CEFHA Trust Wins Prestigious Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Award 2024

PUNE, :  In a significant recognition of its efforts towards empowering marginalized communities, Visakhapatnam-based NGO, Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (CEFHA) Trust, has been awarded the prestigious Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Award 2024. The award recognizes their impactful project, “Empowering Adivasi Women through Mobility Skills,” which won in the category of ‘Increase Access to Resources.’

The Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA), an initiative by Bridgestone India, aims to promote and celebrate innovations in sustainable mobility that tackle critical social issues. The awards spotlight projects by non-profit organizations that advance social development by improving access to resources and empowering vulnerable communities. This year, the 4th edition of the awards saw a robust response with numerous entries submitted across various categories, with the focus on empowering mobility solutions for underserved groups and improving access to essential resources.

Mr. Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, spoke at the event, highlighting the company's commitment to societal well-being. “Bridgestone’s mission of ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’ lies at the heart of our efforts to contribute to people and communities. As a global leader in sustainable mobility solutions, these awards are a testament to our dedication to supporting and celebrating innovations that address pressing social issues and work towards improving the quality of life,” he said.

The project led by CEFHA Trust focuses on empowering Adivasi women by equipping them with mobility skills, thereby creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. By enabling these women to gain economic independence, the initiative aims to improve their quality of life and provide long-term benefits for their families. Dr. Sasiprabha Stanley, Director of CEFHA Trust, emphasized the transformative impact of the project, saying, “Empowering women and creating a sustainable livelihood option for the family has been central to our implementation strategy. Through this initiative, we have developed a model where Indigenous Adivasi women are taking up the wheel, transforming their lives with increased economic independence.”

The award recognizes CEFHA's dedication to uplifting vulnerable communities and empowering women through sustainable mobility, further establishing its standing as a key player in social impact initiatives in India.

This recognition not only highlights the vital work being done by CEFHA Trust but also reinforces the importance of sustainable mobility as a tool for social empowerment. The project is a promising example of how targeted interventions can lead to broader economic and social transformations in marginalized communities.