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“Guided by local insights, we worked alongside communities to build shared ownership and meaningful partnerships that deliver lasting change,” highlights Nitin Apte, CEO, Vena Group and Chairperson of Vena Group’s Sustainability Committee.
At Vena Group, CSR is embedded in how the organisation engages with the communities where it operates, enabling meaningful contributions while strengthening purpose and shared value. This approach was recognised at the HR Excellence Awards 2025, Singapore, where Vena Group received the bronze award for 'Excellence in CSR Strategy' for its Power, Purpose and People initiative.
In this interview, Nitin Apte, CEO and Chairperson of Vena Group’s Sustainability Committee, together with the team, shares the philosophy behind the initiative and how a people-centred approach has enabled meaningful community contribution and long-term collaboration.
Q Tell us about your inspiring initiative – what sparked the idea, and how did you know it was the right path to take?
Our journey began with a simple belief: as we grow, so should the communities around us. At Vena Group, renewable energy is a core part of our mission, but responsibility and care for people have always been equally important. Our purpose is to engineer a greener future for our staff, and the communities we work in and live in.
Guided by our three CSR pillars — environmental conservation, community wellness, and infrastructure development, we translated purpose into action across our markets. From clean water access and solar solutions to women’s empowerment and education programmes, each initiative was designed with communities, not just for them.
“Sustainability is our way of doing business,” says Nitin.
“When we saw children using new handwashing stations in the Philippines, or women entrepreneurs in Indonesia building confidence and capability through new skills, we knew we were contributing in a meaningful way. Impact isn’t measured only in megawatts — it’s reflected in lives touched and opportunities created.”
Q Every journey has its ups and downs – can you share a challenge your team faced and how you worked through it together?
Operating across diverse geographies reinforced an important truth: community needs are never one-size-fits-all. What works in Taiwan’s wetlands may not be relevant in rural India or island communities in Indonesia.
Our approach was therefore rooted in listening first. We partnered closely with local leaders, NGOs, schools, and community groups to understand priorities and co-design initiatives that were relevant and respectful.
As our CSR team often shared, “community impact comes from understanding, not assumptions.”
In Gangga, Indonesia, for example, long power outages affected daily life. Working alongside residents, our local teams helped co-develop solar charging stations that addressed real needs in a practical way.
"By grounding our efforts in local insights, we were able to support communities in ways that encouraged shared ownership and long-term collaboration."
Q What impact has this initiative had on your organisation so far, and what do you hope it inspires in the wider HR community?
The impact has been both tangible and deeply meaningful. In 2024, Vena Group delivered over 300 programmes, mobilised 3,000 volunteer hours, and supported approximately 200,000 beneficiaries across its markets.
Beyond the numbers, the initiative reinforced what responsible growth looks like in practice — from biodiversity conservation in Taiwan to healthcare access in India and education initiatives in rural Australia.
“CSR is about shared value,” says Nitin.
Internally, employees became active participants in initiatives they helped shape, strengthening pride, purpose, and connection across teams.
Externally, consistent engagement helped build trust and continuity with the communities we serve.
We hope this encourages other organisations to see CSR not as a transaction, but as a long-term commitment to contributing positively wherever they operate.
Q Looking back, is there a moment, person, or value that kept you and your team motivated throughout the journey?
The value that sustained us was purpose. Every community engagement reminded us why this work matters.
One memorable moment was in Cadiz City, where the team constructed 16 handwashing stations for preschoolers. Watching children use them with joy reinforced how small actions can create meaningful impact.
In WinnerU Village, Indonesia, women entrepreneurs proudly showcased products developed through skills-building programmes—evidence that empowerment continues long after a project concludes.
“Purpose doesn’t expire — it compounds,” shared one local team member.
Whether restoring habitats in Taiwan or cleaning beaches in Korea, our teams remained motivated by a shared belief: investing in people is investing in a better tomorrow.
Q If you could offer one golden nugget of wisdom to HR professionals aiming for excellence, what would it be?
Listen before you lead. Effective CSR doesn’t begin in the boardroom—it begins in the community.
At Vena Group, our guiding principle is simple: co-create consistently.
“Sustainability isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about steady, human actions,” says Nitin.
Our advice to HR leaders is to stay close to the people you aim to support, remain open to learning, and allow communities to shape solutions alongside you. When purpose and partnership align, meaningful impact follows naturally.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
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