Lives Livelihoods Liberty
a non-profit initiative
Empower Tamizhagam [ET India] and Economic Business Development, Inc. [EBD USA] are certified non-profits. We operate mainly in Tamil Nadu (India) and the United States. Our mission-critical efforts span Livelihoods, Economic Development, Research, Poverty, and Disaster Relief. We deliver a 10x impact on your contributions.
IMPACT
ACCESS GOVT Benefits
We fast-track benefits from the Govt of Tamil Nadu & India programs. Assisting the poor, underserved and small businesses (+NGO initiatives) plus subsidies, grants, entitlements, and support. Our field teams engage at the village level.
DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Disaster & flood relief, especially during the monsoons in Tamil Nadu and India. Support through immediate relief of food, meds, clothing, and shelter. Enable awareness, distribution and extend government efforts through our field networks.
thought
THE BEST IDEAS
The best ideas, innovations and knowledge. Increasing transparency and access to government programs. Providing support for government officials in conceiving and implementing schemes – at the local, state and central level. Engaging students through internship opportunities. Frugal innovation.
KNOWLEDGE WORKS
Our insightful research ensures awareness and simplification of access to government programs. The results, surveys and our networks are shared with partner NGOs and the development community. Please join and help enhance our KnowledgeWorks sessions.
CSR PARTNERS
Partner with visionary companies and entities. Have you covered your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requirements? We can ensure high quality, well-verified CSR MCA-compliant projects. And goodies for development agencies. We are certified under MCA CSR: CSR00009415
ACTION
SMART execution
Clear goals and a plan of action - both reasonable and unreasonable. Impatience is a virtue in getting things done. The right resources including volunteers and our networks in the government. Main focus on Tamil Nadu state, Chennai and Cuddalore.
state & central GOVTS
Increase investments, employment and economic development. This is for state & state governments and departments in India. Build an awesome Ease of Doing Business environment. Public policy research.
DONATE
The best ideas in the world fixing real problems in India. A 10x impact multiplier on all your contributions. Our operation is very lean, with our board and advisors functioning on a voluntary basis. Empower Tamizhagam (India) and Economic Business Development (USA) are sister non-profits working closely. Change the world with your donation today…
INDIA RUPEE DONATION
Empower Tamizhagam
INR donations 50% tax deductible 80G India
ET Certifications: 80G 12A FCRA MCA-CSR
No cancellations or refunds, regrettably.
US DOLLAR DONATION
INSTITUTIONAL DONORS
We heartily welcome grants, donations, CSR, sponsorships, partnerships and projects. We would love to get volunteers, mentors and advisors too.
Companies, governments, institutions, organizations, and development agencies are cordially invited.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): High quality, validated projects in India. ET is certified under MCA CSR: CSR00009415.
We offer research services including public policy, data reports, surveys, monitoring and evaluation. Our crack team stands ready...
ABOUT ET
ABOUT ET
Empower Tamizhagam (ET) is an India-based public charitable non-profit organization based in Chennai, India.
PHILOSOPHY:
Action is its own reward. Identify the best ideas in the world and execute promptly. Empowering lives begins with livelihoods and a sense of community ownership.
OBJECTIVES:
- Promote economic development and jobs in Tamil Nadu and India.
- Ensure impact through outcome-based public policy,
- Provide relief across disaster recovery, student aid, and urgent needs.
- Empower the poor, and save the environment.
Engage with us…
TAX DEDUCTIONS:
Empower Tamizhagam has been duly granted approval and registration by the Government of India as a 12A tax-exempt NGO. Donors from India are eligible for 50% tax exemption for financial contributions under Section 80G, Govt of India.
ET REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATIONS:
- MCA CSR: CSR00009415
- 80G URN: AAATE4379GF20218
- 12A URN: AAATE4379GE20210
- FCRA: 0200002002020
Do join us…
leadership
Served as Tamil Nadu State Cabinet Minister. Recipient of Government Perarignar Anna and Periyar awards for contributions to society and poverty alleviation. Addressed the United Nations on the tragedy of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Deeply involved with India rural empowerment, e-governance, policy analysis, poverty relief, start-ups, livelihood, and health. He teaches and speaks extensively on these topics at conferences. His public policy interventions span India and the US.
Expertise in health care, supply chain and manufacturing in India and the US. Focus includes Automotive, Supply Chain, Operations, Project Management, P&L, Corporate Strategy, M&A. Roles include Dr Agarwal’s, OptoCircuits, Tejas Networks in India; and Sud-Chemie, Thermotech, and Keytronic in the US.
Decades of grass-roots experience with farming and agri markets. A farmer based in Cuddalore district (Tamil Nadu, India) hailing from a traditional agricultural family. ET involvement from its inception, ensuring optimal benefit to farmers and rural segments.
the team
Our ecosystem comprises veteran statesmen, philanthropists, industrialists, civic activists, govt officials and global professionals who share a passion for community service. Our organizational affiliates:
- Government of India
- Government of Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu Disaster Relief Dept
- Tamil Nadu Dept of Rural Development
- Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department
- World Bank
- Cuddalore District Collectorate (India)
- Nykaa
- Kay Beauty by Katrina Kaif
- FERAS RECT
- Revolution by Design
Do join the cause…
Contributors among many many more…
- Katrina Kaif
- Reena Chhabra
- Rajat Khurana
- Ravnish Bhalla
- Sriman R
- Karthika V
- Prasanna Raghav
- Deepti Z
- Ashish Narvekar
- Vivek Sardana
- Vanessa Peter
- Karuna K
- Chandra Kumar
- Sandeep V
- Krish Mohan
- School Teachers
- Bhagwan Rao
- Vivek Sharma
- Kiran Rao
- Anbarasan K
- Periyasamy V
- Aliza K
- Julie P
- P Kuppusamy
- Lynn D
- Sravya G
- Jose Fredric
- Saranya L
- Geetha S
- Murugan L
- P Kumaravel
- Social Workers
Please join us…
ABOUT EBD
ABOUT EBD
- Economic Business Development, Inc. (EBD) was created in 2000.
- Initiated and funded by the US Department of Commerce.
- Vision to enable livelihoods and economic development.
- Core efforts span Poverty Relief, Livelihoods - across India and the US.
- Helping underserved and marginalized communities.
- A state-of-the art business incubator in Southern California.
- EBD is a non-profit California Corporation.
- Tax-exempt status under 501(c)3.
- US Federal Tax ID: 33-0920200.
- Economic Business Development, Inc. (EBD) was created in 2000.
- Initiated and funded by the US Department of Commerce.
- Vision to enable livelihoods and economic development.
- Core efforts span Poverty Relief, Livelihoods - across India and the US.
- Helping underserved and marginalized communities.
- A state-of-the art business incubator in Southern California.
- EBD is a non-profit California Corporation.
- Tax-exempt status under 501(c)3.
- US Federal Tax ID: 33-0920200.
EBD ACTIVITIES
- Promoting relationships between India and the US.
- Missions to India for economic development.
- Small business advocacy along with banks, utilities and the community.
- Corporate procurement, small business loans, assistance & training.
- Entrepreneurship education with the University of Southern California.
- Partners span diversity business organizations and chambers of commerce.
- Organized the India Trade Conference partnering with Port of Los Angeles, US Commercial Service, TIE, USC and community organizations.
- Promoting relationships between India and the US.
- Missions to India for economic development.
- Small business advocacy along with banks, utilities and the community.
- Corporate procurement, small business loans, assistance & training.
- Entrepreneurship education with the University of Southern California.
- Partners span diversity business organizations and chambers of commerce.
- Organized the India Trade Conference partnering with Port of Los Angeles, US Commercial Service, TIE, USC and community organizations.
INITIATIVES
livelihood & econ dev
We believe enhancing sustainable livelihoods ecosystem and capacity building are key steps towards reduction of poverty in India.
The focus is on employment generation, fostering small businesses and other community based impact projects.
The United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) reports that about 16% of the Indian population, or 234 million people, live in poverty.
Through our LED (Livelihood and Economic Development) program:
- Ensure Ease of Doing Business for start-ups, small business and enterprises entering Tamil Nadu and India.
- Tamil Nadu Guidance Bureau – Global Investors Meet. Help international companies establish presence in TN, India.
- Promote MSMEs and improve their access to finance and markets. Incubate and support entrepreneurship and self-employment including opportunities for women and the underserved.
- Optimize skill development to increase relevance and employment. Channel govt resources for livelihood projects.
- Community and farming enhancement programs to generate employment.
Efforts:
- Facilitated engagement with businesses, and part of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Delegation to the United States.
- Industry and investment efforts included electric vehicles, tech, and water management.
- Last-Mile Rural Development and MGNREGA Scheme intervention, and facilitation efforts.
- Assisting farmers of Panruti and Cuddalore District with industry opportunities from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid [CSNL] and cashew apple.
- Improving sustainable livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers, women, businesses etc
- Eco-tourism in Cuddalore – tourism in Pichavaram mangrove forest area and opportunities for artisans, and farmers.
Research analysis POLICY
We have a deep understanding of local legislative and regulatory policy issues. Our public policy initiatives are broad, forward-thinking, and driven by what is best for citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
ET-Impact works with key legislators, government officials, corporates, and civil society groups worldwide to support sustainable livelihood programs.
TOP 5 IMPACT ACTIONS
1. Access to Govt Programs
- Building awareness among the poor through our teams and online channels.
- Determining beneficiary eligibility for schemes through our Policy Access Platform
- Enabling clarity and process in accessing benefits. Beneficiaries span women, farmers, small business, unemployed and youth.
- Simplifying processes for easier access to government of India and
state-level schemes. - Guiding beneficiaries to the right government
officials & departments. - Conducting field camps along with relevant
decision makers to fast-track beneficiary registration and approvals.
- Helping small businesses, entrepreneurs and farmers access loans,
subsidies and financing. - Ensuring Ease of Business by minimizing
regulatory compliance requirements. - Enabling small businesses to avail
of targeted programs and opportunities. - Building an ecosystem
facilitating more jobs for all.
- Providing support for government officials in conceiving and
implementing schemes at the local, state and central level. - Reducing red
tape and encouraging single window processes for faster, easier access
to funds/benefits. - Adopting & adapting successful global policy initiatives.
- Identifying and implementing the best innovations, technology and
know-how. - Our KnowledgeWorks sessions determine the optimal approach and
acceptance strategies in partnership with developmental agencies, think
tanks, academia and experts. - Frugal innovations across poverty
alleviation, farmers and the underserved.
Our engagement in public policy spans decades with effective design, resolution and impact. Efforts include dialogue, policy changes and institutional transformation across Livelihood, Education, Sustainability, Small Businesses and eGovernance.
- Public policy research, dedicated to in-depth assessment and scientific analysis with the objective of delivering actionable ideas that could transform rural and urban India.
- Third party assessment and high-quality evidence-based research for international agencies with practical and innovative interventions in policy decision-making.
- ET also provides Global Internship/Volunteering programs. Our team consists of individuals who thrive on big challenges, think laterally to solve grassroots issues. All with the human condition in mind.
Over 10x Impact Multiplier From Donations.
You read that right, through our RAP initiatives we foster over 10x outcomes from donations. We deliver scale by unlocking the massive power of public funds, partner NGOs and leveraging the best ideas in the world. A mix of direct assistance, ecosystem enhancement and capacity building are keys to scalable outcomes.
Citizen access to benefits
Governments in India (both centre & state) and NGOs offer multiple programs, grants, support and subsidies. Regrettably, these often go unclaimed due to lack of guidance and awareness among the underserved.
The poor and uneducated are mostly unaware of the benefits they are entitled to. There exists a wide gap between policy design, implementation and access.
There exists a wide gap between policy design, implementation and access.
- To aid over 200,000 rural poor, differently-abled, women and children in Tamil Nadu, India.
- Extend CAB services throughout Tamil Nadu state so the majority of the underserved can access welfare benefits and improve their livelihood.
- Exponentially increase the number of people who will benefit from the program.
- Share our govt program information platform across India.
Citizen Access to Benefits[CAB] tries to bridge this gap and ensure the poor and underserved get fast-track benefits.
- CAB teams engage at the ground level to guide farmers, women, and small businesses, by providing information about their rights and benefits.
- Farmer Livelihood ‘FarmX’ project – reducing costs, access to benefits, credit and markets.
- Any citizen can access eligible govt & non-govt entitlements – insurance, grants, startup funds, subsidies, scholarships, etc.
- CAB works with CSCs (Common Service Centers), government officials, and NGOs to streamline the process for the poor to get better access to benefits.
- Community programs and channeling govt efforts to generate employment, and addressing local issues.
Initiatives over the years:
- One-stop camp organised for the Differently-Abled in Kanchipuram district, TN, India. Based on eligibility – forms were filled, signed by respective govt departments and by the end of the day benefits were allotted. This would have otherwise been an elaborate task for the Differently-Abled and their families.
- Construction of public community hall to decrease the out-of-pocket expenditure of local communities (Tamil Nadu, India).
- Saved Cantonment slum settlement from Defence Colony demolition. Relocation assistance, and intervention with the military.
- ‘Help your Help’ program created awareness amongst employers to guide and pay for their employees with govt insurance schemes at nominal amounts.
DISASTER RELIEF
The southern state of Tamil Nadu (India) is prone to many natural disasters such as cyclones, storms, earthquakes, fires, floods and drought. Every year, cyclones ravage the area leading to loss of lives and livelihoods. We provide disaster assistance to other parts of India, as needed.
Over the years, Empower Tamizhagam has taken many proactive steps to decrease the impact of such natural calamities. ET-Impact assists through funding, communication, logistics, disaster management.
We leverage and focus the ability of local governments, corporates and NGOs to respond more quickly and resiliently to disasters.
How we function:
- Directly provide food, clothing and shelter through our field teams. Conduct mitigation and relief measures
- Operates
as an Information hub – coordinate with other NGOs, govt bodies,
welfare associations to deliver information and food supplies. - Provide transportation and logistics support to organisations and the government for delivery of relief materials.
- Broad assistance to the affected, the homeless and the poor.
Efforts:
- Provided over 10,000 meals through food / dry rations to families of migrants, day workers, widows, aged, children, differently-abled, slums etc.
- Delivered food and supplies to over 50 burn victims and domestic violence survivors (predominantly women) and family across greater Chennai City and vicinity – Over 5,000 meals.
- Distributed essential supply kits (Food, mask, sanitizers etc) to the front-line workers and poor.
- The cellular communications blackout was one of the biggest challenges during the devastating Chennai Floods in 2015. The Government, NGOs and civil society were unable to coordinate and deliver relief to the most affected people. ET-Impact worked with Airtel cellular network and the govt to ensure power/generators for cellular towers. This had a direct impact on thousands of lives at stake.
EMPOWER INDIA
To find out what is happening with our tax money and government decisions, a number of resources are available. Any queries that you may have with specific government departments are best addressed to the officials in question or the heads of departments. Where no response is forthcoming, a few options exist:
- Issues with the Government in India?
CP-GRAM Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System pgportal.gov.in/ - Figuring out what is happening with your file in a certain Govt of India department?
RTI: Right to Information Act. rti.gov.in/ - RTI Tamil Nadu State Government. www.tn.gov.in/rti/
Many subsidized and free services are made available for start-up ecosystems in India and Tamil Nadu.
Startup India by Government of India www.startupindia.gov.in
Collateral-Free Financing – Powered by Govt of India. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises up to Rs 2 Crore. www.cgtmse.in
In the public interest, our legal team is happy to assess issues, regulations and processes. In addition to governmental intervention, we also support small businesses, MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and NGOs.
We enable access to finance, recovery of funds from governments and the private sector. A number of legal and governmental options exist to ensure rights are protected and ease of doing business is increased. Any individual should be able to start a small business without arduous procedures and regulations.
New policies and stimuli have been announced by the Government of India, and the Government of Tamil Nadu. We enable access to these and help navigate the system. Any requests to the government may also be fast-tracked.
PUBLIC POLICY SUPPORT
While our experience spans the globe (including the US and India), our focus has been India and Tamil Nadu. Our mission is to serve the public interest by optimal use of our collective resources and infrastructure. We offer governments and development agencies assistance with the following:
- Policy design & outcome
- Evidence-based policy
- Monitoring & evaluation
- Data analysis & assessment
- The human element in policy
- Building awareness at the last mile
- eGovernance and tech ecosystems
- Revenue, expense and impact
- Macro & micro efforts including GOs
- Global networks (USA, India)
- Implementation in the field
- Industry and community engagement
- Funding for projects
- Fellowship program
The key to sustainable scalable change is to work with the government
on increasing awareness and optimizing policies for maximized outcome.
We engage with the Government of India along with state and local
governments. Essential are all the key stakeholders:
- Governments at central, state and local levels.
- NGOs, non-profits and development agencies.
- Corporates, institutions, and industry bodies.
- Citizens and groups.
- Co-operatives and rural entities.
- Public interest entities.
Please join us
in this effort. Also, in the works… communications and media outreach
leveraging evidence-based policy and building awareness among the citizenry.
CITIZEN ACTION NETWORK
Responsibilities:
- Help form and be an interface to CAN Local Committees
- Connect CAN Local Committees with project implementation bodies such as PWD, EB etc.
- Intervene with Principal Secretaries, Chennai Corporation, District Collectors, if implementation is not satisfactory based on feedback from CAN Local Committees.
- Ensure adequate budgets are allocated for projects from various departmental, constituency and Corporation funds, plus other sources.
- Raise unresolved issues in the TN State Assembly, Parliament and the media as appropriate.
- Bring the full influence of political, government, and media networks to address the concerns at hand including unsatisfactory project implementation
Each Local Committee has 2 to 5 members at the colony, block or building society level. CAN Local Committee will take an active role in improving their area’s facilities and infrastructure through effective management of public projects.
- Identify and prioritize the top needs in the neighbourhood: Roads, schools, education/teachers, drainage, water, employment, public safety, parks, playgrounds, electricity/transformers, lighting, healthcare, etc.
- Communicate to designated government official to make an implementation work plan and follow-up through periodic phone calls and personal meetings
- Monitor project implementation in progress to ensure satisfactory progress in terms of suitability of approach, quality and timeliness through periodic visits to site and with implementing body.
- Provide feedback on project implementation through phone calls and personal meetings with corporation bodies and government officials in-charge to report on satisfactory progress and quality. These would be facilitated by the elected officials of the CAN Local committee.
- Organize monthly CAN meetings and field visits to review local needs and project progress.
- Engage with other local organizations and corporates for volunteer support and funds if required.
Cleanliness Amenities
ET mobilized the power of design and some awesome folks – to ensure results!
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes as well as the treatment and proper disposal of sewage or wastewater.
Sanitation facilities in rural and semi-rural areas are a huge problem in India. Though there have been numerous programs initiated by the government, NGOs, and other socially active organizations, there has been low impact on the Below-Poverty-Line segment. And open defecation is still a sustaining issue, which is a root cause for various diseases. Awareness and efforts relating to the Government of India Swachh Bharat initiative, have been gaining momentum.
Sanitation in schools is a greater issue especially for budding women, as girls have feminine hygiene needs. They would need proper toilet facilities with privacy which are not available in most rural schools. This embarrassment causes girl students to skip schooling or worse, discontinue their studies – which in turn affects their education.
To address this essential need, the Cleanliness Amenities Program (CAP) has been established by Empower Tamizhagam.
An innovative girls restroom has been built at Iyyappanthangal Government Higher Secondary School, Chennai, India – to encourage
cleanliness and hygiene. This helps young girls face the world with much more confidence. This pilot project is intended to be a blueprint for wider scalability and replicability.
Sanitation, health and hygiene are basic needs of humanity especially among the female population. Empower Tamizhagam spearheaded this initiative joining hands with funding from FERAS an international group (from NIT-Trichy), with support from BeWo. Revolution by Design performed the overall design and building of the school toilets.
COVID RELIEF
We provide urgent ready-to-eat meals during disasters. In the aftermath, the more sustainable solution is to provide food kits that folks can cook at home. A family of 4 can eat for a week on $15 or Rs 1000. This has been our standard kit:
- Rice – 10 kg
- Dal/Lentils – 2 kg
- Oil – 1 litre
- Wheat – 1 kg
- Salt – 1/2 kg
- Chili powder – 100 gm
- Garlic+Ginger – 100 gm
- Onion – 2 kg
- Potato – 2 kg
- Sanitary napkin – 1
- Assorted vegetables
- Loaf of bread
COVID Mobilization:
- Provided ready-to-eat food to the poor and hungry.
- Supplied dry rations to the needy.
- Provided oxygen concentrators to save lives in 2021.
- Addressed essential needs of the poor and needy
- Target areas included Chennai, Cuddalore and Tamil Nadu (India).
- Target segments include migrant groups, seniors, shelters, slums.
- Provided masks, Personal Protective Equipment and essentials to front line workers.
- Work with the government in ensuring benefits are easily accessible to all.
- Funds to front-line folks for essentials and distribution.
- Engaging and empowering the NGO ecosystem.
- Fruits, vegetables & produce supplies to help farmers and citizens.
- Enabled access to essential new government initiatives.
- Ensured government policy changes to enhance public welfare.
- Rebuilding after COVID – Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship.
- Engaging and empowering the NGO ecosystem.
- Enable access to essential government initiatives.
- Ensure government policy enhances social and economic development.
NEWS
- Ease of Doing Business in India
- Leveraging AI for Development