The National CSR Committee of BCC&I has organized the Second Pitch Session and a workshop on Capacity Building for NGOs an initiative under BCC&I CSR Portal on 4th May 2024 at Jagriti Dham.  The session aimed to explore the potential partnership opportunities between NGOs and Corporates to address specific social or environmental issue through innovative CSR initiatives. The first pitch session on November 7, 2023, successfully facilitated a connection between Shishu Tritha and Berger Paints Ltd.

Total 8 NGOs participated with their projects, namely Garden Reach Institute for Rehabilitation and Research: Physiotherapy and Special Education for Children with Disabilities in Garden Reach, Metiaburuz slums; BITAN Institute for Training Awareness and Networking: Integrated Socio-Economic Upliftment for Urban Poor in Howrah and Maheshtala; Southern Health Improvement Samity: Healthcare services in 16 districts of West Bengal, focusing on Sundarbans; Ek Tara: Education and capacity-building for girls and women in urban slums; Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha: Sustainable development in remote villages and Sunderban region; India Autism Centre: Training, research, and residential campus for individuals with autism; Calcutta Foundation: Empowering vulnerable communities, especially women, towards financial independence; Change Initiatives: Promoting learning, environmental protection, and empowerment through various initiatives in Sunderbans.

Senior representatives from the various corporates joined the session, namely Capgemini Technology Services India Limited; CESC Limited; JSW Foundation; Infinity Infotech Parks Limited; Transrail Lighting Limited; Andrew Yule & Co. Ltd.; Exide Industries Limited; Spark Minda Group; Balrampur Chini Mills Limited; Crescent Power Limited and Ascensive Educare Limited.
This was followed by a workshop on Capacity Building for NGOs through interactive sessions and expert-led discussions, participants gained valuable insights and practical tools in areas such as Crowd Funding, Scaling Impact and Listing on Social Stock Exchange. 

The concept of Crowd funding was addressed by Mr. Ravindra Chamaria, Mentor, CSR Committee, BCC&I and Group Chairman, Infinity Infotech Parks Limited. The session equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage crowd funding platforms effectively for their organization's fundraising efforts. Through interactive discussions, attendees learnt that how to craft compelling campaigns, engage donors, and maximize their chances of success in raising funds for their projects. Transparency ensures that donors have clear visibility into how their contributions are being utilized, fostering trust and accountability. Strong governance practices help maintain integrity and ensure that fund is managed responsibly and ethically, safeguarding against misuse or mismanagement. Impact measurement and reporting enable NGOs to demonstrate the tangible outcomes and social value generated by their projects, providing donors with reassurance that their contributions are making a meaningful difference. By prioritizing transparency, governance, and impact in their crowd funding initiatives, NGOs can build credibility, attract more support, and ultimately, drive greater positive change in the communities they serve.

Scaling up Impact was addressed by Mr. Amitabh Shah, Member of Expert Advisory Group of CSR Committee, BCC&I and Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer, Yuva Unstoppable. This session provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of strategies and best practices for expanding the reach and effectiveness of their initiatives. Through interactive discussions, case studies, attendees explored the various approaches to scaling impact including strategic partnerships, innovative technology adoption, and capacity building efforts.
The final topic - Listing on Social Stock Exchange was addressed by Dr. CS Adv Mamta Binani, Member of Expert Advisory Group of CSR Committee, BCC&I and National Past President, Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The process, benefits, and requirements of listing on Social Stock Exchange were discussed at length, for organizations committed to social and environmental impact. Listing on SSEs can provide access to a unique pool of socially conscious investors and increase opportunities for funding and partnerships. Moreover, participants gained an understanding of the governance standards, impact reporting requirements, and transparency measures necessary to meet SSE listing criteria. SSE listing is a viable strategy for advancing the mission, attracting investment, and accelerating the impact on a larger scale.

The entire initiative was supported by Jagriti Dham. The workshop was very well attended by 50 participants.