ESAF Small Finance Bank has established a wide range of social programmes to improve the quality of life for the low-income segment it serves. These initiatives run parallel to the Bank's commitment to offering exceptional and affordable financial services to the underserved and unserved sections.
Our implementing partners, ESAF Foundation and Prachodhan Development Services Limited, carry out our CSR programmes. In addition to the statutory allocation under the MCA's CSR standards, the Bank has adopted a CSR Policy under which 5% of the net profit, higher than the Government mandate of 2% of profits, is committed to CSR projects.
Building infrastructure for rural schools, skill training, entrepreneurship training, Balajyothi Clubs for holistic development of children, projects for migrant labourers, agricultural initiatives, and training for sustainable agriculture in various segments are some of the ways we contribute to building a sustainable society.
ESAF Balajyothi
Balajyothi is a flagship after-school programme aimed at moulding children into socially responsible citizens who are involved in local issues and bring about solutions through collective interventions. Balajyothi study centres extend academic support to the children to help them improve their performances. The programme also aims to create opportunities for developing non-academic skills through Balajyothi clubs. There is a focus on educating children on their rights, protecting them from all forms of child rights violations, and providing financially disadvantaged children professional training in arts and sports.
ESAF Skill Leap (Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme)
By empowering rural residents, particularly women, and micro-entrepreneurs, with specialised training and mentoring, the ESAF Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme generates social value. It improves rural livelihoods, lowers unemployment, and increases livelihood skills. Additionally, it promotes entrepreneurship and gives members a profitable way to advertise their distinctive goods.
Through training and mentoring, the ESAF Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme seeks to improve employability and entrepreneurship. It has given 1,170 women training and mentoring in 40 different skill areas, such as food processing, tailoring, marketing, and online webinars. The scheme has been successfully carried out in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
ESAF Village Level Entrepreneurship Development Programme
The ESAF Village Level Entrepreneurship Development Programme is an initiative aimed at empowering individuals in rural areas to become successful social entrepreneurs. The programme’s main objective is to train, advise, and support people who want to launch their own social enterprises and help the local economies in which they live. Participants of this programme receive in-depth training on a variety of entrepreneurship-related topics, such as business planning, financial management, marketing tactics, and customer relations. There are three projects under the programme: ESAF Urjabandhu, ESAF Pashumitra and ESAF Krushakmitra.
ESAF Urjabandhu
ESAF Urjabandhu is a programme dedicated to promoting renewable energy. Its main objectives are the promotion of the use of sustainable energy practices and increasing public knowledge of the advantages of renewable energy sources. By undertaking this project, ESAF Small Finance Bank hopes to help create a future that is greener and more environmentally friendly. Both theoretical and practical courses are offered on planning, installing, maintaining, and charging EVs using solar panels.
ESAF Pashumitra
ESAF Pashumitra offers services such as artificial insemination, vaccination, milk collection, and procurement. It offers young people a chance to work for themselves while enhancing the quality of cow breeds, diet, and health to boost milk production. Through the programme, rural youth receive instructions on artificial insemination and dairy enterprise as well as cattle care.
ESAF Krushakmitra
ESAF Krushakmitra is an initiative focused on agriculture-related activities. The programme's goal is to assist farmers by offering them the resources, information, and financial services they need to advance their agricultural operations. Through Krushakmitra, ESAF Bank seeks to strengthen farmer autonomy, increase agricultural productivity, and support the general growth of the agricultural industry.
ESAF Capacity Building and Marketing Linkages for Entrepreneurship Collectives
ESAF Small Finance Bank's Capacity Building and Market Linkage for Entrepreneurship Collectives is a programme aimed at empowering and strengthening collective enterprises. As part of this project, we work with different collective entrepreneurship organisations including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and producer associations. To improve the members' capacity for entrepreneurship, the programme offers training and skill-building programmes in areas such as company planning, money management, marketing plans, and product creation.
ESAF Infrastructure and Development Support
It aims at improving and strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure in underserved areas. The project focuses on providing support and resources to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare, and education facilities, particularly in rural and remote regions.
ESAF Santhwana
ESAF Santhwana is dedicated to improving the availability and accessibility of mental health information and interventions. This goal is accomplished through organised counselling sessions, the training of community mental health workers, outreach services, and various initiatives aimed at providing mental health information to individuals, families, community-based organisations, and caregivers. Additionally, the organisation offers psychosocial support and services to affected women, children, and families through systematic counselling. Furthermore, ESAF Santhwana empowers individuals by equipping them with skills to identify mental health problems and make appropriate referrals.
ESAF Garshom
ESAF Garshom is a project for the well-being of migrant guest workers, envisioning a safe, secure and dignified migration in the unorganised sector. The needs of the migrants and the challenges they face are addressed through a holistic intervention approach, tapping the source and the destination of the migrant corridors.
ESAF Community Interventions Through Branches (Including Emergency Relief)
Community interventions aim to transform community engagement and strengthen disaster management, uplifting the communities being served. By providing a strategic plan and guidance, it aims to implement game-changing CSR initiatives, including emergency relief. This is well in line with the Bank’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of affected communities.
CSR Activities: FY 2022-2023
In the financial year 2022-23, ESAF Small Finance Bank, in collaboration with the ESAF Foundation and Prachodhan Development Services, executed a wide array of impactful CSR activities. These initiatives included educational programs, skill development workshops, support for women entrepreneurs, healthcare assistance, mental health awareness sessions and rural infrastructure development activities.
Launch of ESAF Balajyothi Study Centres in Tamil Nadu
ESAF Foundation launched 27 Balajyothi study centres and clubs in Tamil Nadu. Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director of ESAF Foundation, inaugurated the Balajyothi study centres, and Shri. Reji Koshi Daniel, Head of Sustainable Banking, ESAF Small Finance Bank, delivered a special address. The programme was held at Senkarai Tribal Village in Kolli Hills. Around 50 children and 25 parents attended the function.
One-Day Workshop on the Role of Technology in Enhancing Life Skills
A one-day workshop on the 'Role of Technology in Enhancing Life Skills' was organised at CAHSS Ayakkad. Shri. Shahid K. P., Founder, KODERFIN, was the resource person for the session. The attendees had the opportunity to participate in practical sessions focused on developing socially relevant business ideas and understanding the crucial role of technology in promoting these businesses. A total of 55 students attended this informative and interactive session.
Balajyothi – Skill Development Programme
ESAF Foundation, through the Balajyothi project, organised 42 skill development programmes in Kerala and Tamil Nadu during August. These programmes were attended by 1,673 children. The training sessions covered various topics such as leadership and communication, public speaking, career guidance, and drawing. Additionally, a craft workshop was conducted for the children. Each programme commenced with an inaugural session, graced by the presence of elected members from local self-governments, bank officials, and members of the Balajyothi team. The sessions were facilitated by experienced professional trainers with extensive training backgrounds.
Hands-on Gardening: Balajyothi Kids Cultivate a Greener Future
Prachodhan Development Services organised a tree planting event in Paharudi, Dumka, on 16th August 2023. In collaboration with three Balajyothi clubs, 47 enthusiastic children were taught the essentials of seasonal vegetable selection, bed preparation, seeding, sapling planting, proper spacing, and efficient tool usage. Working diligently under the bright sun, they removed grass and stones, loosened the soil, and created wide, narrow, and single rows. Together, they planted various vegetables like local beans, radish, eggplant, ladyfinger, chilli, tomato, and snake beans, demonstrating the power of teamwork in cultivating a thriving garden.
Women Entrepreneurs Meet
ESAF Foundation conducted seven women entrepreneurs meets in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to support women entrepreneurs in their nascent stages. 400 women entrepreneurs attended the programmes. The entrepreneurs meet focused on branding, packaging, pricing, and marketing aspects of their products as well as registrations, licenses, and schemes for the entrepreneurs. The district industry centres associated with ESAF for the programmes.
Handover of Ambulance to Snehalayam, Mundathikode
ESAF Small Finance Bank, through its Thayyur branch, a Maruti Suzuki EECO ambulance was purchased and handed over to Snehalayam Charitable Trust, Mundathikode. Senhalayam is a non-profit organisation and an old-age home that provides shelter and basic amenities for 200 seniors suffering from various diseases. The ambulance handover ceremony was held on 1st August 2023 at ESAF Bhavan, Mannuthy. Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF SFB, along with YB Senator Puan Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, Malaysia, handed over the key to Shri. A. R. Antony, Director, Snehalayam.
Construction of Meeting Hall of Janodhayam Grandhalayam, Valkulambu
ESAF Small Finance Bank, through its Valkulambu branch, provided support for the construction work for the extension of the first-floor meeting hall of Janodhayam Grandhalayam, Valkulambu. The meeting hall was officially inaugurated by Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF SFB, in the presence of Shri. K. D. Prasenan, MLA, Alathur Constituency, Smt. Kavitha Madhavan, President, Kizhakkencherry Gram Panchayat, and other dignitaries on 5th August 2023.
Advanced Nursing and Wound Care Mannequin Handover Ceremony at Kancare Foundation
ESAF Small Finance Bank purchased and handed over an advanced nursing and wound care mannequin to the Kancare Foundation through its Palarivottam branch. Kancare is a progressive assisted living and palliative care centre that provides pragmatic and meaningful supportive care for the elderly. The inauguration and handing over ceremony were held at Kancare Foundation, Kakkanad, on 19th August 2023. Shri. Reji Koshy Daniel, Vice President and Head, Sustainable Banking, ESAF SFB, handed over the mannequin to Dr. Sarah Thomas, Managing Trustee, Kancare Foundation in the presence of Dr. Aneesh V. G., Academic Director, Kancare Foundation, Training Division, Shri. Roshan Jose, Senior Manager, Marketing, ESAF SFB, and Shri. Rajesh Moothedan, Branch Head, ESAF SFB, Palarivattom.
Handover of Dental OPG X-Ray Machine in Bengaluru
ESAF Small Finance Bank purchased and handed over a dental OPG X-ray machine to St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, through its Bengaluru branch. Shri. Reji Koshy Daniel, Vice President and Head, Sustainable Banking, ESAF SFB, handed over the machine to Fr. Tony A. J., Associate Director, St. Johns Medical College Hospital, at St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, on 25th August 2023. Fr. John, Associate Director, Dr. Purushotham, HOD, Dental Dept., St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Shri. Vinod Menon, Assistant Vice President and Cluster Head, ESAF SFB, and Shri. Syam Krishnan, Branch Head, ESAF SFB, Bengaluru, were also present during the occasion.
Handover of 5-Kw On-Grid Solar Power Plant With UPS Inverter
ESAF Small Finance Bank procured and donated a 5-kW on-grid solar power plant with a UPS inverter to CA HSS, Ayakkad, through its Vadakkencherry branch. The official inauguration and handover ceremony took place at CA HSS, Ayakkad on 5th September 2023. Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO of ESAF SFB, presented the system to Shri K. Anoop, Principal-in-charge, and Shri K. A. Thajudeen, PTA president of CAHSS, Ayakkad. The event was attended by Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation, Dr. Jacob Samuel, Director, ESAF Foundation, and Shri. Reji Koshy Daniel, Vice-President & Head of Sustainable Banking, ESAF SFB.
Mental Health Awareness Session
As part of the ESAF Santhwana project, seven mental health awareness sessions were conducted in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The sessions covered topics such as promoting positive mental health, sessions for parents, suicide prevention, and overall mental health awareness. A total of 315 individuals participated in these sessions.
Distribution of Water Purifiers
ESAF Foundation installed a water purifier at Govt. L. P. School, Agali. The distribution and inauguration of the water purifier were conducted by Smt. Mereena Paul, Executive Director, ESAF Foundation, who also inaugurated the ESAF Balajyothi Club at the school. The event was presided over by Shri Manoj, PTA President, and featured speeches by various dignitaries, including Shri. Jaison James, Ward Member, Agali Gram Panchayat; Shri. Lijith Jose, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, ESAF SFB; Shri. John P. Inchakalody, Associate Director, ESAF Foundation; Shri. Ullas P. Scaria, Senior Manager, Shri. Amal K. A., Shri. Binil, Cluster Head, ESAF SFB, Shri. Vinil Augustine, Branch Head, Agali Branch, Shri. Balan, Head Master, Govt. L. P. School, Agali and Shri. Abdul Hameed, Staff Secretary