In the wake of the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, some of the world's leading financial firms collapsed, leaving the most vulnerable members of society directly or indirectly affected by the economic turmoil. It was in this context that AAFCET was founded to support underprivileged individuals and communities.
With over 14 years of grassroots experience, AAFCET is a social change organization focused on delivering positive social impact to disadvantaged people. We embrace a moral universalism approach that is inclusive of diverse cultural and economic organizations.
At the core of our mission is education, which we believe is the foundation for creating a peaceful and equitable society that respects gender, race, caste, and religion. We have been supporting the education of numerous girls and boys, including engineers, doctors, and graduates, even before the inception of AAFCET. Our commitment to education is designed to ensure every child has access to learning and promote gender equality.
We also work to alleviate poverty and suffering by providing basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities without compromising the dignity of those we serve. Our support extends to orphans, low-income families, and other marginalized groups.
In addition to our ongoing work, AAFCET is committed to rapidly responding to areas struck by natural disasters by providing emergency humanitarian relief.
Core Bliefs - EII
Our core values are Equity, Integrity, and Impact (EII), which guide our decision-making and underscore our commitment to creating a more just and equitable world.
EQUITY: Pursuing access, opportunity, and advancement for underserved communities.
INTEGRITY: Acting with courage, respect, and integrity in all endeavors.
IMPACT: Taking smart risks to achieve significant impact.
VISION
Our vision at AAFCET is to create a world where people and planet are prioritized in economic systems. We aim to build an equitable society with access, opportunity, and advancement for all.
Our vision is centered on inclusivity, where we leverage the gap to allow everyone to achieve their fullest potential in society. We believe that strong education is vital in sustaining our democracy, strengthening the globe, and improving the lives of people, especially children and young adults.
MISSION
At AAFCET, we drive social change to maximize the impact of our services. We work without bias, irrespective of caste, creed, color, and gender, promoting respect, cooperation, and collaboration.
Our mission is to encourage bold efforts that create transformative change for better society. We engage in strategic social impact investing to achieve positive change effectively.
APPROACH
Building long-term relationships of trust with entities we support, understanding their health, effectiveness, strengths, and the challenges they face, is integral to AAFCET. We work in partnership with stakeholders, take on greater financial risk to increase social impact, and share returns equitably with labor.
BELIEF SYSTEM
At AAFCET, we believe in the power of education to bridge the gap between students from low-income backgrounds and those who are privileged. We believe that schools and colleges can help all students master the knowledge they need to succeed in today's society and to protect the environment.
We believe that strong education improves the lives of young people, sustains our democracy, and strengthens the globe. Our belief system is the foundation that drives us to achieve our vision of a more equitable and sustainable world.
AFFCET Incubation and Innovation Centre for Social Entrepreneur
AIICSE is a cutting-edge incubation and innovation center that empowers social entrepreneurs, impact-oriented innovators, and purpose-driven businesses to bring about positive social change. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, social innovation, and social entrepreneurship, AIICSE provides a unique and highly flexible combination of business development processes to help new and small businesses succeed in their early stages of development and growth.
Through an extended international network of peers, experts, and mentors, AIICSE offers unparalleled opportunities for social entrepreneurs to collaborate and exchange ideas, while benefiting from the guidance and support of experienced professionals in various fields. AIICSE is committed to providing a supportive environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation, while helping social entrepreneurs bring their ideas to fruition.
As part of the AAFCET fiscal sponsorship platform, AIICSE is an integral part of our mission to enable change leaders to incubate new charitable projects and bring innovative ideas to scale quickly. We have supported many initiatives designed to meet the most pressing needs of our time, and AIICSE is a prime example of our commitment to social innovation and entrepreneurship.
At AIICSE, we aim to create a vibrant and dynamic community of social entrepreneurs and innovators who are dedicated to making a positive impact on society, while driving sustainable growth and development.
WOMEN AND CHILD EMPOWERMENT
Our organization is deeply committed to promoting women and child empowerment through a range of initiatives that address the systemic barriers that impede their progress and potential.
We recognize that access to education is a crucial first step in creating a pathway towards empowerment and self-determination for girls and children who have been historically marginalized and excluded from educational opportunities due to poverty and other factors. Our team works closely with families in rural villages to identify and support children who have not had access to education. We believe that by providing books and materials, as well as advocating for the importance of education, we can help enroll these children in school and create a more equitable society.
We understand that gender inequality is a deeply ingrained issue that requires structural change to address. As such, we seek to identify and promote best practices, innovative approaches, and develop the next generation of leaders who are committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Our collaborative efforts with other civil society organizations and foundations aim to incorporate gender issues into their strategies and activities, making gender equality a core component of their work.
Our organization also invests in feminist alternatives to the current economic system, such as organic farming and handicrafts. These initiatives provide opportunities for women to build economic independence and break free from the cycle of poverty. We believe that by investing in these initiatives, we can create a more just and equitable world where women and children are able to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.
EDUCATION :
AAFCET: Education Equity for All
At AAFCET, we strive for education equity by closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect low-income, orphaned, and marginalized students. Our research and activism support efforts to expand excellence and equity in education, increase college access and completion, engage diverse communities, and increase political will to act on equity issues.
Our Process
We believe in educational justice and work towards solutions that promote high-quality learning opportunities for all students, preschool through college. Through research, policy analysis, and advocacy, we promote educational excellence, increase college access, engage diverse communities, and advocate for equity issues.
Our Method
Our approach is rooted in the social justice movement. We collaborate with universities and civil society organizations to support higher education students. We offer financial assistance to students and they, in turn, give back their time and support to those in need. We believe these students are the regional and global voices that promote critical thought and positive social change.
HIGHER EDUCATION
As experts in policy, research, and practice, we recognize the value of higher education in promoting social and economic mobility. However, we also understand that too few students, especially those from low-income families, orphans, and families of caste/color, have equitable access to postsecondary opportunities.
Our focus is on addressing these gaps by advocating for policies that improve access, affordability, and completion for underserved students from all backgrounds. We believe that education is a powerful tool for human development, peace, and economic growth, and we work to ensure that it is accessible to all.
We also understand the important role that education plays in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes. By promoting education, we help individuals and their families achieve a better future.
FOOD & MARRIAGE
We are an organization providing aid to families in India and Africa. The pandemic has only exacerbated the already serious issues of hunger and homelessness. We acknowledge that racial disparities still exist in access to food, as evidenced by reports of food insufficiency during the summer of 2021.
One of our main goals is to end student hunger and homelessness, particularly for those hardest hit by COVID-19. With 842 million undernourished people in the world, we believe that solving hunger is crucial for progress in other areas, such as health and education. Our efforts have so far resulted in the distribution of ration packs to over 10,000 families, but we recognize that many more families are in need of support.
Marriage Assistance
We also provide marriage assistance to underprivileged men by offering them self-sustainable vocational and skilled training to attain a proper earning system. In turn, we encourage them to support three other people in their lifetime for the same cause. Our approach focuses on empowering poor jobless individuals with opportunities to earn their daily livelihoods and break the vicious cycle of poverty. We understand the challenges faced by poor families, and our support includes not only wedding gifts but also marriage assistance funds.
Natural Calamity Services
In the aftermath of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and other calamities, our focus is on providing short-term assistance to meet basic needs, such as providing medicine to combat diseases that may arise.
Global Development & Health:
Our organization supports a variety of efforts to improve human health both domestically and internationally. This includes initiatives to improve health outcomes in diverse communities, develop new models for health care financing and delivery, and promote access to healthcare in areas affected by natural disasters.
Medicine:
We aim to be prepared to combat water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, and hepatitis that may arise after a flood or other natural disaster. Germs spread through the consumption of liquids and food in flood-affected areas can cause a variety of gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, acute gastroenteritis, typhoid, and acute hepatitis A and E.
Water:
We strive to provide clean water for domestic use and for people affected by natural disasters. We install water filtration plants in central locations in the community for everyone to use.
Toilets:
In heavily affected areas, we build portable and concrete blocks that consist of 3-5 toilets and 2-3 bathing spaces of 4x4 feet to ensure sanitation and hygiene for those impacted by the disaster.
Immediate Impact Support: Believe in Someone
Join our bold and proven movement to make a meaningful impact on vulnerable people in your community. Our direct giving model has been shown to empower recipients to find housing and purchase goods that improve their lives, while also restoring their dignity, confidence, and sense of well-being. Research has found that cash transfers do not increase spending on harmful goods like alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
We are building on this work by providing cash transfers to people experiencing homelessness around the world. Our evidence suggests that we are making an impact, and that direct giving is an effective tool to quickly reintroduce stability into people’s lives. Our approach combines advances in behavioral sciences, cognitive psychology, and behavioral economics to direct cash transfers in a way that has not been done before.
Our Cash Driven project team rigorously evaluates the recipient's way of life and activities involved in their lifestyle. We focus on approaching homeless individuals, orphans, and families affected by natural calamities.
Eligible participants are carefully selected to receive a one-time cash transfer with a complete understanding of their individual or family situation. Cash transfers are then deposited into participants' bank accounts in one lump sum. If the recipient does not have a bank account, we give the cash in the presence of two witnesses.
Our purpose is to innovate, test, and advocate for new social models to advance shared prosperity. We believe in a kind and inclusive world where everyone thrives. Our approach is based on trust and self-sufficiency, providing unconditional cash transfers to those who are homeless or orphans, but not struggling with severe drug misuse or mental illness, and letting them choose how best to support themselves with it. We believe that given the opportunity, people can move beyond homelessness and navigate to a better future.
SUTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING TECHNOLOGY
At AAFCET, we are committed to transforming agriculture towards a sustainable and organic model that prioritizes the health of both people and the planet. Through inclusive business practices that benefit all stakeholders - from producers to consumers to investors - we aim to solve some of the toughest agricultural challenges worldwide.
We recognize that food security is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and that organic agriculture can be a promising solution for achieving environmental sustainability while ensuring yield stability and soil health. Our approach involves fully integrated and traceable operations, as well as working closely with farmers to optimize land use and match community needs with available resources.
For example, in Srinagar and J&K, where fifty percent of the population relies on fruit and vegetable farming, we are focused on supporting the economic upliftment of farmers in the area. By improving post-harvest practices and reducing losses, we believe we can increase the availability of fruits and vegetables per capita and improve the overall economic conditions of farmers in the state. Our efforts in organic apple farming cultivation are just one example of how we are working towards a better future for all.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS
We strongly believe that active participation in civic life is a powerful tool in addressing inequality and can be a means to empower marginalized and underrepresented communities that have traditionally been excluded from decision-making processes.
Our organization is committed to promoting and facilitating civic engagement initiatives that aim to strengthen democracy, encourage community involvement, and increase transparency and accountability in government. We believe that when people are informed and engaged, they can influence policies and decisions that directly impact their lives and create a more just and equitable society.
JUSTICE REFORMS & RULE OF THE LAWS
AAFCET is committed to promoting justice reform and upholding the rule of law. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has equal access to legal protections and that the law is used to promote fairness and justice, rather than as a tool of oppression.
We work towards creating a justice system that is transparent, impartial, and accountable, and that serves the needs of all members of society, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. We believe that a just and equitable society can only be achieved when the rule of law is upheld and everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
