MasterCard has been conferred with the prestigious Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award in two categories – Women’s Empowerment and Community Development.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ari Sarker, division president, South Asia, MasterCard, said, “We are pleased to receive the awards and be recognized for our efforts to further financial inclusion in India. At MasterCard, we are focused on developing links with the wider community and building strong relationships with various partners. These awards are a true reflection of our commitment to corporate social responsibility.”
For Women’s Empowerment, MasterCard partnered with the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) that helps women in India secure employment opportunities, empowering them to be self-reliant with supportive services. In this special initiative, MasterCard launched its seventh Rural Urban Distribution Initiative (RUDI), processing center at Bodeli, Gujarat. The center provides multiple employment opportunities to tribal farmers and achieves fair prices for the farmers for their produce along with safeguarding their interests.
For Community Development, MasterCard partnered with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) to launch the Young Entrepreneurs program, a multi-year initiative supporting youth entrepreneurship. This is in-line with MasterCard’s belief in the power of entrepreneurship to create a path of full financial inclusion for today's young and dynamic people. Launched in 2012 in Delhi and Mumbai, the program provides disadvantaged youths aged 15 to 29, with the knowledge, skills and resources required to start and sustain their own entrepreneurial venture.
MasterCard’s philanthropic efforts are focused on furthering financial inclusion through entrepreneurship. “MasterCard believes that by supporting entrepreneurship we are helping individuals overcome barriers to financial inclusion and ultimately achieve positive economic outcomes for themselves, their families and their communities. Through our core competencies, our technology, our people, and our charitable giving, we make a difference in people’s lives around the world,” Mr. Sarker added.
MasterCard recently provided a grant of US$ 35000 to BURO Bangladesh, a ‘not-for-profit’ organization which specializes in financial inclusion through micro-finance, which will go towards providing business and financial literacy and entrepreneurial training to 100,000 individuals in Bangladesh. Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World is another initiative by MasterCard and Singapore Committee for UN Women that helps young changemakers create a better world of opportunities for women and girls in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. MasterCard has also supported Project Karigari Yogkshem (Livelihood for Women) implemented at pan-India locations to reach out to 705 beneficiaries directly in the first year.
The Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award 2014 are presented by ABP News and endorsed by World CSR Day and World Federation of CSR Professional. The Awards recognize outstanding achievements in economic, environmental and social dimensions, by identifying and rewarding exemplary performance by businesses in various aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility.
