Vacancies
National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
ESG SMART VILLAGE PROGRAMME
Rooted in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, this pilot programme brings together residents, local businesses, and community leaders to co-create practical, locally evolved solutions for a just and sustainable future.
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From reviving local water bodies, returning plastic waste to its source, to creating dignified green jobs, to powering homes and shops with solar energy - every change here is driven by the people who call these villages home. This page shares their stories, progress, and the collective vision for scaling the model to villages across India.
The ESG Smart Village programme is a pioneering initiative piloted in Tamil Nadu that reimagines rural development through the lens of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. It is not about technology alone, but about creating a model where communities lead the way in shaping sustainable, inclusive, and resilient futures.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, the pilot adopts a place-based, participatory approach, enabling residents, workers, local businesses, and governance institutions to co-create context-specific strategies. From promoting green jobs and reducing plastic waste to improving working conditions and recognising the dignity of sanitation work, the model focuses on actioning locally evolved solutions.
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This matters because villages are not only homes to millions but also the backbone of India’s future. If they are supported to transition into sustainable hubs with dignified livelihoods, access to clean resources, and accountable governance, the model can set the stage for scalable change across India — creating ripple effects for climate action, public health, and social equity.
Key components of the ESG Smart Village approach
