SBI Youth for India Awards ₹69 Lakh to Social Ventures

The SBI Youth for India Conclave 2026, held in Kochi, Kerala, on October 6, awarded a total of ₹69 lakh in seed funding to six social ventures. This funding was part of the SBI YFI Sahyog Pitch Fest, an initiative aimed at supporting grassroots innovations and social enterprises. The event brought together social entrepreneurs, development practitioners, and academicians from across India to share ideas and explore solutions for rural transformation. The six winning ventures were recognized for their impactful initiatives, receiving not only financial support but also strategic mentorship to enhance their operations.

The SBI YFI Sahyog Pitch Fest featured ten shortlisted ventures that presented their proposals to an expert jury. This panel included leaders from the SBI Foundation, as well as experts from organizations such as The/Nudge Institute. The awarded ventures include GRAM Association, Ulgulan for Social Change Foundation, Griham, Pratibha Veethi, AdiRa Biocycle Pvt. Ltd., and Yaha Choice Enterprise, each receiving varying amounts of funding to help scale their social impact initiatives. Over the years, the SBI Foundation has supported numerous youth-led social ventures, contributing to a cumulative funding total exceeding ₹1.06 crore. This support has been instrumental in helping these ventures develop sustainable solutions that address community needs.

The SBI Youth for India Fellowship, established in 2011, has played a crucial role in fostering a network of changemakers dedicated to influencing policy and creating positive social change in rural areas. During the conclave, leaders emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in tackling rural challenges. The initiative aims to provide grassroots innovators with access to resources, mentorship, and visibility, empowering them to turn their ideas into long-term outcomes. The event also marked the 15th anniversary of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship, highlighting its continued relevance in promoting social entrepreneurship among young professionals.

As the SBI Youth for India Conclave concluded, applications for the 2026-27 batch of the fellowship were opened, inviting graduates and young professionals to participate. The program seeks to connect these individuals with grassroots communities through partnerships with various NGOs, facilitating meaningful interventions in rural development. This ongoing commitment to nurturing social enterprises represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by rural populations in India, paving the way for a more equitable future.