ESAF Foundation has received international recognition at the 17th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit 2025, with its flagship initiative ESAF Urjabandhu named the Most Impactful Solar Energy Initiative of the Year. The award acknowledges ESAF Foundation’s efforts to advance clean energy access, create green livelihoods, and support climate resilience across rural India.
Launched in 2020 as a corporate social responsibility initiative of ESAF Small Finance Bank and implemented by ESAF Foundation, ESAF Urjabandhu trains local electricians and youth to become clean energy entrepreneurs. Nearly 350 Urjabandhus have been trained under the programme, facilitating the installation of 11 MW of decentralised solar capacity to date.
The initiative is part of the ESAF Foundation’s broader strategy to embed climate solutions within communities, helping them respond to the frontline impacts of climate change such as prolonged dry spells, rising living costs, and uncertain energy access. The clean energy work goes beyond technology deployment, focusing on practical shifts that improve livelihoods and promote dignity.
Through clean energy product demonstrations, self-help group meetings, and targeted awareness campaigns, the Foundation has reduced reliance on kerosene and firewood by promoting alternatives like solar lanterns, cookstoves, and water purifiers. The initiative has reached over 2.6 lakh SHG members across six states. In addition, more than 1,000 students and community members have been engaged through renewable energy education sessions designed to encourage behavioural change around energy use.
ESAF Foundation’s programmes are also linked to broader climate accountability frameworks. Its clean energy portfolio is registered for carbon auditing under the UNFCCC, with the organisation’s interventions collectively replacing over 4.3 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions so far. The Foundation leads the Urja Kiran campaign across selected districts in Kerala, advancing energy conservation and sustainable energy technologies, which has reached over 2.7 lakh residents through research, training, and demonstration activities.
A spokesperson from ESAF Foundation noted that the award reinforces the organisation’s commitment to building a more inclusive and climate-resilient future by anchoring clean energy in local enterprise and everyday choices. “Our work is grounded in helping communities adopt practical solutions that secure their livelihoods while contributing to a healthier planet,” the spokesperson said.
