Statutory Section
Across our thematic areas, we have established comprehensive programs designed to amplify social impact through strategic collaboration with impact-driven NGOs and meaningful engagement from local community members. A distinguishing feature of our initiatives is the intentional focus on women as primary beneficiaries. This deliberate emphasis recognizes women's transformative influence as change agents whose empowerment creates ripple effects that address multiple social challenges simultaneously.
| Programme
Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Future® | NGO/Implementation Partners Bharat Cares, Social Network India, Times Foundation, Oral Health Promotion and Others |
Fueling our mission to spark a billion smiles, our flagship initiative Colgate Bright Smiles, BrightFutures® (BSBF) program has been making a transformative impact since 1990. Since its inception, BSBF has touched the lives of more than 185 million children across India. Through BSBF, we provide essential education on oral hygiene practices, tobacco risks and prevention, and the connection between nutrition and dental health.
BSBF takes a comprehensive approach by engaging students aged 6-15 in both rural and urban communities. The program delivers thorough educational content directly within school environments, making health knowledge accessible where children learn daily
BSBF adopts an innovative teaching methodology. It makes health education engaging through customized learning materials, dynamic interactive sessions, captivating animated content, knowledgetesting quizzes, and motivating competitions. This creative approach transforms important health lessons into enjoyable experiences that resonate with young learners and create lasting habits.
We collaborated with over 12 dentist-led organizations, bringing in professional expertise to deliver high-quality oral health education and screenings directly within communities. Our on-ground partners have ensured that stakeholder engagement is done by cascading oral health education in communities that we work in to make this program more sustainable by fostering grassroots-level engagement.
Collaborations with the Governments of Goa and Uttar Pradesh helped integrate BSBF within state-led education and health frameworks, allowing us to reach more children in underserved areas. These collective efforts have significantly strengthened our program's ability to deliver consistent, scalable, and community-rooted impact.
Before BSBF, I didn’t think much about oral hygiene. Now I brush correctly and teach my family too. I want strong, healthy teeth so I can always smile without pain.
At a recent ParentTeacher Meeting, a parent shared how their child started brushing twice daily after receiving a dental kit — and even inspired the whole family. It’s inspiring to see our students become change-makers.
I used to worry seeing kids buy gutka and cigarettes. As a Colgate BSBF Trainer, I now teach them about oral hygiene and tobacco risks. When they call me 'Captain Colgate' and say they brush daily and educate their families, I know I’m making a real impact.
I didn't know brushing twice a day was so important until the Colgate team came to our school. They showed us the right way to brush and even gave us fun tips to keep our teeth clean. Now, I tell my little brother and parents what I learned too. I want to become a dentist one day!
The BSBF program fosters healthier smiles, promoting good oral habits among students to enhance their well-being and inspire their families and communities. Also, the program's awareness on tobacco sensitization is equipping children with the knowledge to make healthier choices. This initiative is laying the foundation for lifelong oral health, empowering them beyond the classroom
When Captain Colgate came to our school for the BSBF program, he taught us how bad tobacco is for you. My uncle uses tobacco, and I was worried about him. So, I told him everything I learned! We both took the 'Pledge to Protect.' I promised never to use tobacco, and he said he'd quit. It made me really happy that we could help my uncle get healthier.
The educational landscape in India faces a critical
challenge, as countless academically gifted students
are compelled to abandon their formal education
owing to financial constraints. With a high school
dropout ratio of 73% according to the Gross Enrollment
Ratio (GER), the declining enrollment at secondary and
higher education levels demands urgent intervention.
To address this crisis, we launched the Colgate Keep
India Smiling Scholarship Program in 2019.
This program focuses on supporting meritorious
students from underserved communities and those
facing hardships like the loss of primary family earners
or critical illnesses.
The initiative stands out for its holistic approach, providing support in multiple domains: Financial assistance for Dentistry, Engineering, Sports and more
Comprehensive upskilling via innovative Learning Management System that focuses on personality development, language skill enhancement, career guidance and more
To date, more than 7,300 scholarships have been awarded, ensuring continuity in students' education journeys and serving as a catalyst for their personal and professional aspirations.
By combining financial aid with skill development, the program ensures students can continue their education despite challenges, equipping them with the tools for long-term success and improved employability.
A BDS student at Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Rithika is preparing for her NEET PG Exam. She aspires to open an affordable dental clinic for underserved communities in the rural belt of Karnataka, who have zero access to dental care.
A first-year MDS student at College of Dental Science & Research Center, Ahmedabad, Meera is pursuing her specialization in Oral Medicine and Radiology. Her rural internship experiences inspired her commitment to public health, and she aims to bridge the gap in oral health awareness.
A Civil Engineering student at Muthoot Institute of Technology & Science, Sreelakshmi aspires to join the Indian Engineering Services. She is passionate about community service and industry internships. With a heart for service and a mind for engineering, she is working to build a better India through her skills.
Recognized as a security expert by Tata Play, Practo and others, Vedant now interns at Employee Forums and has landed a Security Analyst role at Accenture. As he pursues his CEH certification, Vedant also dedicates time to teaching underprivileged students, all while striving to bolster digital security for many
A B.Tech IT student at Sri Vishnu Engineering College for Women, Geethanjali is also a dedicated Kho Kho player. She dreams of excelling as a Software Developer at a top MNC while continuing to pursue her passion for sports. Balancing academics and athletics, she is determined to break barriers and build a future where both dreams thrive
Shalu is a B.Tech student in Computer Science at Oriental College of Technology, Bhopal, with a strong passion for leveraging data to address real-world challenges. Beyond her academic endeavors, she is dedicated to empowering young girls in her community by fostering their interest in STEM education.
| Initiatives Financial and Digital Literacy for Women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) |
NGO/Implementation Partners Seva Mandir and Haqdarshak |
Engagement with the community to ensure financial and digital literacy sessions are conducted at village level to cover maximum women and PwDs. The curriculum focuses on money management, fraud prevention, and leveraging opportunities for longterm well-being.
At its core are Colgate Digital Sakhis: local women trained to deliver practical digital and financial education, and to assist others in accessing government schemes.
To deepen outreach, Yojana Kendras, physical learning hubs, have been established as centers for training, welfare scheme facilitation, and community engagement.
The program aims to uplift the communities by providing them end-to-end support on government scheme linkages. These government schemes empower families with financial well-being, medical support and other critical support.
Since 2021 the program has reached 5 states and 400+ villages, trained over 360+ Colgate Smile Sakhis, and empowered 1,37,000+ beneficiaries. By facilitating access to welfare schemes worth ₹ 180 crore, the initiative is unlocking inclusive growth and long-term resilience in underserved communities.
This initiative marks a vital step in enabling underserved communities, particularly women and PwDs, to participate confidently in the digital economy and build brighter, more secure futures.
In many parts of rural India, life-changing government schemes remain out of reach – not due to unavailability, but due to lack of awareness and access. Colgate's financial and digital literacy initiatives are bridging this gap. By educating and guiding individuals to access schemes related to health, housing, and income, these programs are unlocking new possibilities for families and communities. From critical surgeries to safe homes and community leadership, the ripple effects of awareness are transforming lives across the country.
Sapna, a farmer from Village Bandh, Solan, worked hard to provide for her family while her husband served as a home guard. With two kids in school, money was always tight. When Colgate Digital Sakhi Pooja introduced her to the PM-Kisan scheme and helped with the paperwork, Sapna finally received vital financial support. This has now brought real relief and hope to her family.
In Zamp village, Ahmedabad, Raval
Babubhai Shivabhai lived in a crumbling
home, fearing for his family’s safety. Hope
arrived through Colgate's on-ground
teams, who helped him apply for the
Pandit Deendayal Awas Yojana. With
J 1,20,000 in housing support, Raval
rebuilt his home into a safe, stable haven.
The transformation brought peace of
mind and underscored the power of
timely support and community
intervention.
Water and waste management are pivotal to community well-being and quality of life. As a responsible organization, we focus on water conservation, ensuring access to safe drinking water, and addressing the growing challenge of water scarcity. Simultaneously, we champion sustainable waste management practices that contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.
We recognize that long-term social change requires strong collaborations and partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental organizations, ensuring that our efforts create lasting, widespread impact.
The rural landscapes of Sanand in Gujarat, and Kundaim in Goa, face formidable challenges in managing dry and plastic waste. Inadequate access to organized waste collection systems, lack of recycling infrastructure, and insufficient awareness around sustainable disposal practices have led to environmentally damaging habits such as open burning, uncontrolled landfilling, littering, and dumping in water bodies. These actions not only accelerate environmental degradation but also threaten the health and well-being of local communities.
As an FMCG leader, we believe in going beyond optimizing our own production footprint. It is equally our responsibility to foster informed consumption habits among our consumers and empower communities to manage their waste better. In partnership with Nepra Foundation, we launched an integrated waste management program spanning 25 villages across Gujarat and Goa. This initiative aligns with India's Swachh Bharat Mission and reaffirms our commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
In 2023, extensive local need assessments conducted across both regions further underlined three pressing challenges:
To date, the program has created 100 green jobs, with 1,33,000+ kg of dry waste collected, 90,000+ kg of carbon emissions diverted, 10,18,000+ KwH energy saved and over 1,43,900 beneficiaries. Equipping local communities with the knowledge and tools for sustainable waste management instills a strong sense of ownership and responsibility, paving the way for the program's long-term success.
In rural India, while waste management is an environmental issue it is also an opportunity for community empowerment and economic transformation. Colgate's Rural Waste Management Program, in partnership with the Nepra Foundation empowers local champions to drive grassroots change through education and structured waste collection systems. With sustainable waste management, individuals are creating a positive ripple effect, driving cleaner, healthier communities and opening doors to new economic opportunities.
At Iyava Prathamik Shala, Principal Suman Naik embraced education and sustainability to uplift her village. Inspired by Colgate’s waste management sessions, she added regular cleanup activities to the school curriculum. Students led cleanliness drives with teachers as role models. The movement spread beyond the school, inspiring local women to adopt eco-friendly habits and build a cleaner, more conscious community.
Samuben’s shift from uncertain farm work to a stable role as a Safai Saathi through Colgate’s waste management program has been life-changing. With a steady income, she now supports her family and invests back into agriculture. Her journey highlights how sustainability can bring dignity, personal growth, and inspire community transformation.
In FY 2017-18, we partnered with Seva Mandir to conduct a feasibility study in Udaipur, Rajasthan, focusing on the socio-economic challenges in nine tribal villages, particularly those faced by women. This assessment uncovered critical issues impacting the communities' well-being. Using these insights, Colgate launched a transformative program aimed at long-term socio-economic empowerment through initiatives like forming women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), capacity-building for financial literacy, and improving water infrastructure.
A key achievement was the successful water augmentation efforts, including restoring water sources, constructing water tanks, providing safe drinking water and supporting agriculture. This enhanced water availability allowed villagers to diversify crops beyond monocropping, significantly increasing incomes. Additionally, as water access improved, women gained time for work and family.
Our approach goes beyond infrastructure. It encompasses the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), skill-building workshops, and financial literacy sessions aimed at equipping women with tools for economic independence.
A key achievement has been the restoration of multiple anicuts and wells and the construction of new water tanks, improving access to clean drinking water and irrigation. With water now available for longer durations, communities have successfully transitioned from single-crop agriculture to multi-cropping practices, resulting in increased yield and income.
Moreover, by reducing the time women spend on water collection, the program has helped free up their time allowing them to pursue income-generating activities, invest in their families, and participate more actively in community development.
Over the years, the program has reached over 150 villages, positively impacting 125,000+ individuals and empowering more than 2,600 women through SHG and livelihood initiatives. To date, it has successfully repurposed 430 million liters of water, contributing to long-term water security and community resilience.
Additionally, the program is in line with the nationwide drives like JalShakti and Jal Jeevan Mission strengthening the program's impact and contributing to broader goals of water security and sustainable development.
Across rural Rajasthan, access to water and sustainable livelihoods has long been a challenge, particularly for women, who shoulder the dual burden of household responsibilities and income generation. In partnership with Seva Mandir, Colgate's holistic development programs such as water augmentation that brings clean, safe drinking water closer to home or livelihood initiatives that nurture agricultural innovation, uplift women and entire communities. Through these efforts, access, opportunity, and empowerment go hand in hand to build a better tomorrow.
In Rajasthan, women like Kalki are transforming lives through marigold farming. With support from Colgate’s Livelihood Program and Self-Help Groups, Kalki embraced entrepreneurship and earned J 16,500 from her first harvest. Her success boosted her confidence, inspired others, and showed how guidance and opportunity can drive personal and community growth.
In her village, Janaki’s daily routine included tiring, kilometer-long walks for water repeated despite safety concerns. Colgate's installation of a chlorinated water tank nearby transformed her daily life, saving time and reducing health risks. Her story shows how effective solutions can ease women’s workloads and improve community well-being.
Colgate-Palmolive (India) continued to strengthen its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by empowering employees to actively participate in volunteering activities aligned with our core values. We offer diverse opportunities for employees to share their skills, dedicate time, or simply spread kindness, demonstrating our commitment to giving back to communities. The enthusiastic participation of our employees underscores their dedication to making a meaningful impact.
Our volunteering efforts focus on three key areas - oral health education for children, education, and environmental sustainability - reflecting our belief in focused, sustainable impact. From conducting oral health sessions and supporting education through library setups and donation drives, to environmental initiatives like tree plantations and beach clean-ups, our employees actively contribute to community enrichment while embodying compassion and a spirit of giving.
Through our volunteer endeavors promoting education and oral health, we empower the next generation and advance Colgate India's mission to positively impact communities and build a better future.
