SKF India (Industrial) Limited, leading technology and solutions provider of bearings, condition monitoring, and services, today announced the launch of Gram Unnati, its flagship Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP) in Bavla, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, developed in partnership with implementation organization, Ambuja Foundation.

The three-year initiative will work across five villages - Baldana, Dahengamda, Kochariya, Bhayla and Zekda- with the goal of driving sustainable, measurable community development initiatives.

Designed as a comprehensive rural development programme, Gram Unnati aims to harvest more than 500,000 CuM of water, generate 1 MW+ renewable energy capacity, plant 10,000 indigenous trees, and enhance livelihood opportunities for over 1,000 households across the five villages over the next three years.

The launch was attended by government officials, SKF India (Industrial) leadership, and representatives from the Ambuja Foundation.

The initiative complements the Gujarat government’s expanding Van Kavach model under the Hariyali Lok Sabha initiative, which aims to cover 82 sites spanning 600 hectares across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar this year.

Commenting on the launch, Sujeeth Pai, Managing Director, SKF India (Industrial), said:

“At SKF, sustainability goes beyond our operations and extends to the communities around us. Gram Unnati reflects our belief that long-term progress is created when environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and community development advance together. Through this initiative, we aim to improve water security, strengthen education and livelihood opportunities, generate clean energy, and deliver income uplift for participating households, while building a scalable model for inclusive and sustainable rural development. By strengthening the grassroots, Gram Unnati supports India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat through more self-reliant and future-ready communities.”

Speaking on the partnership, Chandrakant Kumbhani, CEO, Ambuja Foundation said:

“The launch of Gram Unnati marks an important milestone in our partnership with SKF and reflects our shared commitment to creating sustainable, measurable and community-led rural transformation. Over the next three years, the initiative will work across five villages of Bavla Block of Ahmedabad district, taking an integrated approach to their overall development. SKF’s commitment enables us to combine Ambuja Foundation’s grassroots experience with ambitious, tangible outcomes in water harvesting, renewal energy, infrastructure, education, afforestation, and enhancing livelihood opportunities etc. Through Gram Unnati, our aim is not only to achieve these measurable results, but also to strengthen community institutions and local ownership, building villages that are more resilient, prosperous and self-reliant for the long term.”

Based on a needs assessment covering over 1,200 households, the programme addresses key challenges including water scarcity, limited livelihood opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and dependence on conventional energy sources. To address these challenges, Gram Unnati will implement watershed development projects, clean drinking water solutions, afforestation initiatives, solar and biogas energy systems, women-led entrepreneurship programmes, vocational skilling, farmer collectivisation, and education enhancement initiatives.

Over the next three years, the initiative will focus on strengthening water availability, expanding clean energy access, improving education outcomes, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, and restoring local ecosystems through community-led stewardship models.