DBS Bank seeks to be a force for good by championing social enterprises - businesses with a triple bottom line - and supporting community causes that drive positive environmental and social impact and give back to the communities in markets where we operate.
The key focus areas we've identified include:
- Food waste reduction and food security
- Digital and financial literacy
We aim to nurture social enterprises, promote livelihoods, and improve access to education and employment. This enables us to create positive social and drive meaningful environmental change, while fostering the growth and resilience of communities in India.
DBS Bank India employs a multi-faceted strategy to achieve its objectives. This includes institutionalizing grant programs to nurture small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and help kickstart their transformation journey, partnering with non-profit organizations and startup incubation platforms. The bank also provides financial support, training, mentoring, and access to resources to enable the development and implementation of innovative solutions.
Supporting businesses for impact, reducing food waste, and enhancing food security
Our initiatives:
- DBS Foundation Grant Program 2022: DBS Foundation's flagship grant program supports social enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises with innovative solutions to tackle social and environmental issues. Grants are provided to businesses addressing areas such as mitigating climate change, promoting food resilience, improving livelihoods of marginalized groups, and promoting good health and well-being.
- Techtonic - Innovations Towards Zero Food Waste: Techtonic - Innovations Towards Zero Food Waste is a two-year program that identifies startups working to reduce quantitative and qualitative food loss and waste. DBS Bank India, in collaboration with Social Alpha, supports startups working to reduce food loss and waste in the post-harvest value chain. The bank also provides training, mentoring, and assistance to help the startups validate their products, streamline operations, and scale up their businesses.
Upskilling and livelihood creation programs
Our initiatives
DBS has been actively involved in supporting skilling and livelihood creation programs for underrepresented groups, particularly persons with disabilities and young women.
Our skilling and livelihood creation efforts are making a significant impact on the lives of underprivileged individuals, empowering them with the necessary skills and resources to enhance their employment prospects and financial well-being.
- DBS Bank India implemented an innovative micro-entrepreneurship program in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, that aligned with the bank's key social impact objectives by reducing agricultural waste and generating sustainable income for women from farmer households. This program is carried out in partnership with Savitribai Phule Mahila Ekatma Samaj Mandal (SPMESM), a non-profit organization dedicated to social impact in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Following a successful pilot in the previous year, where 24 women were trained as food processing micro-entrepreneurs, we expanded the program in 2022 to support 1,000 women entrepreneurs in Maharashtra and Odisha.
- Additionally, DBS Bank India in partnership with Sambhav Foundation implemented an Electricians and Plumbers Upskilling program in Gummidipoondi and Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of work and income for skilled workers at the Panchayat level.
Experienced plumbers and electricians were the primary beneficiaries of this initiative, which was divided into two phases. To ensure the credibility and success of these programs, we worked with local mobilizers and engaged with panchayat members to spread awareness and attract candidates.
- DBS Bank India initiated a 12-month program aimed at training and mentoring 1,000 beneficiaries from various cities in India to develop job-ready skills for the e-commerce and retail industry. This program was launched in October 2022 in partnership with Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India to equip students with the necessary skills for successful placements in these sectors.
DBS Foundation Grant Program-2022
- SGD 13 million in grant funding provided since 2014
- Over 100 social enterprises and 8 SMEs supported Some of the awarded social enterprises from India include Saathi Eco Innovations, focusing on plastic-free absorbent products; Urdhvam Environmental Technologies, working on reviving groundwater resources; and Neomotion Assistive Solutions, developing assistive technology for people with mobility disabilities.
Towards Zero Food Waste
- Grant amount awarded: ₹2.2 crores (INR 44 lakhs each to five Indian startups)
- The winning social enterprises - Temperate Technologies, Krimanshi, Fermentech Labs, Pequrel Technologies, and Raheja Solar - will use the grant to reduce food loss in the post-harvest value chain
Women's Micro Entrepreneurship Program
- Women micro-entrepreneurs trained in 2022-23: 1,000
- Food processing units set up: 500
- Average income generated per beneficiary: INR 8,500 per month
Upskilling & Livelihood Creation - Sambhav Foundation
- Phase 1, beneficiaries underwent a 15-hour Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training conducted by experts, certifying 474 individuals for further progression.
- Phase 2 we provided financial literacy sessions and access to social security schemes to improve livelihoods. 348 candidates were certified.
- Income tracking was implemented using the SAHI Serve app, enabling the monitoring of monthly income and work orders for over 350 beneficiaries.
- This data has been instrumental in establishing credibility for loan applications and securing work opportunities for the trained electricians and plumbers.
- Total income tracked: 1.30 crore
Skilling and livelihood creation program with Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India
- Beneficiaries trained and mentored: 500 women & 500 persons with disability
