Jharkhand State Level
CSR Roundtable

Catalyzing Nutrition Interventions in Jharkhand through
strengthened Ecosystem

Background

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) emerged as a response to growing societal expectations and concerns about the impact of businesses on the environment and communities in which it exists and operate. Essentially, CSR was introduced as a means for businesses to balance profit-making with social and environmental responsibilities, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.

The state of Jharkhand faces significant challenges in health and nutrition, particularly in its underserved regions. While government initiatives are ongoing, there’s a crucial need to leverage CSR efforts to accelerate progress. IMPAct4Nutrition (an UNICEF India incubated platform) recognizes the potential of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors to address these pressing issues.

Objectives

The major objective is to convene a state-level roundtable in Jharkhand, bringing together government officials, CSR leaders, and industry stakeholders. The aim is to strategize effective implementation of health and nutrition-related CSR projects particularly in the 34 aspirational blocks of the state, aligning them with state priorities and national goals for optimal impact.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s and Nutrition: A Vital Interconnection

Nutrition is intrinsically linked to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Goal 1: Zero Hunger: is the most direct linkage where nutrition plays a crucial role in achieving many other SDGs including SGDs 1, 4, 5 and 10 by addressing root causes of poverty and inequality.

Goal 2: Good Health and Well-being: Nutrition is fundamental to good health, preventing diseases and promoting overall well-being.

Goal 3: Quality Education: Malnutrition hinders cognitive development, affecting children’s ability to learn and reach their full potential and also avoid absenteeism in school due to ill-health.

Goal 4: Gender Equality: Women and girls often bear the brunt of malnutrition, and their empowerment is essential for improving nutrition outcomes.

Goal 5: Responsible Consumption and Production: Sustainable food systems and reducing food waste are crucial for ensuring food security and nutrition.

Goal 6: Climate Action: Climate change impacts food production and nutrition, making it essential to build resilient food systems.

In essence, addressing malnutrition is essential for achieving most of the SDGs, and conversely, progress on these goals contributes to improved nutrition.

Aspirational Blocks in India

The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) is a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating development in India’s most backward regions. The need for such a program arises from the persistent disparities in socio-economic conditions across the country. ABP are required to address regional disparities, focus on underdeveloped areas, improve governance, empower local communities, achieve SDGs indicators, and to create localized opportunities.

In essence, the Aspirational Blocks Programme is a crucial step towards ensuring inclusive and equitable development in India, leaving no one behind.

Jharkhand has 34 aspirational blocks spread across 24 districts across the state.

https://abp.championsofchange.gov.in/data#?tab=blockprofile&state=20&district=all&block=all&page=1

In the roundtable, special focus will be given to Jharkhand’s aspirational districts (particularly aspirational blocks in West Singhbhum, East Singhbum and Saraikela districts), aligning CSR efforts with this flagship government initiative to rapidly transform these underdeveloped areas.

Our approach is simple- providing a cross-learning opportunity for the stakeholders and change-makers from various fields- Government and CSR and work towards supporting each other by gaining mutually from the learning cum discussion event. Government officials know the key gap areas between the goals and the present position-they will highlight these gaps with the CSR filling these gaps efficiently. IMPAct4Nutrition is a platform that brings together public and private sector organizations to work collaboratively on improving nutrition in India.

Key Discussion Areas

• Mapping current CSR initiatives in health and nutrition across the aspirational blocks in Jharkhand (particularly blocks in West Singhbhum, Saraikela and East Singhbum districts)
• Identifying critical gaps and priority intervention areas
• Exploring innovative models for CSR partnerships
• Developing mechanisms for coordinated action and resource pooling
• Establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Instead of one person taking hundred steps- we believe in hundred people taking one step towards bringing the positive change in the lives of the people living in these 3 Aspirational Blocks of Jharkhand especially blocks in West Singhbhum, Saraikela and East Singhbum Districts.

This roundtable marks a pivotal step in harnessing the collective power of government and corporates to address Jharkhand’s nutrition challenges. By fostering collaboration and strategic alignment, IMPAct4Nutrition aims to create a multiplier effect that significantly improves health and nutrition outcomes across the state, particularly in its most vulnerable regions.