Top CSR projects in Mumbai

Mumbai, often referred to as the financial capital of India, is not only renowned for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets but also for its significant role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Mumbai emerged as the largest beneficiary of CSR funds in the state of Maharashtra, receiving a staggering Rs. 2764.11 Crores out of the total Rs. 5497.4 Crores allocated to the state. This remarkable achievement underscores Mumbai’s status as a favoured destination for corporate entities seeking to fulfill their CSR obligations.

In FY 23, a total of 3334 companies contributed to Mumbai City’s thriving CSR landscape, collectively disbursing Rs. 2764.11 Crores towards a diverse range of social and developmental projects. Among the various focus areas, Healthcare, Education, and Environment took the forefront, with a substantial expenditure of Rs. 1403.59 Crores, Rs. 999.92 Crores, and Rs. 169.23 Crores, respectively. These investments have played a pivotal role in addressing critical societal issues and enhancing the quality of life for the city’s residents.

As we delve deeper into the realm of CSR initiatives in Mumbai, we will explore the impactful projects, innovative strategies, and positive transformations brought about by corporate entities in this dynamic city.

Top CSR Initiatives in Mumbai

CSR for Eye Health across Palghar, Nanded and Mumbai

Roche Diagnostics’ India and Neighbouring Markets under the aegis of its flagship CSR initiative Project Roshni recently conducted eye check-up camps to screen 5,000 children across Palghar, Nanded, Mumbai, and Delhi.

It partnered with VisionSpring Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring affordable access to eyecare through free eye screenings and distribution of eyeglasses to those who are visually impaired.

The screening programme commenced in Palghar, a primarily tribal dominated district located around 100 kms from Mumbai, covering 18 government schools. In Nanded, the eye check-up camps were organised at 5 government schools and another 5 schools in Mumbai and Delhi.

Started in 2015, Roche’s Project Roshni follows a comprehensive approach to community upliftment in underprivileged districts across Maharashtra. It offers anemia screening, school infrastructure development, nutrition support, financial literacy and has now added vision care to its areas of support.

Students Showcase Innovative Solutions at Mumbai Hackathon

Over 90 student-led solutions took centre stage at Kalpadarsh – A Showcase of Creativity, marking the conclusion of the Mumbai Hackathon.

This city-wide initiative by Pi Jam Foundation, conducted in partnership with the Mumbai Dabbawalas and supported by Nomura Services, India, empowered students to tackle real-world problems using 21st-century skills.

Launched in September 2024, the hackathon received an incredible 7,500+ submissions. From these, 90 promising solutions were selected for the final showcase. The projects addressed critical challenges like waste management, traffic congestion, urban infrastructure, public health, and environmental sustainability using technological and grassroots approaches.

“The participation in the Mumbai Hackathon has been overwhelming,” said Pranjali Pathak, Pi Jam Foundation’s spokesperson. “Students from government schools have shown remarkable technical skills, responsibility, and innovation. This event proves that, with the right tools and opportunities, young minds can address local challenges while contributing to a larger vision of a better Mumbai.”

Japanese Multinational Company Supports “No Ocean Waste” Initiative in Mumbai

Japanese Multinational Company Brother International (India) Private Limited, a global leader in technology and innovation, reinforced its commitment to sustainability by supporting “No Ocean Waste” initiative. The event took place in January 2025, at Juhu Koliwada Beach, Mumbai, in partnership with Project Mumbai. This initiative was a part of Brother Group’s Environmental Vision 2050, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water.

The event highlighted Brother International India’s ongoing CSR efforts to reduce marine pollution and contribute to a cleaner, waste-free ocean. Employees were engaged in a beach clean-up drive, where the collected waste was sent for recycling in collaboration with the local municipal office.

Science Carnival for Government school students in Thane and Navi Mumbai

From a women’s safety device, and an insulin cooling box, to a smart road repair solution, the top 25 finalists from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) schools displayed innovative projects at the sixth annual Think Big Science Carnival, organised by Amazon. The event was held at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Navi Mumbai, where more than 2,800 students and over 100 teachers from NMMC and TMC schools, government officials, and industry representatives attended.

The Think Big Science Carnival is a flagship initiative under the Amazon Think Big Spaces program in India, organized in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation. This annual challenge is a platform for students from underserved communities to explore and excel in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) disciplines. By identifying and addressing unmet, real-world problems through the application of technology and engineering, the carnival creates awareness of science and technology and equips young minds with the experience needed to pursue successful STEAM careers.

Student projects are based on multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prescribed by the United Nations. This year’s carnival, themed “Inclusive Innovation”, witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 260 project entries submitted by students.

Scholarship for meritorious underprivileged students across Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Kotak Education Foundation (KEF) – the CSR implementing agency of Kotak Mahindra Group, announced 1,000 scholarships under the Kotak Junior Scholarship programme to support further education of Class 10th + meritorious students from economically disadvantaged section across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in May this year. Along with a financial aid of Rs 73,500 for a period of 21 months, this programme offers each scholar a strong support system at the grass-root level for the future youth of the country.

This programme, spanning an initial term of 2 years for 10 + students from SSC, CBSE, and ICSE board, involves robust engagement activities beyond financial support such as one-to-one mentoring, career guidance sessions, entrance exam preparation support, exposure visits, and home visits.
Eligibility criteria for the Kotak Junior Scholarship are as follows:
– Scored more than 85% in the SSC/CBSE/ICSE Examination and secured admission for Class 11 in Colleges in Mumbai
– Family income is less than Rs.3,20,000/- per annum
– Within MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region)

Child Protection Committee launched in Mumbai

Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA) along with the District Women and Child Development Office and 2 other NGOs recently launched a Ward Level Child Protection Committee (WLCPC) in Mumbai. Located in Ward No. 135 of Mumbai i.e. M-East Ward, the committee will be covering the communities of Indira Nagar and Janta Nagar in Mandala, Mankhurd. The committee has been formed in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit under the guidance of the District Women and Child Development Officer, Mumbai Suburban District. The NGO and the Maharashtra government are also planning to replicate this model across all 15 wards in Mumbai in the coming years.

Aligning with the Government of Maharashtra Resolution (2014), the Child Protection Committee will enhance child safety and well-being by setting clear objectives. This includes preventing abuse, ensuring timely interventions, and fostering a supportive ecosystem for children in need within the community.

Smart Classrooms in Mumbai schools – CSR of Fortis Healthcare

Fortis Healthcare’s CSR has empowered 10 civic-run schools in Mumbai with ‘Smart Classroom’ set-ups. The CSR initiative is aimed at enhancing the quality of education and improving students’ learning outcomes. The classrooms have been specifically designed to make the students’ learning process more engaging. Each Smart Classroom includes a Smartboard, Technical Toolkit, Large Screen Display Device, CPU, Speakers, and Whiteboard.

The Smart Classrooms have been set up at Vani Vidyalaya School & Junior College (Mulund), Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya (Mulund), Mithagar Marg MPS School (Mulund), Dayanand Vedik Vidyalaya (Mulund), Smt. Nalinibai Gajanan Purandare High School (Mulund), Deendayal Upadhyay MPS School (Mulund), MPS CBSE Mithanagar School (Mulund), Pandurang Vidyalay (Mulund), Airoli Madhyamik Vidyalaya (Navi Mumbai) and SBM Padwal Vidyalay (Thane).

Toilet at Ghatkopar Station – CSR of DMart

An airport standard toilet was inaugurated at Central Railway’s Ghatkopar station in September last year as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts of DMart Foundation.  The toilet located at platform number four has been constructed to benefit daily commuters and it is completely free of cost. The D-Mart Foundation will maintain the newly upgraded toilet block for an initial period of 2 years, which can be extended up to 3 more years.

Earlier, this platform had a urinal block for men with four urinals. The upgraded toilet block now boasts two toilets and six urinals for men, along with three toilets for women. There are plans to extend the efforts to upgrade the toilet block on platforms 2/3 of Ghatkopar and subsequently platform number one.

Ghatkopar station is the fourth busiest station in Central Railway’s Mumbai division, having on average daily footfalls of nearly 3.20 lakh passengers . At Ghatkopar, 740 local trains ( up and down) are being handled daily basis.

CSR of Central Railway and Union Bank Social Foundation Trust

Central Railway, in collaboration with the Union Bank Social Foundation Trust has donated a state-of-the-art Double Balloon Enteroscopy to the Department of Surgery at Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Byculla. The equipment valued at Rs 50 lakh, is aimed to provide advanced medical care to patients in need.

CSR of ICICI Bank for cancer care

In June 2023, ICICI Bank announced a contribution of Rs 1,200 crore towards Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a premier institution that runs cancer treatment and research centres across the country.

ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth (ICICI Foundation), the CSR arm of ICICI Bank, is implementing the initiative, which is likely to be completed by 2027. With modern equipment and specialised multidisciplinary teams, these new centres of excellence in oncology treatment will provide advanced and evidence based therapies to nearly 25,000 new patients a year, doubling the present capacity and providing a significant boost to the country’s cancer treatment infrastructure, as per an announcement made by the bank.

ICICI Foundation will set up an ‘ICICI Radiation Oncology Block’ at TMC’s Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. This block will be equipped with state-of-the-art radiology facilities including CT scanner and MRT, new facility for outdoor patients, laboratories and radiotherapy facility for in-patients.

Reliance Foundation and Akshaya Chaitanya Tackling Hunger

One of the standout CSR initiatives making a profound impact on the social landscape of Mumbai is the collaboration between Akshaya Chaitanya and Reliance Foundation. Together, they have embarked on a mission to combat hunger and vulnerability in the city, focusing on two key areas: providing nutritious meals to children in municipal schools and extending support to families of patients in public hospitals.

This transformative initiative addresses a critical issue facing underprivileged children in Mumbai – the lack of adequate nutrition during their formative years. By offering wholesome meals, it not only nourishes the bodies but also nurtures the aspirations of these young minds, breaking down the barriers to education and brighter futures.

Moreover, the initiative extends its reach to the families of patients from vulnerable sections of society who often struggle to access hygienically prepared food in government hospitals. By making these meals readily available, it eases the burdens carried by these families during times of distress.

Meals are being served across 19 government hospitals and 102 municipal schools in Mumbai. Akshaya Chaitanya’s ambitious vision for 2025 is to serve 1 lakh vulnerable adults and children every day in Mumbai.