REACHA Key Projects Over Period of Time
Nokia Smartpur
(2024-Present)
Nokia’s flagship initiative, Smartpur, was developed to revolutionize access to livelihood opportunities, healthcare, financial inclusion, education, and governance for rural communities by leveraging the transformative power of technology. Smartpur is a digital village ecosystem project that aims to integrate technology into the daily lives of people living in remote villages. By utilizing digital connectivity, the project seeks to empower local entrepreneurs and provide them with the infrastructure to make essential services accessible at the village level through Smartpur centres.
As Nokia’s flagship CSR initiative, Smartpur is a pioneering digital village ecosystem designed to empower rural and remote communities across India through inclusive and sustainable development. Rooted in Nokia’s CSR vision of “Connecting the Unconnected,” Smartpur bridges gaps in access to essential services while strengthening rural resilience through technology-enabled entrepreneurship and grassroots capacity building.
Implemented by REACHA, the project operationalizes the Smartpur model by establishing digital centres in underserved villages, managed by trained local youth entrepreneurs. These centres serve as critical access points for delivering services across five interconnected pillars: Education, Livelihood, Governance, Financial Inclusion and Health.
Through Nokia’s Smartpur initiative, the REACHA team is engaging deeply with communities to assess the change being driven by 105 Smartpur Centres across Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. These centres deliver services across the five key pillars mentioned above. his report focuses on the 105 centres across six geographies.
Most centres are located at the Panchayat level, in highly rural and remote areas. The project also aims to inform district administrations about how government schemes are impacting communities on the ground, identify challenges, and explore pathways for collective strengthening of these communities.
IIFL Foundation
Jammu and Kashmir
Hospitality Training Program (2023 to Present) -
The objective of the programme is to train youth in the Hospitality Training Programme (Chef Trade) with employment opportunities to those who so desire. The programme will help the youth to embark on a Hospitality (Chef Trade) career path thereby will not only help the trainees and their families financially, but also help in contributing to the economic and social development of Kupwara, Kashmir, and the country. The project is being carried out in collaboration with Indian Army - 41 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Maratha Light Infantry (LI).
Certifcation Partner - Tata Strive
Beautician (2024-Present) and Coding Programs (2024)
The Project aims to women for Guidance Courses in Beauty & Wellness, and Computer Coding Skills for furtherance of education and vocation of Youth, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir address challenges of unemployment, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities, especially among women and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. By offering guidance courses in Beauty & Wellness and in Coding 21st Century Skills, we seek to fill this gap and equip individuals with the necessary skills to secure sustainable livelihoods. Baramulla, like many parts of India, grapples with gender disparities and limited opportunities for youth.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with Indian Army - 19 Artilery Brigade.
Certification Partner - Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council and NIELIT
Retails Sales Associate Training Program (2022 to 2024) -
The objective of the program was to provide market-related retail associate training, with employability to the youth belonging to District Kupwara in Kashmir. The program's focus was to provide suitable employment to the students given the availability of jobs in Kupwara and surrounding towns.The course duration included a core training module that focuses on work-related training customized as per RASCI.
The project was carried out in collaboration with Indian Amry - 41 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Maratha Light Infantry (LI).
Certiciation Partner - RASCI
Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh (2023-Present)
The project, a collaboration between the IIFL Foundation and REACHA under the guidance of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Ministry of Defense, Government of India, addresses critical gaps in the skilling and upskilling of youth in Northeast India.
What sets this project apart is its community-driven approach. Through extensive discussions and engagement with local communities, the need for a skill development program targeting Home Stay Hosts was identified as crucial for the region's socio-economic development. By empowering local youths with practical skills relevant to the tourism industry, the project addresses immediate employment needs and fosters sustainable growth and prosperity in Northeast India.
Certification Partner - THSC
Manipur (2025 onwards)
REACHA has started Home Stay Host and Front Desk Management Training Programs with support of IIFL (India Infoline Group) Foundation in collaboration with Assam Rifles - Indian Army in Manipur.
This effort is in line with team's effort to reach the last mile in tough and remote geographies of India and strengthen the communities.
Certification Partner - Tata Strive
The Indian Hotels Company Liimited
IHCL and REACHA are implementing Skill Development Initiatives not only across Kashmir – Uri, Boniyar and Kupwara, but also in Uttarakhand. This collaboration has so far positively impacted 375 youth, out of which 140 youth have also moved towards meaningful opportunities. Further, 600 more youth would be trained across Kashmir and Uttarakhand in this
FY, leading to a total outreach to 975 youth through IHCL and REACHA’s intervention since the inception of our collaboration in 2023. In addition, 350 more trainees in Kupwara, Kashmir have undergone Tata STRIVE-IHCL Curriculum and Assessment. Tata STRIVE as the certification partner is providing market aligned knowledge to our trainees in Kashmir, and
making them market ready.
Boniyar (2024 onwards)
IHCL and REACHA started the “Food and Beverage, and Chef Bakery Training Programme” at Chinar Nau Jawan Club, Boniyar (Jammu & Kashmir) in April 2024 in collaboration with Baramulla Army 15 JAKLI (Brigade 161 PIR PANJAL) with Tata STRIVE as Certification Partner.
During the inauguration at Boniyar - Chief Guest Brig PMS Dillon during his speech emphasized the importance of this initiative, and also shared how Indian Amry around the valley has been doing initiatives to uplift and mainstream the community, and how this aligns with the same. He
also motivated students to come and be part of the program.
IHCL support at Boniyar with REACHA will touch upon 400 trainees by the end of FY 2025-26 since inception.
Kupwara (2024 onwards)
Encouraged by Boniyar’s success, IHCL collaboration with REACHA expanded to Kupwara (Another Aspirational District). After discussions with the Indian Army and a detailed need assessment by REACHA, a new programme was launched at the Roshan Mustaqbil Centre in Kupwara in January 2025.
Roshan Mustaqbil (RM) Training Center is being developed by a collaborative initiative by IHCL, and REACHA, with support of Indian Army (28 Infantry Div Signals Regiment) aimed at empowering youth in Kupwara through skill development, career counselling, and livelihood
generation.
This initiative will impact 225 youth by the end of FY 2025-26 since inception.
Message from Col Tanmoy (Roshan Mustaqbil) Our collaboration with IHCL and REACHA Foundation has been impactful, strengthening our
efforts at Roshan Mustaqbil(RM) to create meaningful opportunities for Kupwara's youth.REACHA will further enhance this journey by introducing their dedicated programmes amplifying the impact on the community.
Uri (2025 onwards)
IHCL and REACHA co-designed a unique dual-domain initiative - the “Chef
Bakery and Fashion Designing (Weaving) Training Programme” which will be training 150 individuals in FY 2025-26. This programme aligns with IHCL’s mission of creating inclusive growth opportunities while addressing local aspirations and ensuring livelihood generation through skill-based employment.
During inauguration Brig Manish Sehgal (VSM), Commander 12 Inf Bde, Dagger Division of Indian Army, Uri, shared, “Working with youth and community is our commitment to nurture development in the region. The skill centre by IHCL and REACHA is a collaborative effort to uplift local communities and provide the youth with tools for a brighter future.”
Uttarakhand (2025 onwards)
The success of the partnership in Kashmir inspired IHCL and REACHA to extend their collaboration beyond the region. In FY 2025–26, IHCL and REACHA are implementing the “Uttarakhand Youth Upskilling Programme” in Uttarakhand.
This initiative, currently in its first year, and aims to train 200 youth in AC technician and electrician associated trades. The programme emphasizes employability from the very beginning - encouraging trainees to take up internships/market opportunities during training and supporting them in securing jobs or starting enterprises within the state.
The team is closely collaborating with Department of Skill Development and Employment, Uttarakhand for this initiative. An In-house content and IHCL, DSDE and REACHA Assessment and Certification would be used to get the youth market ready in Uttarakhand.
ONGC
Kashmir
REACHA has experience of working in Kashmir since 2016 (Baramulla) to 2024, with support of ONGC CSR. Both are Aspirational Districts, as there are many challenges on the ground here because of the history of these places, geographical locations, and the conflicts that have happened. Since 2016, REACHA team has relentlessly been working here with
support of Armed Forces and ONGC and have trained around 10,000 youth in various trades - Fashion Designing, Coding, Drug De-addiction, Musician, Hospitality, Retail.
Uttarakhand (2024-25) -
“Guidance Courses in Technology based 21st century skills for Promoting healthcare of 1000 students/youth as part of furtherance of their Education.”.
The effort aimed to inculcate core values of mindfulness, self awareness, knowledge about nutrition, importance of sleep among students so as they grow they make good choices that can delay/avoid the onset of diseases and health problems.
The students then themselves become the role models, and changemakers and take the message to their families and friends.
Genpact
Skill BRIDGE | A Genpact CSR initiative supported by Genpact, with REACHA as the implementation partner, is being implemnted in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for 200 youth in FY 2025-26.
The programme enrolls youth from underserved communities and trains them in important IT skills such as MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, AI, and basics of programming, along with employability skills.
The inauguration was graced by:
- Ms. Neha Prakash (IAS), Director of Employment, Uttar Pradesh
- Mr. Ghanshyam, Scientist, NIELIT
- Ms. Rachna Chugh and Ms. Sutanuka Ghosh from Genpact who shared Genpact’s mission and vision for youth empowerment.
Cadence
Maharashtra (Pune)
Coding for the School Students (2024 to Present) –
The objective of the programme is to train students from Classes 6th to 8th in government and PMC/PCMC schools in essential digital skills such as Coding, Robotics, STEM concepts, Artificial Intelligence, creativity, and soft skills. The programme is being implemented by REACHA under the Cadence CSR initiative.
The training includes both classroom teaching and practical lab sessions using the Kojo platform and other STEM tools.
Regular STEM and coding sessions are enabling students to create projects, experiment with AI, and develop innovative solutions. The programme also engages with PMC/PCMC officials and government stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and highlight student achievements.
The aim of the programme is to equip the students with coding classes, problem-solving ability, and confidence, and enabling them to pursue higher education and future career opportunities in technology.
SIDBI
Nagaland (Kohima) and Arunachal Pradesh (Lohit)
Guidance for Youth for Furtherance of Vocation through Enterprise Development (2025 to Present) –
The objective of the programme is to build the capacity of 300 youth and support enterprise development through skill development training aligned with local needs. The programme is being implemented by REACHA with the support of SIDBI.
In Nagaland, training is being provided in bamboo crafting, and in Arunachal Pradesh, training is being conducted on the revival of oranges. Handbooks have been developed for both trades to support learning.
Key Stakeholders – Indian Army (Assam Rifles) , Horticulture Department (AP), Agriculture Department (AP), Bamboo Mission (Nagaland), MSME (AP), SRLM (AP)
.
IBM
(2020 to 2024)
REACHA Implemneted the IBM SkillsBuild Program Pan India from 2020 to 2024.
Key Government Stakeholders –
Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM)
Directorate of Skill Development (DSD), Madhya Pradesh
Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Madhya Pradesh
UCOST, Uttarakhand
Department of Skill Development and Employment (DSDE), Uttarakhand
IDAN and Directorate of Higher Education Nagaland
.
Kesari
(2024-25)
The programme aimed to train local youth in Kupwara as professional tour guides to enhance employability in the tourism sector. Implemented by REACHA under the CSR initiative of Kesari Tours, the training equipped participants with the knowledge and skills required for guiding, communication, customer handling, and promoting local culture and heritage.
Key Stakeholder – Indian Army
Certification Partner – Kesari Tours
Imperial Auto Industries
Imperial Auto
Haryana (Faridabad)
Guidance Courses for Industrial Upskilling of ITI Youth (2023 to Present) –
The objective of the programme is to enhance the skills of the youth of ITI Faridabad in trades such as Welding, Fitter, Machinist, etc. The programme is being implemented by REACHA as part of the CSR initiative of Imperial Auto Industries Ltd, Faridabad.
Certification Partner - Imperial Auto Industries Ltd.
Key Stakeholders Involved- GITI Faridabad
.
Kojo Kalpana
Over the past years, REACHA has focused deeply to train students across India to learn 21st century skills using Coding in Kojo Learning Environment (Kojo) with an aim to promote education, skill development, and community development in underserved communities.
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Kojo Kalpana: Working with schools across India to introduce students and teachers to the Kojo open-source learning environment. More than 60 teachers and 900 students have been trained in Kojo through this initiative.
Rising Sun Energy
The project design and scope of the project is to provide accessible and high-quality education to target groups through well-structured programs and upgraded infrastructure.
The allocated budget was effectively utilized to achieve these objectives under supervision and monitoring of Indian Army.
The infra would benefit 250 members at Roshan Mustaqbil, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir.
REC
Primary Education: Improvement of Learning Outcomes (2018 to 2019) –
Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), a Government of India Enterprise, provided financial assistance under its CSR initiative to REACHA for the project aimed at improving learning outcomes in primary education for 3,000 children studying in government schools of Atraulia block, Azamgarh district.