Impact at a glance
Dalberg Assessment 2022
SF = Swades Foundation
HH= Household
study 2022
Founded by Ronnie & Zarina Screwvala, we operate with a single-minded focus of lifting 1 million rural Indians out of poverty every 5 years through community-driven change. We bring together the best global practices, corporate thinking /accountability and highest standards of corporate governance to create a model of sustainable development, which is an industry benchmark and replicable at scale.
Our USP is a 360° intervention inside-out model of development,with a multiplier effect. Our holistic approach covers all aspects of individual and community development through 4 key verticals – Health & Nutrition, Education, Water & Sanitation and Economic Development. Our strength is our strong team comprising 10,000+ community volunteers and 270+ full time staff(FTE specialists & professionals); 90% FTE work at the grassroots, making us a strong execution foundation.
In 11+ years, we have reached out to 3,540 hamlets across Raigad and Nashik districts of Maharashtra, with an estimated population of 11,82,797 (1.1 million) . Out of these 6,00,000+ (more than half a million) individuals have benefitted directly from one or more of our programmes. We are currently working in 7 blocks (Mahad, Mangaon, Mhasla, Poladpur, Shrivardhan, Tala & Sudhagad) of Raigad and 4 blocks of Nashik (Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar, Surgana & Peth). We have recently expanded into five new blocks across three districts - Jawhar and Mokhada in Palghar, Shahpur in Thane, and Akkalkuwa in Nandurbar apart from Kalwan and Dindori in Nashik. We have begun work in these regions and are currently in the initial phase of development interventions.
Districts
Blocks
Community Volunteers
Reached
Lives Impacted
Unique Interventions Delivered
SF = Swades Foundation
HH= Household
study 2022
Drinking Water Schemes (DWS) completed
Hamlets verified as ODF
Households supported with drinking water through taps
Lives impacted with DWS through taps
Household toilets built
Lives impacted through toilet facility
Lives impacted through toilet facility
Schools provided with WATSAN facilities
Swades Mitras created
Active Swades Mitras
Individuals screened by Swades Mitras for vision care
Screenings conducted by optometrists
Spectacles distributed
Cataract surgeries facilitated
Cataract surgeries facilitated
Children supported with assistive devices
Children with special needs (CWSN) surgeries
Village health camps organised
Individuals screened at village health camps
Cardiac care for children
Cardiac care for children
Schools reached
Anganwadis Reached
Students impacted
Excellence scholarships for professional courses
Mass scholarship (Grade XI & XII)
Schools provided with library support
Schools provided with library support
280 schools + 251 Anganwadis
Farmers trained for capacity building
Households supported with water for irrigation
Households supported with meat poultry
Dairy entrepreneurs created
Milch cattle supplied
Households engaged in goat rearing
Households engaged in goat rearing
Youth trained in skilling programme
Households supported with Drumstick Cultivation
Households supported with Mandap Cultivation
Households supported with Fishing nets
Women empowered across livelihood programmes
Plants distributed for horticulture
Women empowered across livelihood programmes
Plants distributed for horticulture
Updated as of March 2026.
Life is much better now with a toilet at home. We don’t have to go out at odd hours to avoid people. It is much safer and of course, more hygienic this way. It is truly life changing for the women in the communities and also the elderly. Monsoons were a particularly challenging time with the added fear of scorpions and snakes. But thanks to the toilets, rains will no longer bring dread, only joy."
Having a water tap at home saves us a lot of time and energy. Earlier mornings were mostly dedicated to bringing back pots of water on our heads. But not anymore. No more sore backs and sore necks from walking close to a kilometer every day. The first time that water poured out of the tap was a magical moment for all of us. We now have the opportunity to do a lot more with our time. We are very grateful for this gift of water."
I used to work at MIDC, from 7am to 7pm. But it got very tiring and my children asked me not to go because I would get sick very often. A Swades representative came home and persuaded me to raise goats. I started with two, and now we have 16 goats. They are now worth one lakh rupees, so I am lakhpati, so to speak! I am grateful for being introduced to goat rearing."
When we started our journey as a Swades Mitra, we were given a kit with medicines, a BP testing machine, and a few other instruments. We were trained on various topics such as vision care, maternity care, children's health, nutrition and vaccination enabling us to provide care for multiple health problems. It makes me very happy that I am able to serve my community."
I was able to pursue my studies till the 10th std, but my family didn't have the resources for me to continue after that. Fortunately I met someone from Swades Foundation at that time and they told me about the scholarship programme - thanks to which I have completed my Bachelors in Science. I am a proud graduate and very hopeful of a bright future where I can support my family."
