PVR Nest, the CSR arm of cinema exhibition company PVR ltd, has announced the launch of its seeding programme — ‘ECO Grants — Incubating Youth Ideas’ — in partnership with PlAN International (India Chapter) and Centre for Youth (C4Y), seeking to address the burgeoning environmental challenges through citizen activation.
Earmarked for the young aged between 18-29 years, the programme encourages citizens’ participation by inviting applications for innovative green solutions. PVR Nest and Plan India will invest Rs 50 lakh in 10 projects for viable solutions in the five categories of Accessible Green Spaces, Air Pollution & Health Impacts, Sanitation & Hygiene, Waste Management and Water Security to be implemented with a focused approach in five cities: Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, Udaipur, lucknow and Dehradun.
Speaking on the occasion on Tuesday, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, said he was “fascinated” by this unique initiative that will generate many sustainable ideas and a huge movement among youth. “NITI Aayog will be happy to support the sustainable solutions that will come out of ECO Grants,” he maintained.
Australian High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu and actor Rahul Bose were among those who attended the launch.
Speaking on the role of C4Y and ECO Grants, Alka Tomar, Chairperson, Centre for Youth (C4Y), outlined how the project will not only fund youth ideas and solutions to environmental concerns but also provide a seminal platform for this very vibrant and important segment of our population.