SBI Youth for India

Model
PRESENTED TO : DR. SURINDER SIR
PRESENTED BY :
CHANDRA PRAKASH JOHARI 22GSOB2011069
DEEP RAJ 22GSOB2010173
AMIT KUMAR PANDEY 22GSOB2010789
ASHISH VERMA 22GSOB2010775
AYUSH KRISHAN 22GSOB2010500
 INTRODUCTION OF CASE
• The State Bank of India (SBI) initiated the SBI Youth for India (YFI) rural
fellowship program in 2010 to address the rural-urban divide in India.
Unlike previous volunteer models, YFI utilized local citizens, making it
more effective in heterogeneous countries like India. YFI aimed to
improve health and education in rural communities and was resource-thin
yet impact-heavy. Challenges in its initial years included scalability and
replication in other developing countries. Scaling up the program requires
innovative strategies tailored to diverse cultural and linguistic landscapes.
 Existing Volunteer Models:

1.Peace Corps:
•Established by the U.S. government in 1961.
•Volunteers, usually college graduates, serve abroad for two years.
•Engage in social and economic development across various sectors like agriculture, education, and health.
•Aim to create a positive image of the U.S. abroad.
•Volunteers benefit from personal and professional development.
2.Challenges in Replication:
•Difficult to replicate in developing countries due to the lack of value for social service experience by local
employers.
•Encouraging young people in developing countries to leave well-paid career jobs for unpaid social service is
challenging.
3.Other Volunteer Models:
•Various volunteer models exist globally but may not be easily replicable due to local context and challenges.
•Exhibit 1B provides examples of other volunteer models from around the world.
 SBI Youth for India (YFI) Program Overview
• Unique Model:
• Created by State Bank of India (SBI) to engage urban youth in rural development.
• Targeted already employed young professionals for a 13-month volunteering period.
• Focused on sustainable initiatives in education, health, and economic development.
• Challenges and Solutions:
• Initial success followed by challenges in sustaining and replicating the model.
• Key challenges included participant selection, minimal attrition, impactful project identification, and effective NGO
partnerships.
• Strict selection guidelines and supervision were essential for success.
• Program Evolution:
• Initiated by Ms. Geeta Varghese in 2007 to leverage urban youth for rural development.
• Overcame initial organizational hurdles to gain approval in 2010.
• Restarted by Arundhati Bhattacharya in 2014 after initial closure.
• Experienced significant growth and impact with subsequent batches and adaptations.
Program Structure:
Targeted educated young professionals aged 25-32.
Selection process involved case studies and interviews.
Fellows assigned to partner NGOs for project implementation in rural areas.
Continuous monitoring and support ensured project success and sustainability.
Post-Fellowship Impact:
Many Fellows continued involvement in the development sector.
Some converted project experiences into social enterprises.
Partner organizations praised the program's impact and scalability.
Integration with SBI Foundation:
YFI program brought under SBI Foundation in 2016 for streamlined CSR activities.
Geeta Varghese continued involvement until the selection of the fourth batch.
Future Prospects:
Program's success serves as a model for other corporates.
Partnerships and scalability crucial for wider adoption and impact in rural development
 CONCLUSION
Arundhati Bhattacharya's journey with the SBI Youth for India (YFI) program exemplifies the power of perseverance and
innovation in driving social change. Despite facing initial setbacks and skepticism within the organization, Arundhati's
unwavering belief in the program's potential led to its revival and subsequent success.

YFI's unique model of engaging urban youth in rural development has not only created tangible impacts in communities
but has also inspired similar initiatives worldwide. By leveraging partnerships with established NGOs and corporate
sponsors, YFI has demonstrated the effectiveness of combining professional expertise with grassroots engagement.
To scale up the program while maintaining its original vision, Arundhati should focus on three key strategies:

1.Institutionalization and Sustainability: Ensure that the program is integrated into the organizational framework,
possibly through the SBI Foundation, to guarantee long-term support and funding.

2.Replicability and Global Outreach: Share YFI's best practices and success stories to inspire other organizations and
countries to adopt similar models. Collaborate with international partners and leverage global platforms to promote YFI as
a benchmark for youth-led rural development.

3.Adaptation and Innovation: Continuously evolve the program to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
Encourage experimentation and innovation while staying true to the core principles of community engagement and
sustainable development.