CII Foundation

Driving social change through a collaborative approach partnering with Government, corporates and civil society

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Spotlight on Donors

Under the project in Fatehabad, Haryana, supported by @CadenceIndia large-scale awareness building activities and hands-on training sessions were taken up regularly to promote sustainable crop residue management amongst farmers.

These efforts include:

- Door-to-door and farm-to-farm campaigns, including pamphlet distribution
- Meetings with farmers, cooperative societies and progressive farmers
- Village nukkad nataks and awareness programs in schools and colleges
- Social media campaigns to broaden awareness
- A cadre of local youth volunteers helps gather real-time feedback and coordinate with the cooperative and field teams, particularly for machinery bookings.
-Regular technical sessions with machinery manufacturers and other expert farmers.

By strengthening awareness, community participation and practical training, the initiative is working to make sustainable residue management a practical choice for more farmers.

#MakingChangePossible #MeetOurPartnersInChange #CropResidueManagement #CIIFoundation #Cadence #FarmerEngagement #SustainableAgriculture #NoStubbleBurning
@FollowCII @cii4nr @moefcc @PradhanCK

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Deepening Impact, Expanding Reach | CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26

During 2025–26, the CII Foundation continued its disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts.

In Punjab, the Foundation supported farmers across five flood-affected districts helping them resume cultivation over 1,190 acres of agricultural land.
In Himachal Pradesh, Temporary Relief Centres were established in Mandi district to provide safe shelter to affected families, while rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad, Kerala, continued to strengthen early childhood education and support tribal livelihoods.

These efforts reflect the importance of collaborative action in helping disaster-affected communities rebuild and recover.

Explore the Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation section of the CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26 to discover more about the initiatives, their progress and impact.

Read the Activity Report: https://t.co/WArfmI9NaV

#CIIFoundation #ActivityReport #DeepeningImpact #DisasterRelief #CommunityResilience #Rehabilitation #SustainableDevelopment
@FollowCII @ciicesd @CII4ER @CIICWL @CII4WR
@CII4SR @CII_CEL @CadenceIndia @HDFCBankCSR @mnreindia @PIBAgriculture @MoRD_GoI @moefcc @EduMinOfIndia @PAU_LDH @PirojshaGodrejF
@nvidia @JSWFoundation @IndianOilcl @PTC_Financial @BorgWarner @csrboxorg @down2earthindia @MongabayIndia @thebetterindia

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

With air pollution turning into a major civic challenge, the CII Foundation is launching the Clean Air, Healthy Zones Program to work comprehensively on the ground in the industrial cities of Faridabad and Ghaziabad, advancing cleaner air and healthier lives through targeted interventions and community engagement.

The program will focus on:

• Strengthening air quality monitoring
• Mitigating air pollution sources
• Promoting cleaner urban spaces
• Advancing health awareness and protection
• Building citizen awareness and encouraging collective action for cleaner air

The initiative will also bring together industry, government and communities to deliberate on actionable strategies for cleaner production, environmental compliance and sustainable air pollution mitigation.

Time to come together for cleaner air and healthier lives.

Watch this space for more!

#CIIFoundation #CleanAir #AirPollution #HealthyZones #RespiratoryHealth #Faridabad #Ghaziabad #EnvironmentalSustainability #CommunityAction #CleanAirIndia

@FollowCII @ciicesd @CAQM_Official @MoHFW_INDIA @moefcc @PradhanCK

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Spotlight on Donors

Meet our donor @CadenceIndia

Since 2024, Cadence Design Systems has been supporting the Crop Residue Management initiative in Tohana and Bhuna blocks of Fatehabad, Haryana, helping farmers adopt environment-friendly crop residue management practices to mitigate stubble burning.

Under this project farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers, are being supported through awareness-building activities and access to machinery, making alternatives to stubble burning more accessible.

Today, the intervention covers 19 villages, 2,528 farmers and 21,665 acres of farmland.

Cadence’s support contributes to making sustainable residue management more accessible to farming communities- helping turn awareness into action and alternatives into sustainable agricultural practices.

We are privileged to have Cadence Design Systems as a committed partner in our journey to promote sustainable agriculture in Haryana.

Follow us as we share the progress of our projects in creating a zero-stubble burning movement.

#MakingChangePossible #MeetTheChampions #CropResidueManagement #CIIFoundation #Cadence #SustainableAgriculture #NoStubbleBurning
@FollowCII @cii4nr @moefcc @PradhanCK

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Deepening Impact, Expanding Reach | CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26

Empowerment takes shape when women have the opportunity, confidence and support to lead change within their communities.

The year brought together initiatives advancing grassroots leadership, financial empowerment and created pathways for greater independence for women.

Through the Woman Exemplar Program, the Foundation expanded its network of grassroots women leaders, welcoming 20 new women changemakers who joined a powerful network of over 150 grassroots leaders to drive social change.

The state-focused Empowering Champions of Change Program strengthened its engagement in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, while Leading with Finance - A Pathway to Power focused on advancing women’s financial empowerment.

Together, these initiatives reflect the importance of enabling women to lead, participate and shape change in their communities.

Every woman’s journey holds a story of change. Explore the Women Empowerment section of the CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26 to discover more.

Read the Activity Report: https://t.co/WArfmI9NaV
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#CIIFoundation #ActivityReport #DeepeningImpact #GrassrootsDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment #CropResidueManagement #WomenEmpowerment #ClimateResilience @FollowCII
@ciicesd @CII4ER @CIICWL @CII4WR @CII4SR @CII_CEL @CadenceIndia @HDFCBankCSR @mnreindia @PIBAgriculture @MoRD_GoI @moefcc @EduMinOfIndia @PAU_LDH @PirojshaGodrejF @nvidia @JSWFoundation @IndianOilcl @PTC_Financial @BorgWarner @csrboxorg @down2earthindia @MongabayIndia @thebetterindia

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

How do you turn a conversation into a win-win outcome?

For grassroots leaders, negotiation is part of everyday work — whether engaging with stakeholders, navigating differences or making a case for their communities.

During the leadership training, our Women Exemplars explored the seven elements of negotiation and how understanding the interests and perspectives of all parties can shape more meaningful conversations.

The learning went beyond presenting one's own proposal. It focused on listening, identifying common ground and building a shared understanding as a step towards finding solutions that work for everyone.

For our Women Exemplars, this was an opportunity to strengthen their negotiation skills and bring a more collaborative, win-win approach to their leadership.
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#WEP2026 #WomanExemplarProgram #NegotiationSkills #WomenLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CIIFoundation @CIICWL
@followcii

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

The true spirit of Diwali lies in spreading light, creating opportunities and bringing positive change. May this festive season renew our collective commitment to building stronger, more resilient and inclusive communities.

Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous Diwali!
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#HappyDiwali #CIIFoundation #BrighterTomorrow

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Deepening Impact, Expanding Reach | CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26

During 2025–26, the CII Foundation continued to advance climate change resilience for communities through initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, water security and biodiversity conservation.

From promoting sustainable farming across Punjab and Haryana in 10.43 lakh acres to restoring village waterbodies across five villages in Gurugram district and planting trees to increase green cover and support livelihoods, the initiatives reflect the CII Foundation's continued commitment to strengthening climate resilience across landscapes and communities.

There’s much more to discover beyond these highlights. Explore the Climate Change Resilience section of the CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26 to discover more about the initiatives, their progress and impact.

Read the Activity Report: https://t.co/WArfmI9fln
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#CIIFoundation #ActivityReport #DeepeningImpact #GrassrootsDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment #CropResidueManagement #WomenEmpowerment #ClimateResilience
@FollowCII @ciicesd @CII4ER @CIICWL @CII4WR @CII4SR @CII_CEL @mnreindia @PIBAgriculture @MoRD_GoI @moefcc @EduMinOfIndia @PAU_LDH @PirojshaGodrejF @nvidia @JSWFoundation @CadenceIndia @HDFCBankCSR @IndianOilcl @PTC_Financial @BorgWarner @csrboxorg @down2earthindia @MongabayIndia @thebetterindia

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Deepening Impact, Expanding Reach | CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26

The year 2025–26 marked another step forward in CII Foundation’s journey towards creating meaningful impact. Through collaborative efforts across different thematic areas, the Foundation continued to strengthen grassroots development, expand access to opportunities and advance sustainable solutions spanning healthcare, education, livelihoods, sports, waste management and women’s empowerment, while building climate resilience through crop residue management, waterbody restoration and tree plantation initiatives.

Some highlights:

- The Crop Residue Management program reached 1,003 villages across Punjab and Haryana, with 85% of farmland saved from burning.

- The Woman Exemplar Program has been expanded to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to empower more grassroots women changemakers and strengthen community-led action.

The year’s work reflects not just the scale of initiatives undertaken, but the people, partnerships and local efforts that bring them to life.

And there’s much more to the story! Watch this space for more achievements and stories from the CII Foundation Activity Report 2025–26.

Read the Activity Report 2025–26 here: https://t.co/WArfmI9NaV

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#CIIFoundation #ActivityReport #DeepeningImpact #GrassrootsDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment #CropResidueManagement #WomenEmpowerment #ClimateResilience
@FollowCII @ciicesd @CII4ER @CIICWL @CII4WR @CII4SR @CII_CEL @CadenceIndia @HDFCBankCSR @mnreindia @PIBAgriculture @MoRD_GoI @moefcc @EduMinOfIndia @PAU_LDH @PirojshaGodrejF @nvidia @JSWFoundation @IndianOilcl @PTC_Financial @BorgWarner @csrboxorg @down2earthindia @MongabayIndia @thebetterindia

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

CII Foundation, in partnership with @NVIDIA, organised a District-Level Stakeholder Outreach & Farmer Connect on Crop Residue Management in Nath Nagar Block, Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

The event brought together government officials, agricultural experts, technical institutions and farmers to discuss sustainable crop residue management practices, machinery innovations and practical solutions to reduce stubble burning. Super Seeders were also handed over to project beneficiaries to facilitate the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

The event was attended by Chief Guest Shri Jaykesh Tripathi, Chief Development Officer, Sant Kabir Nagar, along with Dr. Devesh Kumar, Subject Matter Specialist, Agriculture Engineering, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sant Kabir Nagar; Dr. Vipin, Associate Scientist, International Rice Research Institute; Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh, Deputy Director, District Agriculture Office, Sant Kabir Nagar; Gurjeet Singh, Technical Assistant, Northern Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute; Ram Darash, Vice-President, Bharatiya Kisan Union and Vijay Upadhyay, Farmer.

Live demonstration of Super Seeder was also conducted to familiarise farmers with the technology and its practical application.

Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Shri Jaykesh Tripathi highlighted the benefits of adopting Super Seeder technology, stating, “Using a Super Seeder can save farmers both time and money, while also helping improve crop yield, provided it is used as per the recommended practices.”

The initiative aims to support 1,675 farmers across 15 villages, covering 9,393 acres of farmland in Sant Kabir Nagar.

Together, let’s accelerate the adoption of sustainable crop residue management practices and work towards a future free from stubble burning.
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#CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #StubbleBurning #CleanerAirBetterLife #ClimateAction #FarmerEmpowerment #AgriculturalInnovation #CIIFoundation #Nvidia @moefcc

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

🌾 Calling all startups working to end stubble burning!

CII Foundation, in partnership with Cadence Design Systems, invites applications for the CRM Startup Innovation Challenge 2026-27 on Crop Residue Management.

Do you have a market-ready solution that transforms paddy straw into value? Whether it's straw-based products, biogas, biomass pellets, bio-decomposers, smart machinery, or innovative in-situ residue management solutions, we want to hear from you!

✅ What’s on offer?
- One selected startup will receive financial assistance of ₹10 lakh (inclusive of all applicable taxes).
- Mentorship and technical guidance.
- Opportunity to implement a field pilot.
- Invitation to present at the Demo Day.

📌 Selection Note: Only one startup will be selected as the winner of the challenge and awarded the ₹10 lakh support financial assistance.

📄 Application Documents:
Interested startups are requested to review the "CRM Startup Challenge - Proposal Form", "CRM Startup Challenge – Cover letter", "CRM Startup Challenge – Basic info + affiliation", and "CRM_Startup_Challenge_Call_for_Applications" documents before preparing their submissions. Proposals should be developed strictly in accordance with the guidelines, eligibility criteria, and format provided in these documents.

Kindly access the documents through the link provided with this announcement: https://t.co/CmzcB9LsY9

🗓 Application Deadline: 15th November 2026, 12:00 AM
📧 How to Apply: Send your proposal form, cover letter, and basic details with affiliation to: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]

🎥 A short video showcasing your solution may also be submitted (optional).

Let’s turn crop residue into opportunity, creating cleaner air, stronger farmer livelihoods, and a more sustainable future. 🌱
#CIIFoundation #Cadence #CropResidueManagement #CRMChallenge #StubbleBurning #CleanAir #AgriTech #Startups #ClimateAction #StartupIndia #Innovation #Biomass #CircularEconomy @ciicesd @PAU_LDH @CadenceIndia

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

The CII Foundation's Crop Residue Management Initiative is supported by leading corporates committed to promoting sustainable development.

In 2026, our key supporters include HDFC Bank Parivartan, Fidelity International, JSW Foundation, NVIDIA, and Cadence Design Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd.

The CII Foundation appreciates the commitment and support of our partners in creating a zero-stubble burning movement.

Watch this space to meet more of our Sustainability Champions next month.
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#MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #CIIFoundation #SustainableAgriculture #PartnershipsForImpact #NoStubbleBurning @cii4nr @FollowCII @moefcc

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Leadership often calls for more than taking charge. It involves understanding how we lead, making thoughtful decisions and navigating conversations with confidence.

In this reflection from the first day of the Women’s Leadership Training, Hemlata shares three key learnings from the leadership session and what stood out to her.

As we revisit the training through our Women Exemplars’ perspectives, we begin with the lessons that can shape how they approach their leadership journeys.
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#WEP2026 #WomanExemplarProgram #WomenLeadership #WomenLeaders #LeadershipDevelopment #CIIFoundation @CIICWL @followcii

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

The zero-stubble-burning movement starts with the community.

Across project villages, farmers, students, and youth volunteers drive change collectively - taking ownership and carrying the movement forward.

They come together at farmer outreach events and meetings and youth-led initiatives to share experiences and learnings, and this peer-to-peer interaction accelerates the adoption of sustainable crop residue management practices.

When communities take the lead, change becomes a shared commitment.
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#MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #CommunityParticipation #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #FarmerEngagement #NoStubbleBurning @moefcc @cii4nr @FollowCII

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Women’s voices are finding a place in local governance and community priorities are beginning to translate into action.
Through the #EmpoweringChampionsofChange program, supported by Apraava Energy, CII Foundation is strengthening grassroots women’s participation in Gram Sabhas across Madhya Pradesh, enabling them to raise community concerns and engage directly with local decision-makers.

At the Gram Sabha in Gadia village, women leaders followed up on a proposal raised earlier for 11 streetlights across the Gram Panchayat. With the materials now received, installation is set to begin — an important step towards making it easier for women to step out after dark for everyday needs, including fetching water.
At Gonchi Taronda Gram Panchayat in Narmadapuram district, women presented their applications and raised issues affecting their communities. The Gram Sabha also saw support for their proposal to organise karate classes, alongside discussions on priorities including access to water, sanitation, waste management and preventing child marriage.

These efforts reflect the importance of women’s participation beyond identifying concerns. By bringing community priorities into formal decision-making spaces and following up on proposed actions, women leaders are helping strengthen local accountability and build safer, more responsive communities.
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#ChampionsOfChange #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenLedBusinesses #MSMEs @followcii @CII4WR

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Three days. A room full of experiences. And conversations that went beyond the usual idea of leadership. 🌱

From understanding leadership styles and navigating negotiations to exploring AI, building narratives, mobilising resources and planning advocacy, the three-day Women’s Leadership Training brought together practical learning and shared reflection.

The sessions created space for our Women Exemplars to exchange perspectives, practise new skills and explore how these could support the work they are already leading.

Here’s a look back at the conversations, activities and moments that shaped the three days.
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#WEP2026 #WomanExemplarProgram #WomenLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CIIFoundation @followcii @CIICWL

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

🌿 Restoring landscapes, strengthening communities.

In the hills of Darzo Village, Mizoram, a watershed development initiative supported by Bharat Forge Ltd is helping build climate resilience through sustainable soil and water conservation measures. As part of Phase-1, 500 staggered contour trenches have been constructed to reduce soil erosion, improve rainwater retention, enhance groundwater recharge, and support long-term ecosystem restoration.

These trenches are more than just structures. They are investments in healthier landscapes, stronger livelihoods, and a more resilient future for local communities.

Glimpses from the field showcasing the dedication, hard work, and collective effort behind this milestone.
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#ClimateResilientCommunities #WatershedDevelopment #Mizoram #SoilAndWaterConservation #LandscapeRestoration #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment #BharatForge #CIIFoundation #WaterSecurity #EnvironmentalSustainability @followcii @CII4ER

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

ANGANWADI STRENGTHENING PROGRAM - WAYANAD, KERALA
“The children coming to the Anganwadi Centres now feel at home.”

For Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in flood-affected Wayanad, improved infrastructure has helped create more welcoming spaces where children can learn, explore and grow. With elements of Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) on every wall of the AWCs, each corner is a new opportunity for learning. The Anganwadi Workers are also better trained to use play-way techniques and spatial learning methods to ensure better learning outcomes in children.

Watch the video to hear firsthand about the changes and the transformation of these spaces.
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#CIIFoundation #WayanadFloodRelief #OrklaIndia #Anganwadi #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment @followcii @cii4sr @EduMinOfIndia

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

Ending stubble burning is not a one-organisation job.

The transition to sustainable crop residue management involves many people working together.
The CII Foundation successfully brings together diverse stakeholders, leverages the strengths and expertise of each stakeholder, translating collaboration into action for impactful on-ground change.

Through this collaborative approach, it has created a successful model of change that can be replicated and scaled for greater impact.
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#MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #CollectiveAction #PartnershipsForImpact #NoStubbleBurning @cii4nr @followcii @moefcc

[CII Foundation @CIIFoundation]

What if a farmer adopts the crop residue management methods promoted to mitigate stubble burning?

Sonu’s story from Tharvi village, Haryana, shows how using a combination of in-situ and ex-situ methods helped him stop stubble burning.

His journey highlights the importance of looking beyond the immediate challenge of clearing a field quickly and recognising the value of non-burning: lower cultivation costs, water savings and improved soil health which will increase yield over time.

Sonu has successfully moved from stubble burning to no burning across his 35 acres.
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#MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #WasteToWorth #ExSituManagement #CircularEconomy #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #NoStubbleBurning @moefcc @CII4nr @followcii