TERI and CSR TIMES Forge Strategic Alliance via an MoU

TERI and CSR TIMES entered into a formal strategic partnership on January 6, 2026. This collaboration was solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, and Mr Harish Chandra, Publisher and Managing Editor of CSR TIMES. The agreement marks a transition from traditional philanthropy toward a robust, knowledge-driven CSR ecosystem designed to align corporate resources with India’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Reflecting on the deeper necessity of this alliance, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, emphasized that individual success remains futile unless it fuels collective progress. She noted that while wealth may accumulate, it serves no true purpose if we fail to lift others as we rise. “In an era where the widening chasm between the rich and the poor sparks global unrest," she said, "true CSR is not merely a corporate policy, but a profound commitment to ensure that as society moves forward, we take the world with us.” This vision of inclusive growth serves as the cornerstone of the partnership, which aims to leverage TERI’s scientific R&D alongside CSR TIMES’s stakeholder engagement platform.

The partnership is built on the belief that corporate social responsibility can no longer exist in a vacuum. Dr Saharia highlighted that the CSR landscape is evolving into a space that must be intentionally aligned with national goals to act as a catalyst for social equity. To achieve this, the collaboration will focus on several key objectives, including joint publications, capacity-building workshops, and rigorous impact assessment methodologies. A central pillar of this effort will be the promotion of the upcoming edition of TERI’s ‘Lighting a Billion Lives’ (LaBL) 2.0 initiative, connecting CSR funders with high-impact sustainable development projects.

By integrating their unique strengths—TERI as a leading knowledge authority and CSR TIMES as a dedicated media and engagement platform—the two organizations aim to become a unified force for social impact. Mr. Harish Chandra stated that by leveraging this collaborative platform, they are positioned to achieve significant positive outcomes, merging scientific expertise with vast networks to drive meaningful change. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Amit Kumar Thakur, Associate Director, TERI, marking the beginning of a transformative partnership.