For over 25 years, the Access to Education Program has worked with civil society organizations in urban marginalized contexts. Children in cities face multiple barriers to education such as migration, language gaps, economic pressures, lack of stable support systems, and unsafe living conditions. These factors often make education secondary to survival.
In response, many of the projects we have supported focused on enabling access to education through community-based learning spaces, foundational literacy and numeracy support, scholarships, and facilitating school enrolment. Civil society organizations have also supported children and their families in accessing essential documentation and navigating systems such as government schools.
Over time, we have learned that while such interventions support children in completing schooling, they are often inadequate in meaningfully changing life trajectories. Many children require continued support beyond enrolment and completion of schooling.
We now anchor our work in a life-cycle approach, which emphasizes sustained engagement with children beyond their early years of education. This includes educational and socio-emotional support, along with exposure and career guidance, to help children make informed choices in their journey.
We invite applications from organizations that align with our vision and meet the following criteria :
Please note: The review process involves multiple stages and may take a month or more.
No, we do not directly fund schools.
No, we do not fund projects initiated in an individual capacity.
No, sponsorship of school fees is not covered under this program.
No, infrastructure improvements and provision of learning materials are not covered under this
program.
No, organizations must directly work with children on the ground.
Yes. Please refer to our Children with Disabilities program.
This program requires established organizations with statutory compliance. You may
consider applying to the Wipro Education Fellowship program, if eligible.
Wipro Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) entity of Wipro Limited. Going back over two decades, we focus on social initiatives in the domains of Education, Primary Healthcare, Ecology, Disaster Response, and Cities & Public Spaces.
Samir Gadgil is the Head HR for the Chief Growth Office and all Corporate Functions at Wipro. He is also Wipro Cares’ Pune Location Head.
Previously, Samir has worked as Head – HR for Digital Operations & Platforms and managed multiple initiatives under HR and People Supply Chain Functions, including Talent Acquisition, Talent Transformation, Workforce Management, Facilities & Transport.
A seasoned professional, Samir has also served as the Global Head- Compensation, and Benefits at Wipro and worked with best-in-class Manufacturing, Consulting, Financial, and IT Service Companies in a career spanning over two decades.
