Collectives For Integrated Livelihoods Initiatives, Among Finalists For 2023 Ashden Award

The Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods Initiatives (CInI), an Associate organisation of Tata Trusts, is among one of seventeen outstanding organisations delivering innovative climate solutions that have reached the finals of the prestigious 2023 Ashden Awards, supported by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

240 organisations applied for the 2023 Ashden Awards, and CInI is one of just two finalists in the category of ‘Powering Agriculture-Tackling hunger and poverty in the Global South’ category, after a rigorous assessment and judging process involving on-the-ground visits and input from sector experts.

Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods Initiatives (CInI), Jamshedpur, established on May 17, 2007, is a nodal agency of Tata Trusts, anchoring the Central India Initiative. This initiative is the outcome of a quest to find a comprehensive response to issues of development in the central Indian tribal belt, through building knowledge and scaling up programmes in the areas of agricultural productivity stabilization, forest-based livelihoods, water resource development, renewable energy, drinking water and sanitation, microfinance and strengthening community-based organisations 

In the past few years, CInI has successfully designed and implemented the audacious Lakhpati Kisan programme, within which it has been able to integrate decentralized renewable energy focused technologies through the Production Hub approach. This has enabled small and marginal farmers to move towards the ‘Lakhpati pathway’ in a systematic manner.

Speaking about the nomination, Mr Ganesh Neelam, Executive Director, CInI and Zonal Manager, Tata Trusts, said, “The Ashden Awards hold worldwide prestige, and CInI is honoured to be among the two finalists in the theme of Powering Livelihoods. CInI’s approach of integrating ‘Decentralized Renewable Energy’ within the agriculture-and-allied-livelihoods value chain through the Production Hub model is its most recent programme innovation and has been well received by nearly 20,000 small and marginal farmers across four states of Central India. This integration of focus areas enables us to centre on ensuring economic security as well as addressing climate-based challenges in the tribal hinterlands. We sincerely thank the jury for appreciating our efforts and hope to be able to continue to make sustainable and irreversible changes in the lives of the communities we serve”.

Ashden, a UK charity, has been spotlighting transformative climate solutions for more than 20 years through their prestigious Ashden Awards scheme.

Dr Stephen Hall, Head of Awards at Ashden, said: “Our finalists are boundary-pushing pioneers cutting emissions and restoring nature. Crucially, they show how green jobs and community projects can drive a just transition and more equal society.”

The finalists for all Awards will be judged by international specialists on each award category. The winners will be announced in London in-person/online on 14 November 2023. Winners will receive financial and strategic support.

About Ashden: Ashden’s mission is to accelerate transformative climate solutions and build a more just world. Through awards and programmes, Ashden promotes and supports climate and energy innovators – including businesses, non-profits and public sector organisations. Find out more at https://www.ashden.org/. 

About the Ashden Awards: Eight Ashden awards highlighting proven solutions to the climate crisis and energy access challenges will be announced in November 2023 before COP28. Winners receive a cash prize, development support, and the chance to connect with investors and leading figures in the energy and climate sectors. Since 2001, Ashden has awarded more than 245 ground-breaking organisations. 

About Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods Initiatives: Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods Initiatives (CInI) is an organization established in 2007 with the vision of Making a Sustainable Difference in the Quality of Life of Rural and Tribal Communities in the Central Indian Tribal Belt. CInI has been working with more than 200,000 small and marginal families through the focused Lakhpati Kisan, Sustain Plus, Education, Drinking Water – Sanitation. Learn more about CInI here: https://www.cinicell.org/

About Tata Trusts: Since its inception in 1892, Tata Trusts, India’s oldest philanthropic organisation, has played a pioneering role in bringing about an enduring difference in the lives of the communities it serves. Guided by the principles and the vision of proactive philanthropy of the Founder, Jamsetji Tata, the Trusts’ purpose is to catalyse development in the areas of health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihood, digital transformation, migration and urban habitat, social justice and inclusion, environment and energy, skill development, sports, and arts and culture. The Trusts’ programmes, achieved through direct implementation, partnerships and grant making, are marked by innovations relevant to the country. For more information visit: www.tatatrusts.org