The Strategic Landscape of Essar’s CSR Initiatives in 2024
The Essar Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning energy, infrastructure, metals & mining, ports, steel and construction, technology and retail, has long been a leader in corporate philanthropy. The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm — Essar Foundation is an independent identity, working to strengthen the group’s vision for an equitable and sustainable world. Over the last 50 years, Essar Foundation has worked closely with communities at the grassroots to address local social, economic, and environmental issues.
Companies like Essar allocate some of their funds to CSR with initiatives spanning across rural transformation, health, education, youth development, sports, women empowerment, etc. contributing to India’s social and economic development.
Though the brand was under scrutiny during Essar Litigation, the conglomerate continues to work on community initiatives, showcasing its resolute commitment to welfare.
Essar’s Initiatives in 2024
In 2024, the Essar Foundation has touched many lives across various villages. Notable highlights include advancing health & well-being, supporting youth talent, promoting healthy lifestyles, etc.
Some of the specific CSR initiatives undertaken by the company in 2024 include:
Initiatives around Education
In education, the foundation’s initiatives range from supporting early childhood to higher education. It also invested in helping create school infrastructure, contributing to school supplies, promoting education through awareness programmes, and distributing school kits. The foundation’s initiatives have set a benchmark for child-friendly learning and are focused on bringing real change by embedding activity-based learning in the classroom.
Supported Youth Talent
In 2024, Essar Foundation sponsored a football tournament uniting teams from diverse backgrounds, promoting unity, and community spirit. It associated with the St. Francis Group of Institutions Football Tournament uniting students, teachers, parents, and the wider community, fostering unity, collaboration, and healthy competition.
In addition to supporting the football tournament, Essar Foundation has continued its support for the St. Francis Orphanage by providing football coaching and training to strengthen children’s athletic abilities.
In February 2024, Essar Foundation organised a four-day ‘Sport Events for Orphans’ initiative. Through this event, the group aimed to bring joy and opportunity to the orphans of St. Francis Orphanage in the distant suburb of Mumbai.
Essar Foundation also continued its long-term support for Priya Gupta, an enthusiastic athlete passionate about race-walking. The group supported her aspirations to represent India on the international stage for the past few years.
By supporting youth talent, the Essar Foundation aims to inspire a new generation of sporting champions and contribute to India’s success on the global stage.
Promoted Healthy Lifestyle
Essar Group made notable investments in promoting healthier communities in 2024. It organized Nutrition Awareness Camps in 20 villages to encourage better health practices and well-being. Earlier, the company showed its commitment by focusing on menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent women. Thus, it initiated Sahaj which produced low-cost, hygienic pads for local women in many villages. This initiative helped increased awareness about menstrual hygiene among young adolescent girls and provided job opportunities to women in rural areas.
It also empowered mothers with vital health knowledge during World Breastfeeding Week to support family wellness. The foundation remained focused on improving healthcare infrastructure and services including the establishment of healthcare centres, health awareness programs, etc. for the betterment of the communities.
Essar Organises ‘Dwarika Padyatra Seva Camp’ for Pilgrims
Essar Foundation commenced ‘Dwarika Padyatra Seva Camp’ at Kajuria Pati in 2024. The initiative proved beneficial for numerous pilgrims who made their way to Dwarika to participate in the ‘Fuldol Mahotsav’ (Holi). Aligned with the group’s principle of serving humanity is tantamount to serving God, Essar’s ‘Dwarika Padyatra Seva Camp’ was dedicated to offering essential support to holy pilgrims. By providing shelter, food, water, and medical assistance to the pilgrims, the camp ensures the well-being of all visitors.
Empowering Communities
Essar Foundation has dedicatedly worked to transform communities. By collaborating with several organizations, the Foundation’s initiatives reach out to different Indian states and to remote areas.
Above are some of Essar’s past CSR initiatives. From women empowerment to child education to regional development to health & hygiene, Essar reached more than 5,00,000 individuals annually. Essar Foundation, far beyond mere good deeds, embodies a transformative social force. By adhering to global standards, the Essar Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to transparency, accountability and a broader vision of contributing to global sustainability.
Conclusion
With Essar Foundation continuing its CSR journey in 2025 and beyond, the ongoing challenges of balancing diverse interests, ensuring inclusivity, and measuring impact provide key opportunities for continuous growth and improvement. The foundation’s adaptability and responsiveness positions it as a dynamic force for positive change to create more stories of empowerment and inspiration in 2025 as well.
With over 50+ years of service across India, Essar Foundation has stood by the nation every step. Despite being pulled into Essar Litigation, the Group has been consistent about performing its social duties. By integrating social responsibility into its core values and operations, the foundation sets a commendable example for corporate entities seeking to create a positive impact.