2024: a momentous year of telling the Bharat - India social sector story to global audiences
2024 has been a year that has stood true to Reliance’s "We Care" philosophy. It was a year of creating profound impact, where Reliance Foundation witnessed the transformation of lives across India along with making a sincere attempt at bridging the Bharat-India gap on global platforms.
Reliance Foundation earnestly contributed towards strengthening livelihoods, empowering communities to overcome challenges, and building a sense of increasing confidence and enhanced resilience.
From the quiet dedication of the organisation’s grassroot teams to the powerful voice of Reliance Foundation on global platforms, the organisation’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development shone through. It was a year of immense pride as Reliance Foundation saw tangible results of their efforts – a year that reaffirmed the belief in the power of ‘action with compassion’.
A Historic Year at the Paris Olympics
In a monumental milestone, the Paris Olympics witnessed India House standing proudly as an ode to Indian heritage and achievement, igniting dreams of hosting the Olympics in Bharat in the near future. For the first time, 140 Olympic and Paralympic athletes united (in triumph) on a shared platform embodying the inclusive spirit of sport.
Furthering the spirit of Olympism, the Let’s Move India campaign, a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee and Reliance Foundation, energised over 10,000 children with the support of 500+ volunteers. This movement inspired a collective rallying cry: "Let’s Move India!"
Advancing Bharat’s Vision at the Global Stage
During the UNGA Week, India Day spotlighted Bharat’s developmental vision, fostering global collaboration. Reliance Foundation strengthened its commitment to empowering women with a USD $10 million partnership with WiDEF, USAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This initiative is shaping a future where women thrive in the digital economy, fostering equal opportunities and economic growth.
Empowering Youth Through Education and Skilling
Education will always remain at the heart of all the efforts undertaken by Reliance Foundation. In 2024, Reliance Foundation awarded 10,000 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate scholarships, nurturing the dreams and aspirations of the youth of this country. The launch of the Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy marked a leap towards future-ready careers.
In September 2024, the Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy was established to empower young people to shape their futures and contribute to the nation’s growth. The Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy gives youth a competitive edge by equipping them with skills that are most relevant today as well as tomorrow. The robust open-access skill development repository has courses that facilitate skilling, upskilling, and reskilling to lead to meaningful employment. Since its establishment, the Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy has impacted the lives of over 1.83 lakh youth.
Transforming Early Childhood Education
Reliance Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and Telangana, introduced play-based learning to Anganwadi workers, impacting thousands of children. The inauguration of the Anganwadi Learning Lab in Rayte village marked the start of a network of such learning labs in Maharashtra. This initiative was further enriched by the Building Flourishing Futures conference that brought together experts to advance play-based learning strategies.
Shaping Future Leaders in Education
Reliance Foundation Schools earned top honours in the Education World India School Rankings 2024-25, while Jio Institute continued to mould future leaders with expert-led programmes. These achievements underscore our commitment to excellence in education.
Building Resilient Communities
Reliance Foundation’s work in community resilience stood out this year. From mangroves protecting Odisha’s coasts, acting as a bio-shield to these villages to mock tsunami drills in Rapar Garh village, we bolstered grassroots preparedness. Collaborating with the United Nations India, we advanced multi-hazard early warning systems to ensure timely disaster response.
Our efforts extended to diversification of livelihoods, sustainable farming, and empowering women at the grassroots level. Fifty women social leaders joined the Women Leaders Fellowship, driving change in climate resilience, livelihoods, and education.
Preserving Heritage and Fostering Sustainability
The Swadesh initiative, a collaborative platform that strives towards protecting and preserving India’s heritage continues to appreciate India’s art, crafts and handloom. This initiative was born out of a dream to revive India’s handcrafted wonders.
February 2024 witnessed the establishment of the grandeur of Vantara, a large-scale, state-of-the-art animal (wildlife) rescue and rehabilitation centre.
Under the #WeCare4Swachhata campaign, 75,000 volunteers championed cleanliness drives across 4,100 locations, planting 17,000 saplings and inspiring sustainability in 30,000 children.
Recognitions and Milestones
Mrs. Nita Ambani’s contributions to Brand India were honoured at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards. Reliance Foundation’s initiatives won accolades such as the CII National Award for Excellence in Water Management, ET Education Excellence Awards, and Do Good Awards for innovative storytelling through a 360° VR film highlighting the resilience of fish farmers.
Ending the Year with Joy
Kahani Kala Khushi and ESA Day at Hamleys Wonderland™ brought smiles to over 1,000 children through storytelling, art, and fun-filled activities. These moments of joy epitomized our commitment to nurturing young minds.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Having touched over 79 million lives, Reliance Foundation enters 2025 with renewed vigour, the organisation embraces innovation to build a sustainable future where every individual thrives. Through education, healthcare, and social development, Reliance Foundation empowers communities and fosters a kinder, happier world for generations to come. 'We Care' remains the organisation’s guiding principle as it strives to turn dreams into reality.