AIM Recognizes Fourth Cohort of Community Innovator Fellows, Partnering with Capgemini India to Foster Grassroots Innovation

The CIF Program forms a core part of AIM’s broader mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, specifically targeting underserved regions.

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, reached a significant milestone with the formal recognition of its fourth cohort of Community Innovator Fellows (CIFs) today. This year, the program has been further strengthened through a strategic partnership with Capgemini India, highlighting a key collaboration aimed at empowering grassroots innovators across India.

The CIF initiative, which focuses on fostering local, sustainable solutions to community-specific challenges, continues to gain momentum with the backing of key stakeholders committed to driving social and economic progress in underserved areas. The recognition event also marked the launch of a two-day intensive bootcamp, designed to equip CIFs with critical skills and knowledge to scale their innovations and create lasting impact.

CIF Program: Empowering Grassroots Innovators

The Community Innovator Fellowship (CIF) is a one-year intensive initiative that provides aspiring innovators from diverse socio-economic backgrounds with essential infrastructure, training, and mentorship to scale their ideas into sustainable businesses. Each Fellow is placed at one of the Atal Community Innovation Centers (ACICs), where they receive specialized training in entrepreneurial, SDG-focused, and life skills, all tailored to solving problems unique to their respective communities.

The CIF Program forms a core part of AIM’s broader mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, specifically targeting underserved regions. The initiative is geared towards accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, empowering local communities and creating an inclusive innovation ecosystem.

Key Addresses and Insights from Industry Leaders

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director at AIM, praised the program’s impact on empowering innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. “The CIFs are uniquely positioned to address pressing community problems with solutions that are both scalable and sustainable. This program exemplifies how innovation can meet purpose, where community-driven ideas contribute to national progress,” Dr. Vaishnav said during his keynote address. He further emphasized the importance of the program in advancing solutions in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and financial services.

Capgemini India, a global leader in consulting, technology services, and digital transformation, has been a key partner this year, supporting the cohort by providing grants of INR 1 lakh each to 15 CIFs, helping them scale their innovative solutions. Dhanashree Page, Head of Operations for Digital Inclusion and CSR at Capgemini India, highlighted the role of collaborative partnerships in driving societal progress. She stated, “The CIFs represent the creativity and ingenuity of India’s grassroots innovators. By empowering these individuals, we are enabling scalable solutions that can transform communities and create lasting change.”

Dr. Suresh Reddy, Lead CSR & Director at SRF Foundation, also shared his thoughts on the significant impact of social entrepreneurship in addressing community challenges. “Today’s event underscores the commitment and vision of the CIFs. They are truly the brightest minds in India, using their innovations to tackle pressing local issues,” he said. “At SRF Foundation, we remain dedicated to supporting these transformative initiatives, ensuring their impact reaches every corner of the country.”

Grant Distribution and Future Prospects

The event culminated with the presentation of grants to the CIFs, marking the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. These grants will help them take their innovative solutions from concept to scale, making a tangible difference in their communities. The CIFs are now poised to tackle a range of community-specific challenges, such as improving local healthcare access, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing educational opportunities in underserved regions.

The two-day bootcamp provided intensive training on entrepreneurial skills, business scaling strategies, and impact measurement, empowering CIFs to refine their business models and achieve long-term sustainability.

A Vision for Sustainable Innovation and SDG Goals

This year’s cohort recognition underscores AIM’s commitment to advancing grassroots innovation and promoting entrepreneurship, especially in underserved areas. The partnership with Capgemini India and SRF Foundation is pivotal in amplifying the reach of this program, ensuring that solutions developed by the CIFs contribute to achieving SDG 2030.

As India moves forward with its innovation agenda, the Community Innovator Fellowship remains a central initiative, empowering individuals with the tools and resources necessary to bring about real, scalable change in their communities.