Honeywell India has partnered with Swades Foundation to implement a participatory rural development model.

New Delhi, December 03, 2024: Rural India, home to 63.64% of the population, faces persistent challenges despite its economic contributions. Limited access to clean water, sanitation, education, electricity, and livelihoods remain significant issues. UNICEF reports only 49% of rural households have piped water, with poor sanitation causing 60% of deaths from infectious diseases. Additionally, 85% of small farmers earn less than INR 20,000 per month, underscoring the pressing livelihood crisis.

In an effort to address these pressing issues regarding basic infrastructure and economic security, Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF), the philanthropic arm of Honeywell India, has partnered with Swades Foundation to implement a participatory rural development model that empowers local communities. This partnership, which was established in FY 2021-22, introduced targeted community-centric interventions to address water and power access, sanitation, sustainable farming, and women's skill development to reshape lives across Nashik and Raigad districts of Maharashtra. The joint efforts over the period of three years have directly impacted 40,000+ lives and have improvised numerous rural families with financial stability.

Prashanth Balarama, Senior Director, Communications and CSR, Honeywell India, said, "At Honeywell, we believe that true corporate responsibility goes beyond business metrics – it is about creating meaningful and sustainable change in the communities we serve. Our ongoing initiatives in the Nashik region, in partnership with Swades Foundation, reflect our commitment to holistic rural development. Through targeted interventions in infrastructure, livelihood, and skill development, we are working hand-in-hand with local communities to create pathways for long-term prosperity. This engagement is an opportunity to showcase how strategic CSR can empower rural landscapes, transforming lives and building resilient, self-sustaining ecosystems."

Through the implementation of 11 drinking water projects, the initiative has provided tapped drinking water to over 2,500 individuals across 650+ households. The water schemes involve identifying reliable sources, building reservoirs and pipelines, and installing pumps to ensure consistent water access at home. Local village committees are trained to maintain the infrastructure, ensuring its sustainability for years to come. Complementing this, over 1,700 households now have toilet blocks, and sanitation infrastructure has been improved in three schools, benefiting students with access to clean drinking water and functional toilets. Notably, the efforts have declared 30 villages open defecation-free (ODF) while fostering the creation of Nigrani Samitis, or sanitation committees, to ensure continued maintenance and appropriate use of sanitation facilities.

The clean energy initiative has expanded significantly, with solar lighting installations benefiting 4 aanganwadis and 3 schools. The introduction of solar water pumps for 100 farmers has addressed challenges stemming from irregular electricity supply, leading to improved crop yields, diversification, and the possibility of second and third harvests annually. This initiative has not only stabilised incomes but has also enabled farmers to earn an additional INR 50,000 per acre each year. Extending this impact to the larger community at village level, Honeywell has The impact extends to approximately 2,000 households through the strategic installed 1,470 solar lights across homes, streets, and community spaces, providing clean energy access.

The initiative has positively impacted 1500+ farmers through donation of 63,000 saplings for orchard plantation. Affordable saplings and training programs have empowered farmers to earn financial security, with the potential to earn over Rs 2 lakh annually from larger plots.

To create secondary sources of income, 524 women have been supported through goat-rearing initiatives, while 156 households have benefitted from dairy, fishing, and mini flour mill-related opportunities. These programs offer an additional annual income of INR 20,000 to INR 25,000. Rural youth skilling has also been a significant focus, with over 600 youth upskilled in the last three years in trades like welding, plumbing, and electrical work, ensuring steady monthly incomes. Scholarships have also been provided to 43 marginalised students, reinforcing the commitment to educational empowerment.

Looking ahead, Honeywell and Swades Foundation are committed to building on their successes and deepening their impact in rural India. In FY25, the initiative is being expanded to 10,000 additional rural community members in Nashik. Together, they jointly aim to continue empowering communities by providing access to vital resources and opportunities for their long-term and equal growth. 

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