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Report on the Saksham Initiative’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals in India

Executive Summary

This report details the impact of the Saksham initiative, a collaboration between Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) and United Way Mumbai. Now in its fourth year, the program provides vocational training and entrepreneurship support to individuals from challenging backgrounds in India. The initiative demonstrates a significant contribution to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of economic growth, gender equality, quality education, and poverty reduction.

Program Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Saksham initiative was launched to foster inclusive entrepreneurship, initially targeting women and later expanding to include individuals across all gender identities. The program’s structure and outcomes directly align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The program is a direct catalyst for achieving sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. By equipping beneficiaries with marketable skills, it facilitates their entry into the workforce and promotes entrepreneurship.

• A 2024 impact assessment indicates that 90% of beneficiaries are meaningfully engaged in employment or their own ventures, a significant increase from 45% prior to the program.
• Of those engaged, 68% have secured employment in the private sector, and 23% have successfully launched their own enterprises in fields such as tailoring, baking, and makeup artistry.

SDG 5: Gender Equality & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Saksham actively promotes gender equality and reduces socio-economic inequalities by empowering marginalized communities.

• The program specifically targets women and individuals from diverse gender identities, providing them with pathways to economic independence and self-reliance.
• By focusing on high-need communities, the initiative ensures that opportunities for growth and dignity are extended to those most at risk of being left behind.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The core of the initiative is the provision of relevant vocational and technical skills, a key target of SDG 4.

• In 2025, 60 individuals were enrolled in vocational training courses.
• Over 40 participants were successfully certified, equipping them with the qualifications needed for gainful employment.
• Training spans diverse trades, including baking, tailoring, and beauty services.

SDG 1: No Poverty

By creating sustainable income opportunities, the program directly contributes to the eradication of poverty. Beneficiaries are empowered to move from high-risk situations to earning a dignified livelihood, thereby enhancing their economic resilience.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaboration between FedEx, a global private sector entity, and United Way Mumbai, a non-profit organization, exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnership model essential for achieving the SDGs.

Comprehensive Support Framework

To ensure sustainable outcomes, the Saksham initiative provides a multi-faceted support system beyond technical training. This holistic approach is critical to preparing beneficiaries for long-term success.

Key Program Components:

1. Beneficiary Identification: Mobilization and screening to identify individuals from high-need communities.
2. Vocational Training: Scholarships for certified courses across various trades.
3. Soft Skills Development: Personality development and grooming sessions to enhance workplace readiness.
4. Entrepreneurship Support: Capacity-building and training to help participants launch or scale their ventures.
5. Material Support: Distribution of “Saksham kits” containing occupational toolkits to facilitate immediate economic activity.

Conclusion

The FedEx and United Way Mumbai Saksham initiative serves as an effective model for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in India. Through targeted interventions in skills development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive opportunity, the program generates measurable impacts on decent work (SDG 8), gender equality (SDG 5), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), quality education (SDG 4), and poverty reduction (SDG 1). The partnership (SDG 17) demonstrates a successful framework for corporate-social collaboration in building a more equitable and resilient society.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article highlights the Saksham program’s focus on providing individuals from “challenging backgrounds” and “high-need communities” with pathways to “independent income opportunities” and “economic resilience.” This directly addresses the goal of eradicating poverty by empowering people to earn a sustainable livelihood.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The program’s core is providing “vocational training” and “skills and certification” in trades like baking, tailoring, and makeup artistry. This connects directly to the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The initiative was “originally launched to support women entrepreneurs” and has expanded to include “individuals across gender identities.” By focusing on these groups and providing them with economic opportunities, the program directly contributes to empowering women and achieving gender equality.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article emphasizes “inclusive entrepreneurship” and achieving “meaningful engagement” where beneficiaries are “either employed or running their own ventures.” This aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.

5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The program’s mission is to create a “more equitable” society by providing “equal opportunity for all.” It specifically targets marginalized groups, including women, individuals across gender identities, and those from difficult economic circumstances, directly addressing the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty. The program aims to lift beneficiaries out of poverty by equipping them with skills for economic self-reliance.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article states that the program provides “vocational training,” “certification,” and “entrepreneurship training” to achieve this.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in economic life. The program fosters this by supporting “women small business owners” and helping them launch or scale ventures.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men. The program’s success is measured by beneficiaries becoming “meaningfully engaged,” with 68% working in the private sector and 23% becoming entrepreneurs.
   • Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET). The program directly tackles this by moving individuals from a state of low engagement (45%) to high engagement (90%) through vocational training and job readiness support.

5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all, irrespective of gender or economic status. The program’s focus on “individuals across gender identities” and those from “high-need communities” is a direct implementation of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 4 (Quality Education) & SDG 8 (Decent Work)

   • Indicator: Number of individuals enrolled in and completing vocational training. The article explicitly states, “60 individuals from across gender identities enrolled in vocational training, with more than 40 successfully certified.”
   • Indicator: Proportion of beneficiaries who are employed or self-employed after the program. The article provides a clear metric from its impact assessment: “90% of these beneficiaries to date are meaningfully engaged*: either employed or running their own ventures, compared to just 45% prior to the program.”
   • Indicator: Breakdown of employment type. The article specifies that of those engaged, “68% are now working in the private sector, while 23% have become entrepreneurs.”

2. For SDG 5 (Gender Equality) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

   • Indicator: Number of individuals from specific vulnerable groups supported. The article mentions the program has supported “thousands of women small business owners and over 160 individuals from diverse communities, including those across gender identities.” This quantifies the reach to targeted groups.

3. For SDG 1 (No Poverty)

   • Indicator (Implied): Change in economic status. The increase in meaningful engagement from 45% to 90% serves as a strong proxy indicator for poverty reduction, as it represents a shift towards stable income generation for individuals from “challenging backgrounds.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: csrwire.com