Holistic development of Woman farmers  

Apraava is supporting overall development of communities in Theni, Tamil Nadu. It has initiated development of Self-Help Groups by reaching out to 1000 women that belong to poor and marginal farming households. It is also working to improve the farming practices through soil conservation interventions to enhance family income. Additionally, funds are provided to farmers and renovation work of water tanks has been done that would benefit them with irrigation, domestic use and drinking water. Skill building is also conducted to improve supplementary income of women. These efforts have empowered women and have also helped in their poverty alleviation.

Empowering women through alternative income-generating initiatives  

To address the issue of economic impoverishment, especially of women in India, initiatives need to focus on access to economic assets, financial services, social protection, and opportunities for skill development and employment. Apraava Energy has initiated several programmes that seek to empower women with the tools to achieve economic independence.

One such programme is project Aarohan in Samana and Mahidad, where close to 1000 women SHG members were exposed to farm and non-farm-based income generating activities. Women learnt best practices from model villages and other successful women entrepreneurs. The project plans to cover about 30,000 villagers extending the coverage to 24 catchment villages while drawing its focus on women livelihood and education sector.

Ensuring water security for the communities  

As a responsible corporate citizen, Apraava Energy has taken the onus of establishing water security for communities it serves with the intent of ensuring well-being and sustainability. Its water initiatives have led to reduction in drudgery for women due to improved water availability in villages. These initiatives not only protect water resources but also positively impact crop yield, health and overall quality of life. Water infrastructure and water harvesting initiatives have so far benefitted 10,000 villagers at Samana and Mahidad.

Holistic Development of villages in Samana  

With a focus on overall development of villages, Apraava Energy established Gram Shiksha Kendra. These are community learning centers with access to learning resources where children are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, etc. It includes Community Science Centre that carries out mathematical and scientific experiments to build a scientific temper amongst students. The other initiatives undertaken are formation of self-help groups, linking farmers to various government schemes, infrastructure development and strengthening rural economy.

Leveraging solar energy for community development of 17 villages  

Apraava Energy partnered with Selco Foundation to initiate a long-term project for extensive use of solar energy for community development. It envisaged to solar-electrify community spaces like schools, kindergartens, primary health care centres while also providing solar based livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurship capacity. Solar energy solutions were provided to 17 villages in Hara, Saundatti and Veltoor catchments based on the needs of the communities.

Health on the go with Mobile Healthcare Project 

Poor awareness and limited access to necessary facilities at affordable rates pose a serious financial challenge for several families around the areas of operation. Apraava Energy’s Project Mobile Healthcare Van seeks to address this issue by providing mobile vans - equipped with basic medicines, diagnostic equipment, and a qualified medical team - that go to villages in and around project sites of Andhra Lake, Veltoor and Jhajjar. It also facilitates dental check-ups, eye camps and anaemia screening camps in surrounding villages. 

Youth skilled in renewable energy and healthcare 

With the intent of creating gainful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, Apraava Energy partnered with the School of Vocational Education, TISS to conceptualise an ambitious youth skilling programme in renewable energy and healthcare. The project will train about 2,000 students across the country during a three-year period. Additionally, about 400 youth from Apraava Energy’s project sites and aspirational districts - Andhra Lake, Khandke, Jath, Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Pune and Jhajjar, successfully completed vocational training courses. 

Providing water security for the communities in Maharashtra  

Jath region in Maharashtra was dealing with severe water scarcity. There was a shortage of drinking water leading to dependence on water tankers for 4-5 months. Irrigation facilities were not available through the community and rain is erratic. This affects the yield of the farmers and they used to be very dependent on chemical fertilizers degrading the soil quality. Apraava Energy supported the advancement of rural lives through strengthening of water resources and improvement of agriculture. This includes supporting the development of various soil and water conservation activities such as de-siltation of tank, repairing existing water structures, constructing permanent water structures and installation of water purification system. Farmers participate in farmer field school - a group learning process, to adopt climate resilient agriculture practices helping them to increase their agricultural yield.

Empowering over 2000 women with alternative livelihood opportunities  

Building on native skills and potential in the area, a milk cooperative project led by women was established in villages around Chandgarh wind farms in Madhya Pradesh. Milk collection centres were set up in 18 project villages. Women collective- Uday Federation was registered to manage and oversee the milk cooperative project benefitting bout 2000 women in the area.