eCoexist
The eCoexist umbrella came into being in 2006 with the intention of addressing issues related to Environment and Livelihoods. Initially as we were focussed on creating awareness around eco products we started out as an enterprise. However our work involved a lot of education around the issues we were tackling and the products we were promoting. With the scope of work increasing beyond an enterprise into charitable and humanitarian work, as well as environmental advocacy we set up the eCoexist Foundation to focus on these activities.
eCoexist Foundation
eCoexist Foundation was begun in 2017, to focus on the education and skill development aspects of our work. Charitable and humanitarian works are carried out under the eCoexist Foundation and we regularly raise funds for causes we are associated with . Training and skill development is offered to vulnerable and challenged groups under our Green Livelihoods programmes. Research in several environmental issues are taken up under the Foundation. eCoexist Foundation is a registered Section 8 not for profit organisation.
eCoexist Enterprise
eCoexist Enterprises was begun in 2006, with a focus on designing and promoting eco friendly materials and products . It continues to pioneer several campaigns to replace the use of toxics with natural and recycled products. When a particular producer group is qualified to become a supplier, they are offered the opportunity to work with the enterprise which ensures them a steady livelihood. This creates a market linkage and assures the future of the producers. eCoexist Enterprises is a for profit limited liability partnership.
A Social Entrepreneurship Space
The concept of social enterprises is still relatively new in India. eCoexist Products was formed in 2006, as a social enterprise because it aimed to address all the three aspects of People, Planet and Profit in its work. This triple bottomline required it to work as a non profit, taking on campaigns and doing education, as well as a commercial entity to create livelihoods and generate income for the underprivileged.
As per Wikipedia, a social enterprise is an organisation that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in financial, social and environmental well-being—this may include maximizing social impact alongside profits for external shareholders. What differentiates social enterprises from other organizations is that their social mission is as core to their success as any potential profit.
Objectives of eCoexist Foundation
(1) CONSCIOUSNESS: To promote evolution of consciousness and help build a society that is deeply connected to nature.
(2) ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION: To promote environment conservation and protection of soil, water, air and overall natural and built environment by way of education, awareness, training amongst masses. To help develop environment friendly habits such as reducing usage of plastic and such other materials which adversely affect soil, water and overall environment. To promote usage of eco-friendly materials and natural and recycled products. To promote construction of green buildings with rain water harvesting, garbage recycling, solar energy and similar facilities. To promote reuse and recycling of various products used in day to day life. To help develop and promote sustainable practices of waste management at household, community city and national levels. To help people to measure their impact on the natural environment and reduce their social and environmental footprint.
(3) ORGANIC AND NATURAL FARMING : To promote organic and natural farming in a way that benefits farmers and consumers. To encourage excellence in organic farming and agricultural produce through support to the farming community. To promote the distribution and sale of organic foods. To promote protection of indigenous food varieties and protect farmers rights.
(4) ANIMAL WELFARE : To promote animal welfare, animal care and to help stop the cruelty towards animals. To promote protection of wildlife diversity, to help create awareness about importance of different animals in the environment and the direct or indirect benefits to human being. To help understand people about impact on wildlife as a result of environmental damages caused by humans.
(5) POVERTY ALLEVIATION: To help towards poverty alleviation and to help achieve overall upliftment of masses by way of education, vocational training, health awareness and hygiene awareness. To promote skill development services, trainings and support for skill development especially for rural and urban poor. To promote training on green enterprise development for rural and urban poor and to help them to create and run their own green enterprises and businesses.
(6) INDIVIDUAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH: To help people to understand the importance of holistic health practices and hygiene. To promote education and training of masses with alternative therapies, yoga and similar preventive & corrective health care practices. To promote naturopathy and promote herbal farms and herbal products. To promote spiritual mental and physical practices that help people heal holistically. To promote music, sports and physical activity as a medium to heal and empower people.
(7) DISABILITY: To promote awareness regarding issues faced by and to help differently abled people to develop skills to support livelihood and become self-reliant.
(8) INDIAN CULTURE: To promote and help protect ancient Indian culture and philosophy. To help people know the Indian culture, traditions, cuisines and clothing. To promote research and studies on Indian traditional wisdom. To promote festivals, events, rituals and literature that increases awareness about Indian culture. To protect and promote Indian arts and crafts, especially those related to rural communities and natural materials. To encourage hand-made craft traditions and promote this among the youth.
(9) EMPOWERMENT : To promote enable and empower smaller organizations to grow.
(10) RESEARCH: To promote research in areas which would help achieve above objectives.