We’re proud to announce that United Way has been honoured with two prestigious awards at the 7th ICC Social Impact Awards 2025!
Our work in Wayanad was celebrated under the Healthcare category for making meaningful strides in community well-being. And our one-of-a-kind Safe Space Centre for the LGBTQ+ community, under the campaign AIKYAM, was recognized under the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) category.
Here’s to creating change that matters, and building a world that includes everyone.
Let’s get to know a little more on these interventions that got us here.
A Safe Space for the LGBTQ+ Community
“Leave No One Behind” — the promise of the UN’s 2030 Agenda — remains distant for many in the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite the conversations on inclusion, acceptance is still out of reach. Discrimination, stigma, and violence are everyday realities in India, making access to basic rights like healthcare, education, housing, and jobs a challenge. Many are pushed to the margins, often into begging or sex work, stripped of dignity and safety.
The First Safe Space Centre
In 2022, United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) established its first Safe Space for the LGBTQIA+ community in Guttahalli. More than just a center, it is a judgment-free environment with access to healthcare, counselling, legal aid, and livelihood support. It also fosters community connection and awareness on rights, identity, and support systems.
Highlighting the reach of our first centre
- 814 individuals sought medical consultation from our health centre
- 144 people availed the counselling services
- 86 members of the community registered for TG certificates & ID cards
- 21 individuals applied for Dhanashree scheme
- 15 community members received ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health card)
- 6 people received Ayushment Bharat TG+ insurance
Cooked Meal Intervention
In 2022, UWBe, under its Rural Rising campaign, launched a focused initiative to improve the nutritional status of children, particularly in tribal communities, and create a healthier, more informed ecosystem around child nutrition.
Creating Child-Friendly Spaces and Nutritious Plates
As part of the initiative, 30 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) were refurbished into vibrant, child-friendly spaces – safe havens where learning and nourishment go hand in hand. In 42 AWCs, a Cooked Meal Intervention was introduced, designed to meet the micro-nutrient needs of young children. Nutrition education and behavior change became central themes, with active involvement from Anganwadi workers, children, and parents. The belief was clear: early childhood nutrition is imperative for children.
Collaboration That Catalyzed Change
The initiative flourished thanks to a powerful network of collaboration. Backed by our CSR partners, and supported closely by the Kerala Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Women and Child Development (WCD) departments and the Panchayat members of Noolpuzha, the project became a true community effort.
Co-Active Kitchens: Where Nutrition Meets Inclusion
One of the most innovative aspects of the initiative has been the Co-Active Kitchens for Enrichment (CAKE) program. These community kitchens, set up within tribal hamlets, engaged mothers in hands-on cooking demonstrations using locally available ingredients. The goal? To promote nutrition-specific behavior change in a culturally relevant and accessible way.
These kitchens became more than just cooking spaces – they became centers of social inclusion, bringing communities together around a shared goal: the health and well-being of their children.
Measurable Impact, Meaningful Change
The numbers tell a powerful story.
- 61% increase in children falling within the normal nutrition category*
- 47% reduction in cases of Protein Energy Malnutrition*
- 400 Co-Active Kitchens set up
- 730 children directly impacted
- SROI of Rs. 7.4 on each rupee invested
*calculated across January 2023 to September 2024
Sustaining the Momentum
Recognizing the initiative’s success and long-term potential, Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat has committed to take ownership and continue it, allocating funds to continue the interventions across all Anganwadi Centres in the area and sustain the impact.
Conclusion
As an organisation that works on various projects in multiple thematic areas, United Way Bengaluru has vast reach in terms of the social impact we create. Some of our flagship programs address early childhood care and education, different aspects of climate action, and livelihood support for rural women. The two interventions described above have both shown deep and meaningful social impact, contributing to our goals of health and DEI.
We are honoured that our efforts have been acknowledged as we continue to work towards contributing to the development of the communities we work with.