CSR portal was launched, and UNICEF, the West Bengal government, and the business community collaborate for the development of children

UNICEF, West Bengal Government and corporate sector will work together for the first time in West Bengal to make joint efforts for the all-round development of children and to solve the major problems related to them. This announcement was made at a corporate roundtable 'Matching Grants to Needs' program organized here, which UNICEF organized in collaboration with the West Bengal Government. Officials from the state government and UNICEF attended the meeting along with representatives from ASSOCHAM, BCCI, Bharat Chamber, FICCI, MCCI and CII (Eastern Region). All expressed their desire to invest to secure the future of children and their environment. The state government has established a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Council and launched a 'CSR Portal', through which corporates can invest their CSR funds in various development projects identified across the state.

On this occasion, West Bengal's Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Industry Minister Dr. Shashi Panja said, "The CSR portal has a portfolio of projects tailored to the needs of children, through which corporates can use their CSR funds. This is an effort to connect the needs of society and the social responsibility of corporates." Dr. Panja also said that UNICEF works on issues related to children all over the world and the corporate world always wants innovative solutions, so this tripartite initiative will prove to be fruitful in the interest of children.

Under this partnership, possibilities of CSR investment will be explored on topics like child health, nutrition, adolescent and youth development, climate-resilient systems for communities affected by natural disasters, education, skill development and social security of marginalized children. Dr. Panja hoped that the combination of UNICEF's expertise and corporate funding will enable the state to move rapidly towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On this occasion, UNICEF India representative Cynthia McCaffrey said that UNICEF has been working with the Government of India for 75 years and this dialogue gives rise to hopes and aspirations for the well-being of children and families. We are stronger together, by combining knowledge, experience and strength we can meet the needs of communities. She presented UNICEF's work related to children in front of the corporates and shared the experiences of her visit to the state, in which she visited Anganwadi centers, health and wellness centers, government hospitals, Kanyashree clubs, centers for children with special needs and schools. Earlier on Tuesday, she met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and praised the child development schemes being run by the state government.

Women and Child Development Department Principal Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh said that projects worth Rs 450 crore have been uploaded on the CSR portal so far and 37 industry groups have already joined it. UNICEF West Bengal Chief Dr Manzoor Hussain said, UNICEF is a partner of the state government, and we hope that this dialogue will make our expertise accessible to corporates so that they can plan their CSR investments better. On this occasion, corporate representatives also informed about the social development efforts shared with the state government and UNICEF and gave positive feedback about the future prospects in this tripartite partnership.