Catalysing Entrepreneurship
Fuelling ideas, enterprises, and economic resilience
Livelihood promotion and entrepreneurship have been central to ESAF Foundation's mission since 1992. Over three decades of working alongside farmers, artisans, small producers, and micro-entrepreneurs, the Foundation has helped spark a broader movement — one where access to opportunity, finance, and markets becomes a reality for underserved communities across India.
A Robust Ecosystem of Social Enterprises
Rooted in the same values and vision that guide ESAF Foundation, the ESAF Paul Alliance of Social Enterprises (EPASE) has grown from this movement as a constellation of independently established institutions working together towards a common mission. Spanning finance, affordable housing, healthcare, agriculture, retail, and education, each member of EPASE was inspired by a founding philosophy that systemic gaps in access and opportunity can, and must, be addressed.
Born from decades of deep community engagement, EPASE today represents a connected ecosystem of independent social enterprises where social purpose and long-term sustainability are not competing goals — but deeply interconnected ones that reinforce each other and the communities they serve.
EPASE's shared movement has inspired institutions that:
Bridge critical gaps in access to finance, markets, and services through purpose - built institutions
Create lasting economic opportunities that are self - sustaining and community - rooted
Demonstrate how development goals and financial sustainability can coexist and reinforce each other
Strengthen an integrated ecosystem where collaboration deepens community resilience
Entrepreneurs, farmers, and artisans across EPASE's network benefit from access to credit, training, market linkages, reliable supply chains, technical knowledge, and spaces for collective action.
ESAF Foundation remains the connective thread within this alliance — advocating for communities, strengthening grassroots capacity, and championing a vision of development where people and their potential always come first.
Institutions & Enterprises
2005
ESAF Healthcare Services Private Limited (EHSPL)
EHSPL provides accessible, affordable healthcare through hospitals, referral tie-ups, outreach programmes, and the Arogyamithra project. These initiatives collectively address critical healthcare needs in rural communities across Kerala.
2006
ESAF Swasraya Producers Company Limited (ESPCL)
ESPCL supports artisans, small farmers, and producer companies by providing market linkages and export opportunities for products like corporate gifts, fashion accessories, and tribal crafts. ESAF Foundation with the support of ESPCL, has partnered with national organisations and helped establish 128 producer companies across India.
2006
ESAF Financial Holdings Private Limited
Initially incorporated as ESAF Microfinance and Investments, the institution promotes financial inclusion through diverse loan products, from income generation and agriculture loans to home improvement and microenterprise financing. This entity eventually evolved into ESAF Small Finance Bank, now offering holistic banking services to underserved communities across India.
2008
Prachodhan Development Services
Prachodhan is a nonprofit organisation working across education, child development, sustainable livelihoods, and community development in underserved areas. Its programmes strengthen local capacities and improve quality of life through holistic community-driven interventions.
2008
Lahanti Homes and Infrastructure Limited
Lahanti was established to address housing poverty by developing affordable and sustainable housing solutions for low-income families. In addition to housing, the company offers contracting, architectural, and project management consultancy services to enhance community infrastructure.
2008
Rhema Dairy Products India Private Limited
Rhema Dairy Products delivers pasteurised milk, curd, and ghee to local markets and plans to expand into other processed dairy products. By strengthening supply chains, the company ensures small agri-entrepreneurs have stable, reliable access to markets.
2009
Rhema Kisan Producer Company Limited
This producer company supports smallholder farmers by providing services related to agricultural production, value addition, and collective marketing. The company helps farmer collectives improve their bargaining power and access better prices.
2011
ESAF Swasraya Multi State Agro Co-operative Society Ltd (ESMACO)
Established to promote economic betterment through financial inclusion, ESMACO operates in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and other states. ESMACO supports small and marginal farmers by strengthening livelihoods through sustainable agriculture and inclusive supply chain linkages.
2014
CEDAR Livelihood Services Private Limited
CEDAR Livelihood Services delivers business solutions tailored to rural communities, with a focus on finance, retail, and livelihood creation. Its work supports local entrepreneurs in building sustainable enterprises and strengthening rural economies.
2016
ESAF Small Finance Bank
Launched in 2017 after receiving RBI’s in-principle approval in 2015, ESAF Small Finance Bank provides full-service banking to low-income and underserved communities. The bank plays a key role in enhancing financial security and promoting economic resilience across rural and urban areas.
2016
Lahanti Last Mile Services Private Limited
Lahanti Last Mile Services promotes financial inclusion and sustainable banking practices for remote and rural communities. By delivering tailored financial services at the last mile, the company ensures underserved households have access to essential banking.
2019
CEDAR Publications LLP
Based in Thrissur, CEDAR Publications supports knowledge-sharing through publishing and documentation initiatives. Its work captures and disseminates insights from ESAF Foundation’s projects, amplifying voices from the ground.
2020
CEDAR Retail Private Limited
CEDAR Retail works across sectors like retail, clean energy, and microenterprise development, providing essential products and services to underserved communities. Its initiatives, including Suvidhi and Micromart, strengthen market linkages and help micro-entrepreneurs expand their reach.
2023
Cedar Integrated Food Tech Private Limited
This company supports poultry and meat farmers and farmer collectives by providing market linkage and marketing support. It works to ensure fair prices, sustainable practices, and improved incomes for smallholder farmers.
2024
KAPMA Agro Farms Private Limited
KAPMA Agro Farms focuses on crop and animal production, with a goal of strengthening sustainable agri-business models. Through its work, the company enhances livelihood opportunities for small and marginal farmers across India.
Partnerships
Strong partnerships help bring these enterprises to life. Meet the organisations working with us.
View Partners