Vani Jha
India’s social impact ecosystem is witnessing a significant milestone as Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL), a not-for-profit organisation focused on youth empowerment, prepares to be listed on the National Stock Exchange of India’s Social Stock Exchange. This development is expected to open new funding opportunities and significantly expand programs aimed at supporting government school students, rural youth, and women across the country.
The listing marks a major step forward in strengthening transparent and impact-driven funding for social initiatives. By leveraging the Social Stock Exchange platform, FUEL aims to scale its educational and skill development initiatives to reach underserved communities and bridge the gap between education and employment.
Empowering Youth Through Education and Skills
Founded in 2007 by social entrepreneur Ketan Deshpande, FUEL has been dedicated to guiding young people toward meaningful careers through education, scholarships, and skill development programs. The organization works extensively with students from government schools and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who often lack access to career guidance and modern skill training.
Through its initiatives, FUEL offers training in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, digital literacy, soft skills, and career development. These programs are designed to help young individuals become workforce-ready and confident about their career paths.
Over the years, the organization has already made a considerable impact. It has trained more than 2.9 lakh young people in future-ready skills and awarded over 2,900 scholarships, helping students pursue higher education and better employment opportunities.
Why the Social Stock Exchange Listing Matters
The Social Stock Exchange (SSE) is a unique initiative that allows non-profit organizations and social enterprises to raise funds while ensuring transparency and measurable social impact. Unlike traditional stock exchanges that focus purely on financial returns, the SSE focuses on impact-oriented funding and encourages individuals, corporations, and institutions to support social causes.
By being listed on the SSE, FUEL will gain access to a broader network of donors, corporate partners, and impact investors. The funds raised will be used to expand scholarships, provide digital and life-skills training, support entrepreneurship programs, and integrate young people into the workforce.
More importantly, the listing will strengthen governance and transparency in the organization’s operations, ensuring that contributors can clearly track how their support is creating real change in society.
Building an Industry–Academia Collaboration Model
One of FUEL’s key initiatives is the development of an innovative industry academia collaboration model. Under this approach, corporate partners work closely with educational institutions to ensure that academic learning aligns with industry needs.
As part of this ecosystem, the organization plans to develop a SkillTech and Entrepreneurship University. Corporates will have the opportunity to adopt and mentor specific schools within the university framework, helping shape curriculum design, research initiatives, innovation labs, internships, and employment pathways.
This collaborative model ensures that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop practical skills required in the modern workforce.
A notable example of industry participation is the adoption of the School of Science by Yusuf Hamied, Chairman of Cipla, reinforcing the focus on high-quality scientific education and research-oriented learning.
Expanding Opportunities for Rural Youth and Women
A major focus of FUEL’s expansion strategy is to create opportunities for rural youth and women, who often face systemic barriers in accessing education and career guidance.
The programs supported through the SSE funding will focus on:
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STEM education and future-ready technology skills
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Scholarships for economically disadvantaged students
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Digital literacy and life skills training
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Entrepreneurship development programs
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Workforce integration and job readiness training
These initiatives aim to empower first-generation learners and individuals from marginalized communities by providing them with the tools and resources needed to build sustainable careers.
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A Step Toward Inclusive Growth
The listing of FUEL on the NSE Social Stock Exchange represents more than just a financial milestone it is a step toward inclusive development and social transformation.
By bringing together corporates, institutions, and citizens to support education and skill development, the initiative creates a collaborative pathway for nation-building. As India continues to harness the potential of its young population, initiatives like these will play a crucial role in shaping a skilled, confident, and future-ready workforce.
With expanded resources and partnerships, FUEL is poised to create even greater impact empowering millions of students, rural youth, and women to unlock opportunities and build brighter futures.