The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the aegis of NITI Aayog, celebrated a significant milestone today with the formal recognition of its fourth cohort of Community Innovator Fellows (CIFs). The program has received enhanced backing from Capgemini India, a key partner supporting grassroots innovation across India. This collaboration empowers local innovators to develop creative, sustainable solutions that address specific community challenges.

As part of the launch, AIM kicked off a two-day intensive boot camp to provide the CIFs with the skills and knowledge required to scale their innovations. This initiative is in line with AIM’s broader goal of nurturing grassroots innovation and promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially in underserved regions of the country. The Atal Community Innovation Centers (ACIC) program, a key component of AIM, is focused on supporting innovators in unserved and underserved areas, driving progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The CIF program is a one-year, intensive initiative aimed at equipping aspiring innovators from diverse socio-economic backgrounds with the infrastructure, training, and mentorship needed to scale their ideas and build sustainable businesses. Each Fellow is hosted at an Atal Community Innovation Center, where they receive tailored training in entrepreneurship, SDG-focused solutions, and life skills to address their community’s unique challenges.

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of AIM, delivered the keynote address and praised the program’s role in empowering innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. “The Community Innovator Fellows are uniquely positioned to tackle community-level issues with relevant and sustainable solutions. This program aspires to create a model where innovation meets purpose, driving national progress through community-centric ideas,” he said, underscoring the importance of the initiative in solving critical local challenges.

Capgemini India, a global leader in consulting, technology services, and digital transformation, supports this cohort with INR 1 lakh grants for each of the 15 CIFs. These grants will enable the Fellows to scale their innovative solutions. The program is being implemented in collaboration with the SRF Foundation, which works alongside AIM and Capgemini to ensure the initiative’s success.

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The event also featured a speech by Dhanashree Page, Head of Operations for Digital Inclusion at Capgemini India, who highlighted the importance of partnerships in fostering local innovation. “The CIFs represent the hope and creativity of India’s grassroots innovators. By empowering these individuals, we are enabling scalable solutions that can drive sustainable change in communities,” she remarked.

Dr Suresh Reddy, Lead CSR & Director at SRF Foundation, spoke about the power of social entrepreneurship in addressing community issues. “Today’s event reflects the commitment and ingenuity of the CIFs. They are the brightest minds, using their innovation to solve critical local challenges,” he said, reaffirming the RF Foundation’s commitment to supporting transformative initiatives across India.

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