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To empower and enable youth from rural India to join the workforce, we developed SAFAL (Skills Academy for Advancement of Livelihoods) that works to train, skill and upskill individuals to transcend their livelihood challenges.
Flashback to early 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic massively impacted livelihoods, especially in rural areas, exacerbating existing employment challenges. In response to this urgent need, we launched SAFAL as a pilot, a beacon of hope and opportunity in times of crisis.
We partnered with the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), an organisation under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and organisations like UNICEF YuWaah, LabourNet, Sarthak Educational Trust, and Cheshire Disability Trust to launch SAFAL. Ever since, our focus has been on skilling and upskilling, entrepreneurship, and empowering persons with disabilities to fulfil their true potential. This initiative was born out of a pressing need to bridge the employability gap, especially in rural areas, and to empower those facing significant barriers to employment.
SAFAL embodies HUL's commitment to addressing critical employment and skill gap challenges in communities around our operations. Focused on youth, women, and people with disabilities, SAFAL provides diverse career options that inspire and empower.
Through UNICEF’s YuWaah’s Passport 2 Earning (P2E) we aimed to train 1,00,000 lakh youth digitally through 10 hours of online training modules and place 80,000 of them in jobs.
In 2023, SAFAL expanded to train 1,00,000 youth through an Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP) of NIESBUD. Additionally, through SAFAL, we have introduced two projects: the SAFAL Sales Pro Academy, training 5,000 individuals in frontline sales roles, and the Retailer Strengthening Project, aiding 20,000 youth retailers yearly with government scheme education and handholding them through formalisation and credit linkage services for business expansion. SAFAL has impacted thousands of lives in just one year, setting the stage for even greater achievements.
HUL is dedicated to empowering 1.5 million youths with essential skills by 2030 through the SAFAL program. SAFAL has already touched thousands of lives in the past year by offering diverse and aspirational career options. The initiative focuses on boosting entrepreneurship, enhancing skills, and providing placement support, all while promoting inclusivity and opportunity for all.
SAFAL’s impact has had tangible recognition, such as winning the Best Employment Generation Initiative of the Year at the prestigious Global CSR, Sustainability, and ESG Awards 2024.
SAFAL has already made strides in narrowing the employability gap. In 2023-24, the program certified 81,500 youths, with over 48,000 of them gaining employment. Additionally, 1,500 youth retailers have been impacted, demonstrating the program's broad reach and effectiveness.
Covering more than 20 states, SAFAL has generated social returns of Rs. 68.48 for every rupee invested. These impressive figures underscore SAFAL's commitment to building a future-ready workforce across India.
Meet Basavva, a beacon of resilience from Mysore. Born with a hearing impairment, she faced immense obstacles yet never let her spirit waver. With her family's unwavering support, she pursued a diploma in Architecture and worked as a Data Entry Associate. When the pandemic disrupted her career, she turned to the SAFAL Livelihood Centre for Persons with Disabilities. Through training in Advanced Excel and soft skills, she regained her confidence. Today, she excels as a Customer Service Associate at a leading retail store, balancing her professional and personal life gracefully.
Rinku Devi is an indomitable entrepreneur from Udaipur, Rajasthan. She successfully managed Ruhi Beauty Parlour for a decade but aspired to expand her business. Despite meticulous planning, her loan application was initially delayed. Unfazed, Rinku sought assistance from the SAFAL Youth Retailer Strengthening Programme, which guided her through the necessary paperwork and offered strategic advice. Her persistence paid off when she secured a loan from a bank in Rajasthan, allowing her to elevate her business.
Another inspiring narrative is that of Bijit Kumar Rabha, who, despite having a 50% locomotor disability and numerous rejections, never relinquished his dreams. With his mother's steadfast support, Bijit found new hope at the SAFAL Livelihood Centre for Persons with Disabilities in Guwahati. There, he developed the skills and confidence needed to seek employment. Now employed as a Warehouse Associate at a leading online shopping company, Bijit has secured a steady income and earned a promotion within three months. He often returns to the Guwahati Centre to motivate others, exemplifying that anything is possible with the right support and unyielding determination.
Stories like these highlight the power of determination and the critical role of support systems like SAFAL. Today, SAFAL and its beneficiaries continue to grow, serve communities and inspire others. The SAFAL program is more than an initiative – it is a beacon of empowerment, resilience, and growth. Each success story reminds us of the extraordinary potential within every individual and the profound impact that support and opportunity can have on their lives.
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