improve their village industry set up by its interventions for with following objectives –
a. Making Machines safer.
b. Reducing cost of production / maintenance by following SOPs.
c. Improving working conditions by providing proper lamination, ventilation, flooring, etc.
d. Training YMC team for improved work ethics
This is an example of extending professional support to the social organisations to help them overcome the years of sluggishness due to lack of expert technical support.
Success stories from Sandvik
Sandvik is closely working with organisations that are making a difference to the lives of the people. Some of the success stories that have transformed the lives of people are as below –
1. We support SAMPARC to provide digital literacy to the rural youth and school dropout youth under the digital literacy drive.
• Kiran Kacharu Ovhal is one such example. He belongs to a financial weaker single parent family residing at Bhaje village. He was unable to complete his higher education because of his family condition as his priority was to support his family financially. He was struggling to find a job when he came to know about SAMPARC VTC. He completed his basic MS-CIT course, and has now joined railways at Car Shade Kurla Depo. Today he is working with Indian Railway and withdrawing the salary of Rs. 18000/- per month and now takes care of his family.
2. Lila Poonawalla Foundation Scholarship supported by Sandvik Asia was awarded to the following girls to pursue their studies –
• Dhanashree Ramdas Raskar pursued Mechanical Engineering after Diploma from the VIT College of Engineering. While Dhanshree’s father expired sometime back, her mother works as an Assistant in an Electronic Shop. After completing her graduation with SGPA of 8.2, she got placed in Neilsoft India Pvt. Ltd and hopes to pursue Masters. In her spare time, she loves to dance and listen to good music.
• Dipavali Gajanan Naphade: Dipavali pursued Mechanical Engineering after Diploma from VIT College of Engineering. While Dipavali’s father works in a Juice Stall, her mother is a home-maker. After completing her graduation with SGPA of 9.2, she got placed in Praj Industries. In her spare time she loves to read Historical Books, Listening to Music and to play Chess, Badminton and Crafting. She is an all-rounder and has represented her school and college at District Level for various competitions.
3. DoorStep School –Every Child Counts – Pimpri – Chichwad
In-line with Sustainable Development Goal of Inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, we support the Doorstep schools – Every child counts initiative. This project aims to provide educational inclusion to the children of the marginalized communities like rag pickers, roadside dwellers and migrant communities. It works towards preventing child labour by ensuring children reach school at right age and continue their schooling and to increase Stakeholder’s participation and strengthens the cause of Every Child Counts programme. We are supporting this program since 2014 and have enrolled 3335 children in schools to give them access to mainstream education. ECC program also works with communities on girl child education1565/ 3335 girls enrolled in mainstream schools so far in PCMC area (46%).
