An inclusive India will be built through ecosystems, not actors alone, where enterprises, philanthropy, and communities work together.
By: Karen Ngui, Head, DBS Foundation
As India charts its course towards Viksit Bharat, the national conversation is increasingly centred on how growth can be made more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. This vision also reflects a broader shift in how we think about the role of business: that enterprises and markets can be powerful forces for social good, and that commercial success and societal progress need not be mutually exclusive. Corporate foundations occupy an important space in this evolving landscape – supporting innovations that strengthen lives today while helping communities prepare for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. Underpinning all of this is a shared purpose: building a future where prosperity is both broad-based and enduring.
Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Livelihoods
Enabling sustainable livelihoods is central to the vision of Viksit Bharat, creating pathways to dignity, empowerment, and long-term well-being. When people have the opportunity to earn, learn, and grow, they contribute to stronger families, more confident communities, and more resilient societies. Yet, many vulnerable groups continue to face irregular work, limited financial capacity, chronic debt, and few upskilling opportunities. Low-income households often lack the headspace to plan for emergencies or long-term needs, and low digital literacy increases the risk of exclusion or scams in an increasingly digital economy.Corporate Foundations Supporting the Viksit Bharat 2047 Agenda
Corporate foundations have a unique vantage point in this landscape. Their philanthropic independence allows them to invest in early-stage ideas, build capacity where it is most needed, and stay committed to systemic challenges that require patience and iteration. The DBS Foundation is one example. Its efforts focus on two interconnected areas: the first is essential needs, including nutrition, healthcare, basic education, and mental health support. The second is financial inclusion, enabling individuals to participate more fully in the economy through entrepreneurship, strengthened livelihoods, and financial and digital literacy.
This combined approach supports social equity and seeks to ensure that no community is left behind. By providing tools, skills, and services to underserved groups, such programmes help people build both social and financial resilience. The impact carries forward across households, communities, and generations.
Backing Innovators Solving India’s Most Pressing Challenges: Bridging the Pilot-to-Scale Gap
Social enterprises play a central role in addressing some of the world’s most complex problems. Many succeed at the pilot stage but struggle to expand because of limited resources, expertise, or networks. Corporate foundations help bridge this pilot-to-scale gap through strategic funding, mentorship, and ecosystem partnerships.
Strategic funding gives enterprises the space to refine their models. Mentorship strengthens business capabilities, including financial planning and impact measurement. Ecosystem partnerships connect enterprises to markets, investors, technology, and public systems. Together, these forms of support allow social enterprises to scale solutions that help societies prepare for longer lives and changing needs, while encouraging people to live with dignity, confidence, and purpose.
Harnessing Collaborative Action to Drive Systemic Change
Real and lasting impact depends on collective action. The challenges of strengthening livelihoods, addressing ageing, and closing financial exclusion cannot be tackled by any single actor. Platforms and convenings such as charcha by the*spark illustrate the power of collective dialogue and shared problem-solving. These gatherings bring diverse stakeholders into one space to exchange lessons, identify scalable solutions, and build partnerships that unlock new forms of impact. They demonstrate how collaboration can accelerate progress towards an inclusive economy, while reinforcing the Viksit Bharat emphasis on public and private partnerships and the use of digital public infrastructure to widen access and opportunity.
Through such partnerships, one cycle of disadvantage can end, and a brighter one can begin, creating pathways to social and financial security for those who need it most. Beyond external ecosystems, tapping into all the resources available within the organisation, including internal expertise and strengths of its employees, clients and partners can further amplify these efforts.
The Road Ahead: Enhancing Opportunity
As India moves towards 2047, the opportunity ahead lies in shaping a future where every individual and every community can thrive. Supporting innovative, inclusive, and scalable businesses, strengthening livelihoods, and empowering people at every life stage will be central to this effort. By helping vulnerable communities build resilience and navigate uncertainty, corporate foundations contribute to a society that is prepared for longer lives and able to meet them with dignity, connection, and purpose.
As featured in The Print
At charcha 2025, India’s largest collaborative convening, a multitude of industry experts and partners converged to explore various topics. With 40+ sessions spanning across 6 immersive, livelihood-intersecting themes, supported by 30+ sector-leading co-hosts, charcha convened to collaborate towards the shared goal of Viksit and Inclusive Bharat by 2047. charcha 2025, an initiative by the*spark forum was held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, from November 12–14, 2025. To know more, visit: charcha25.thespark.org.in
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