How Business Leaders Can Shape CSR and Nurture Gen Z Talent
Adarsh Kataruka, MD, SoulAce, 0
As the sun rises over the Teesta river in East Sikkim, a bunch of mobile medical vans criss-cross the mountainous terrain to provide medical aid right at the doorsteps of the villagers inhabiting this remote part of the country. The ‘Health on Wheels’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, spearheaded by a pharmaceutical company, is managed by a team of healthcare professionals who conduct diagnostic tests, provide consultations and hand over medications to the villagers. They also organize health camps across 15 villages where the program is currently underway. Probably, projects such as this one in a remote hinterland would not have been possible without a landmark legislation coming into effect on 1st April 2014, that ushered in mandatory provision of CSR under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Also Read: WAVES 2025: Burgeoning India's Orange Economy
Over the last decade, CSR has helped transform the lives of millions of people across communities in diverse parts of the country. Corporate India has made CSR the bedrock of its vision to launch innovative development projects in a range of thematic areas such as education, healthcare, environment, sports, rural development and sustainable livelihoods. In the last 10 years, CSR spending has tripled to touch INR 34,909 crores in 2023-24, as per the data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Although, education and healthcare projects received the lion’s share of this funding, there is growing interest by companies to fund projects in water security, sports and skill development.
Since 2021, there has been a dramatic shift in CSR from funding to impact as the government introduced mandatory impact assessment for companies that have an average CSR spend of INR 10 crore or more in the past three financial years. For all projects having a budget of INR 1 crore or more, companies had to get an impact assessment done by an independent agency. This ensured that CSR activities were strategically planned, implemented and assessed with greater rigor, resulting in the desired social outcomes.
SoulAce’s recent studies, based on over 100 impact assessments each in healthcare, education and water CSR projects, highlight the positive impact of CSR on diverse geographies from urban centers to far-flung rural corners of the country.
The government has also made CSR a Board-driven process. Besides approving the CSR policy, the Board has to disclose the contents of the policy in its report, and has to ensure that it is available on the company’s website. The Board is also directly responsible for ensuring that the activities included in the CSR policy are undertaken by the company. These changes have put the spotlight on CSR as a matter of policy and commitment with transparency and impact at the heart of these initiatives.
How Business Leaders Can Drive CSR
CEOs and Directors on the Boards of companies have a unique opportunity to make
CSR more impactful by aligning it with the company’s brand purpose and core business values. When senior leadership treats CSR as a strategic priority tied to long-term objectives, it reinforces the organization's commitment to sustainability, community development, and inclusive growth. By actively leading social impact efforts, CEOs can foster cross-functional collaboration and turn CSR into a driver of innovation, talent retention, and risk management—creating shared value for both society and shareholders.
Today, many CSR strategies still follow budget cycles and broad thematic trends. To be truly effective, they must connect ambitious sustainability goals with the real needs of communities. This means embracing adaptive approaches that prioritize local partnerships, participatory planning, and continuous on-ground feedback.
Purpose is the New Perk: Harnessing CSR and Volunteering for Employee Engagement
CSR today is driven by a growing demand from consumers, investors, and employees for ethical and sustainable practices. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, prefer to work with brands that align with the core values of giving back to society. They are more likely to support businesses that show commitment to social impact, fair trade, diversity, and environmental stewardship.
Also Read: Interesting Reactions of Tech Leaders in the Light of AI Appreciation Day
A recent study revealed that the meaningfulness of work is one of the top factors driving employee retention and the absence of it contributes significantly to attrition.
HR leaders have a major role to play in shaping the culture and fostering a purpose-driven workplace. A well-structured employee volunteering program can boost employee morale, and engagement, strengthen team collaboration, and enhance the company’s reputation. The chances of employees feeling connected to their company mission are high when engaged in corporate volunteering as it brings a sense of belonging and job satisfaction.
Employee volunteering significantly enhances engagement, teamwork, and overall well-being. According to a study that 96 percent of companies report that employees who volunteer are more engaged, 94 percent of volunteers report improvement in their people skills, 93percent of volunteers experience a boost in mood and overall well-being and 93percent of employees who volunteer feel more satisfied with their employer.
SoulAce is on a mission to help organizations create a culture of employee volunteering. We work closely with CSR and HR leaders to curate, plan and implement volunteering programs across diverse locations.
As employee volunteering ties back to the ESG goals, it becomes imperative for business leaders to create avenues for employees to give back to the communities they work with. CEOs can strongly support their company’s commitment to sustainable and ethical growth by championing transparent reporting, deeper commitment to CSR and leveraging the power of volunteering to retain talent and build a formidable brand.
When CEOs lead from the front, CSR moves from a peripheral activity to a catalyst for ESG success. By making CSR data-driven and outcome-oriented, leadership ensures it drives long-term value, not just compliance.
By making CSR data-driven and outcome-oriented, leadership ensures it drives long-term value, not just compliance.
Today, many CSR strategies still follow budget cycles and broad thematic trends. To be truly effective, they must connect ambitious sustainability goals with the real needs of communities. This means embracing adaptive approaches that prioritize local partnerships, participatory planning, and continuous on-ground feedback.
Purpose is the New Perk: Harnessing CSR and Volunteering for Employee Engagement
CSR today is driven by a growing demand from consumers, investors, and employees for ethical and sustainable practices. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, prefer to work with brands that align with the core values of giving back to society. They are more likely to support businesses that show commitment to social impact, fair trade, diversity, and environmental stewardship.
Also Read: Interesting Reactions of Tech Leaders in the Light of AI Appreciation Day
A recent study revealed that the meaningfulness of work is one of the top factors driving employee retention and the absence of it contributes significantly to attrition.
HR leaders have a major role to play in shaping the culture and fostering a purpose-driven workplace. A well-structured employee volunteering program can boost employee morale, and engagement, strengthen team collaboration, and enhance the company’s reputation. The chances of employees feeling connected to their company mission are high when engaged in corporate volunteering as it brings a sense of belonging and job satisfaction.
Employee volunteering significantly enhances engagement, teamwork, and overall well-being. According to a study that 96 percent of companies report that employees who volunteer are more engaged, 94 percent of volunteers report improvement in their people skills, 93percent of volunteers experience a boost in mood and overall well-being and 93percent of employees who volunteer feel more satisfied with their employer.
SoulAce is on a mission to help organizations create a culture of employee volunteering. We work closely with CSR and HR leaders to curate, plan and implement volunteering programs across diverse locations.
As employee volunteering ties back to the ESG goals, it becomes imperative for business leaders to create avenues for employees to give back to the communities they work with. CEOs can strongly support their company’s commitment to sustainable and ethical growth by championing transparent reporting, deeper commitment to CSR and leveraging the power of volunteering to retain talent and build a formidable brand.
When CEOs lead from the front, CSR moves from a peripheral activity to a catalyst for ESG success. By making CSR data-driven and outcome-oriented, leadership ensures it drives long-term value, not just compliance.