New Delhi, 08 October 2024.

The Coca-Cola India Foundation, Anandana, has been awarded the prestigious CSR Journal Excellence Award in the Environment Category for its flagship initiative, Project Jaldhara in partnership with a rural development NGO, S M Sehgal Foundation. The award was presented at the 7th CSR Journal Excellence Awards on 30th September 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, attended by dignitaries including Shri Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. This acknowledgment underscoresThe Coca-Cola India Foundation’s commitment to sustainable water management and its efforts to provide safe water access to communities. This initiative is a cornerstone of Coca-Cola India’s 2030 Water Security Strategy, aimed at increasing water security in areas where the company operates and sources ingredients.

As part of Project Jaldhara, water ATMs enabled by Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration units, and wastewater tanks have been installed across multiple villages in the Aurangabad district. These developments have provided hundreds of residents with safe drinking water and are also usedfor daily household use.

Speaking about the achievement, Rajesh Ayapilla, Senior Director-CSR and Sustainability for Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia (INSWA), said, "Weare honored to receive this award in the Environment Category, which validates our unwavering commitment to water stewardshipand community empowerment through Project Jaldhara. We are humbled the project is makinga real difference in the communities we serve.”

Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation, said, "Partnering with organizations like Coca-Cola India allows us to create meaningful, lasting change. This award is a testament to our shared commitment to providing safe water access and improving water security. By working closely with local communities, we are ensuring greater availability of water resources, which has positively impacted lives.”

Coca-Cola India through its foundation, has implemented over 150 community water conservation projects in many states across India, benefiting over 750 villages and touching the lives of more than 10 lakh people. The foundation has also built water ATMs, check dams, desilted water tanks, and rejuvenated ponds, significantly improving local water resources and combating drought and desertification.