ESAF

What ESAF does

ESAF Society is a non-profit development organization founded in 1992 and headquartered in Thrissur, Kerala, India. It delivers a portfolio of community-development programs targeting women and children, tribal communities, small and marginal farmers, disaster-affected populations, and urban marginalized groups. Core programs span Education and Child Development (Balajyothi, Lahanti Community Schools, Child and Youth Resource Centre), Farm Sector Initiatives (FPO Capacity Building, Krushakmitras agri-entrepreneurs, Pashumitras dairy entrepreneurs, infrastructure and marketing support), Urban Initiatives (Livable Cities - India), Sustainable Tribal and Rural Development (bamboo and stone crafting in Jharkhand), Skill and Livelihood Development, Healthcare, Environment (Urja Bandhu clean energy entrepreneurship, Urja Kiran awareness, solar street lights), and Disaster Management (Suraksha-21, flood relief and rehabilitation). Underlying technology is largely community-driven rather than software-platform based, with field implementation by trained staff and volunteers, technology-enabled learning in tribal schools, and clean-energy product deployment (7.9 MW of solar capacity generating 1,15,34,000 units of electricity annually as of March 2024).

The organization operates across 10 Indian states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh) through 29 active projects, with documented impact of 5.57 lakh people directly benefited, 38,384+ farmers empowered, 3.36 lakh people reached through flood relief, and 3.12 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions reduced. It maintains strategic partnerships with ESAF Small Finance Bank (a related entity providing core CSR funding), GIZ (Germany), Opportunity International, Government of Kerala's Energy Management Centre, and Government of India's MSME Development Institute, among others. The Bank's MD & CEO and EVP actively participate in program execution.

ESAF's business model is non-commercial: it does not charge beneficiaries for programs, and revenue is generated entirely through donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and international donors, CSR partnerships (primarily via ESAF Small Finance Bank), and program-based funding from government agencies, international development organizations, and foundations. Programs are delivered free of cost through donations and CSR support. Distribution is direct via field staff and trained community workers; marketing relies on the organization's website, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), an online donation portal, and a Knowledge Hub of reports and publications.

Name

ESAF

Legal name

ESAF Society

Website

https://esafindia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ESAF Society is an India-based non-profit founded in 1992, operating community-development programs across 10 states in education, agriculture, clean energy, urban livability, tribal livelihoods, and disaster response. It serves marginalized women, children, tribal communities, small farmers, and disaster-affected populations free of cost through donations and CSR funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Rural livelihood initiatives
• Tribal development services
• Farmer capacity building
• Disaster relief programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Thrissur

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: ESAF generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporations, and international donors supporting its various development programs.
2. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Partnerships: ESAF Small Finance Bank provides CSR funding for various programs including healthcare infrastructure, disaster relief, and community development initiatives.
3. Program-based Funding: Funding from government agencies, international development organizations, and foundations for specific programmatic interventions in education, agriculture, environment, and tribal development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ESAF Society is a non-profit community development organization that delivers free social development programs to marginalized populations across 10 Indian states. Its offerings span education and child development (Balajyothi, Lahanti Community Schools), farm sector initiatives (FPO capacity building, agri-entrepreneurs), urban initiatives (Livable Cities), tribal and rural livelihoods (bamboo and stone crafting, dairy), clean energy and environment (Urja Bandhu, Urja Kiran, solar street lights), and disaster management (Suraksha-21 COVID campaign, flood relief). Programs are funded through donations, CSR grants, and program-based institutional funding rather than charged fees.

Product overview

ESAF is a non-profit development organization (ESAF Society) offering a comprehensive portfolio of social development programs rather than a technology product platform. The organization operates multiple interconnected programs: (1) Education & Child Development through Balajyothi and Lahanti Community Schools; (2) Agricultural Development via FPO capacity building, Krushakmitras, and infrastructure support; (3) Dairy Development through Pashumitras program; (4) Urban initiatives including Livable Cities - India; (5) Clean Energy through Urja Bandhu and Urja Kiran; (6) Tribal Development through livelihood programs in bamboo/stone crafting; and (7) Disaster Management including Suraksha-21 and flood relief. These programs work together to achieve holistic transformation of poor and marginalized communities across 10 states in India, with impact metrics including 5.57 lakh people directly benefited, 38,384+ farmers empowered, and 3.12 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions reduced.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Balajyothi Flagship child development program focusing on holistic development of children from marginalized communities through study centres, leadership camps, and personality development activities.
• Lahanti Community Schools Community-based primary education schools within tribal communities in Jharkhand, using a special syllabus designed for tribal learners with technology-based methods.
• Livable Cities - India Advocacy project for livable and inclusive cities across 8 Indian cities (Guwahati, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Cochin, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram), driving policy changes for inclusive public spaces.
• Urja Bandhu (Urjabandhu) Village-level entrepreneurship program training local youth and electricians in solar energy products and clean energy solutions. As of March 2024, Urjabandhus had implemented 7.9 MW of solar power plants generating 1,15,34,000 units of electricity annually.
• Urja Kiran Energy conservation awareness campaign run jointly with the Centre for Development and Energy Management Centre, Government of Kerala; recognized with the Excellence Award 2019.
• Pashumitras (Dairy Entrepreneurs) Professional AI technicians providing dairy-based services at farmers' doorsteps, including AI services, milk collections, feed and nutrition supply, and banking services. 69 Pashumitras trained in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, averaging Rs. 15,000 per month.
• Krushakmitras (Agri Entrepreneurs) Local agri-based entrepreneurs trained to support farmers and FPOs in improving farm productivity through training, knowledge, and resources, including input supply, sapling nursery, and product aggregation. 78 Krushakmitras trained, averaging Rs. 10,000 per month.
• Suraksha-21 COVID-19 response campaign conducting vaccination camps across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, including the GOTRA SURAKSHA special drive for tribal communities, facilitating nearly 8 lakh vaccinations.
• Urban Farming in Educational Institutions Technical support to the Department of Education for implementing urban farming in schools through Urban Farming Clubs comprising teachers and volunteer students, supplied with vegetable seeds, manures, bio-fertilizers, and equipment.
• FPO Capacity Building Training programs for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) covering institution building, good agriculture practices, climate smart agriculture, and marketing/business development, with over 12,000 farmers trained annually.
• Infrastructure and Marketing Support Establishment of collection centres (milk, vegetables, flowers, grains), value addition machinery (dhal processing, feed mixer units, bulk milk chillers), solar driers, input shops, cold storage, and solar irrigation systems for farmer collectives.
• Child and Youth Resource Centre (CYRC) Physical, social and psychological development of children through sports and creative activities, in partnership with Don Bosco College Mannuthy, including summer camps, art and sports coaching, child guidance clinics, and tournament participation.
• Tribal Development - Bamboo & Stone Crafting Livelihood development program through bamboo crafting, stone crafting, and garment production across 16 districts of Jharkhand, impacting thousands of tribal families within 5 years.
• Solar Street Lights Project Installation of solar-powered street lights in flood-affected villages, particularly in Idukki district Kerala, in partnership with Philip Lights, implemented in 10 villages for uninterrupted lighting during power failures.
• Solar Lighting - Majuli Island Solar lamp distribution to Bakelimobherguri village on Majuli island, Assam (India's largest river island), bringing electricity to families without access to power infrastructure.
• Flood Relief & Rehabilitation Disaster response program supporting nearly 2 lakh families over the last 4 years with ESAF Small Finance Bank CSR support, including interventions during Kerala floods 2018 and 2019 Assam floods.
• Clean Energy Product Promotion Climate action initiative promoting micro-energy products including solar lanterns, energy-efficient cookstoves, water purifiers, and technical assistance for rooftop solar, plus a piloted 500kg solar rice dehuller.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.57 Lakh people directly benefited
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• Mysuru City CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration under the Sustainable Urban Mobility-Air Quality initiative for organizing Mysuru Cycle Day events promoting sustainable mobility and cleaner air in Indian cities.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development organization collaborating with ESAF on Sustainable Urban Mobility-Air Quality initiative, working with Mysuru City Corporation for urban sustainability projects.
• Philip LightsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for implementation of solar-powered street light projects in flood-affected Idukki district villages, providing disaster relief through clean energy solutions.
• Don Bosco College, MannuthyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for implementing the Child and Youth Resource Centre (CYRC) focusing on physical, social and psychological development of children through sports and creative activities.
• Opportunity InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO partnership for Suraksha-21 COVID response campaign, conducting vaccination camps across multiple Indian states and facilitating nearly 8 lakh people to get vaccinated.
• Government of India's MSME Development InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for Urja Bandhu entrepreneurship training programme in solar energy products, providing certification and skill development for local entrepreneurs.
• Centre for Development and Energy Management CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Kerala body partnered for Urja Kiran energy conservation awareness campaign, recognized with Excellence Award for 2016-2019 performance.
• KVKs, MABIF, TABIFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural knowledge partners for farmer capacity building programs, organizing buyer-seller meets, exhibitions and market linkage events.
• Gram Vikas and CMIDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership for Bandhu helpline serving migrant workers in Kerala, providing food, shelter, medical assistance in 5 languages.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/esafsociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/esafsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esafsociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/esafsociety

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESAF