TechnoServe receives the Citi Foundation – 2016 India Innovation Grant for its Project ‘CREEYD’
Partnership will train and prepare 1250 youth from underprivileged backgrounds in Mumbai towards improved career trajectories
The Citi Foundation has announced the inclusion of the project ‘CREEYD’ – Creating Employment and Empowerment through Youth Development’ by TechnoServe as part of its 2016 India Innovation Grant Program (IIGP). The selected program will be oriented towards training 1,250 college students at TechnoServe centers, in one of the most concentrated youth landscapes in Asia – Mumbai, and creating employment and placement opportunities. TechnoServe will also create an ecosystem of trainers and employers to benefit youth from underprivileged backgrounds in their final/pre-final year of graduation. The program will consist of English-language training, personality development training, employer-led subject matter training, training on managing personal finance, along with career counseling. A majority of the six million youth who graduate each year remain unemployed or underemployed simply because they may not be fit to be hired, due to poor English language skills, soft skills and analytical abilities. This is the core issue the program seeks to address.
Punit Gupta, Country Director India, TechnoServe said, “Our goal is to ensure that a majority of our youth beneficiaries are employable and gainfully employed in sectors that bring them significant socio-economic security and dignity in their professions. We can think of no better partner than Citi Foundation, whose leadership and culture we hope to imbibe in our project goals and delivery. Our team is energized by this vote of confidence and looks forward to working with Citi Foundation on this program.”
Citi India Public Affairs Officer, Debasis Ghosh said, “Through the 2016 IIGP, which is well aligned with the Government of India’s important ‘Skill India’ mission, we are humbled to be a part of this journey, empowering 13,000 youth from low income families to be a part of India’s growth story.” Mr. Ghosh further added “Over the last three years, we have partnered with exceptional organizations that stand out in their fields and are extremely committed to empowering India across all walks of life. The India Innovation Grant Program is about supporting India’s development sector’s tremendous talent and ingenuity, and we are extremely encouraged by the progress our partners have been making.”
Citi Foundation’s grant to TechnoServe has been provided through the 2016 India Innovation Grant Program (IIGP), and is part of Pathways to Progress, Citi Foundation’s global initiative to prepare young disadvantaged youth build an entrepreneurial mindset, acquire leadership, financial and workplace skills, and begin to engage in the formal economy through a first job.
The Citi Foundation has announced an investment of INR130 million (US$2 million) in six youth focused programs that aim to increase the employability and entrepreneurship opportunities of 13,000 low income youth, aged between 16-25 years, across India.
ABOUT CITI FOUNDATION
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com
ABOUT CITI
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.
Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi
ABOUT CITI INDIA
Citi India offers consumers including Non Resident Indians, corporates and financial institutions, a comprehensive range of financial products and services. These include retail banking, mortgage finance, credit cards, personal loans, corporate and investment banking, foreign exchange, securities brokerage, transaction services and wealth management. Citi is an employer of choice and serves more than 2.3 million customers ranging from India's top corporate houses, multinationals operating in India, SME's, self-employed entrepreneurs, households and individuals. Citi India has leading market shares in a number of areas in India's banking industry, including credit cards, distribution of mutual funds, e-commerce banking, investment banking and foreign exchange. In addition, Citi India through its network of Citi Service Centres has been a leading offshoring unit for Citigroup globally, providing employment opportunities in the areas of technology, processing, analytics and financial processes.
Citi India is also committed to enabling socio-economic progress in the communities where we live and work. Since 1999, Citi Foundation through its partnerships, has helped further the financial inclusion agenda through education, and has created livelihood opportunities for youth and marginalized families in India. In addition, Citi has been committed to preserving India’s heritage through its programs focused on art and culture. These efforts, over the past 16 years, have benefited more than 2.5 million people across the country. Citi India continues to promote an inclusive and responsible society through its various CSR initiatives.
Additional information may be found at: www.citibank.co.in | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citiindia
ABOUT TECHNOSERVE
TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. A nonprofit organization operating in 29 countries, we work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. By linking people to information, capital and markets, we have helped millions to create lasting prosperity for their families and communities. TechnoServe has earned a 4-star rating from independent evaluator Charity Navigator for the last 10 years, placing us in the top 1 percent of all its rated nonprofits.
With nearly 50 years of proven results, TechnoServe believes in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
