Every year, Indian companies covered by the CSR law must spend a part of their profits on social causes. Many CSR teams struggle with the same three problems: finding projects that are real, making sure the impact lasts, and showing that impact to employees, customers and the board.
A street adopted by its own residents solves all three.
The CSR basics, in one minute
Under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company must spend on CSR if, in the previous financial year, it had a net worth above ₹500 crore, a turnover above ₹1,000 crore, or a net profit above ₹5 crore. It must spend at least 2% of its average net profit of the previous three years.
The activities allowed are listed in Schedule VII. They include, among others, sanitation and preventive health care (with contributions to the Swachh Bharat Kosh), environmental sustainability and ecological balance, and slum area development. Your CSR and legal team should confirm how a specific street project fits your company's CSR policy.
Why a resident-adopted street is a strong CSR project
- Proven demand. Before a company is invited, at least half the homes on the street have pledged. This is not a project imposed from outside.
- Co-funding. Residents and shops pay a share of the cost themselves. Your rupee works alongside theirs.
- Visible every day. Thousands of people walk the street. Your company's name goes on the street board.
- Lasting impact. Every MIB street has a care plan, so the result is still there at next year's review.
- Clear reporting. Before-and-after photos, the design, the ward application, the budget and progress updates.
- Employee volunteering. Teams can join the planting or mural day — one of the most popular volunteering formats.
Don't fund a clean-up drive. Fund a street that stays clean.— MIB Stories
How a CSR Match works with MIB
- Residents start a Street Pledge and reach the Green Light (half the homes).
- An MIB designer does the Street Audit and prepares the design and exact budget.
- MIB shares a short proposal with your CSR team: the street, the design, the budget, the residents' share, and the care plan.
- Your company matches a part of the budget, on a street of your choice — near your office, factory, store or customers.
Start with one street
Many companies start with a single street near their office as a pilot, then expand to a whole ward. If your company is planning next year's CSR, talk to us about a CSR Match.
Sources
Pictures on this page are illustrations and MIB design visions, not photographs of the places named.
