L'oréal India And Pratham Education Foundation Launch Project Udaan

India, 16 July 2024 – L'Oréal India today, announced the launch Project Udaan, a CSR initiative in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh to support the education of disadvantaged children from the migrant communities residing around its Baddi plant.

Baddi in Himachal Pradesh has a high migrant labour population. The children of these migrant families require additional support to cope with discontinuities in learning and often to enrol into formal schooling. In partnership with Pratham Education Foundation, Project Udaan by L’Oréal India is a multipronged intervention including programs on school readiness and enhancement of foundational learning. The initiative kicked off with the inauguration of an education center in the presence of Shri. Ajay Kumar Yadav, IAS, Additional District Collector, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

The center will be leveraged as an educational resource hub, where a range of learning activities will be conducted.

Here, pre-school and out-of-school children will be helped to become school-ready, and children in classes 1 - 5 will receive support to improve foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Mothers of the students will be encouraged to engage and participate actively in their children’s learning journey.

Aseem Kaushik, Managing Director of L'Oréal India, said, "L’Oréal is steadfast in contributing to the communities where we do business, and empowering future generations is a testament to this commitment. Education is a powerful engine for progress and empowerment. The L’Oréal India Project Udaan initiative aims to provide disadvantaged children with a gateway to formal education to reach their full potential and contribute to a brighter future for themselves. The dedication and expertise of Pratham Education Foundation is instrumental in making this vision a reality. The next phase of Project Udaan will see the opening of another education center near our plant in Chakan, Maharashtra.”

Through this initiative L’Oréal India is committed to supporting 4000 children in Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra in 2024 – 2025 with a vision to scale to 30,000 children by 2030 across India.

Dr. Rukmini Banerji, CEO, Pratham Education Foundation, said, “We are very excited about our partnership with L'Oréal India and the start of a new project in Baddi and Chakan. This initiative will focus on preparing young children for school and strengthening the skills of those already in school, ensuring they have the foundation they need for lifelong success. At Pratham, we believe in the power of education to change lives and this collaboration with L’Oréal India is a testament to our shared commitment to creating a bright future for children in these regions!"

L'Oréal India’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives revolve around three pillars: empowerment environment, and education. The different projects undertaken in India aim to uplift marginalized communities, empower women, and foster sustainable development.

Globally, the L'Oréal for the Future program, launched in 2020, embodies the Group's sustainability ambition built around three major strategic aspects: transforming our business activities to reduce the impact on climate, water, biodiversity and resources; empowering its business ecosystem; helping address the most pressing environmental and social challenges the world is facing. L'Oréal acts by supporting highly vulnerable women and communities who are most exposed to climate disasters, and by investing in the regeneration of nature and the development of the circular economy.

About L’Oréal India:

L’Oréal India celebrates its 30th year as a wholly-owned subsidiary of L’Oréal S.A. since 1994. Today, L’Oréal India is present in all distribution channels with 26 brands, available in mass market channels (L’Oréal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York, NYX Professional Makeup); in hair and beauty salons (L’Oréal Professionnel, Matrix, Kérastase, Redken); in selective distribution (Kiehl’s, Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent,),CeraVe in pharmacy and chemist channels, and fragrances sold via L’Oréal International Distribution (Ralph Lauren, Armani, Prada, Valentino, Diesel, Viktor & Rolf, Maison Margiela, Mugler, Azzaro, Guy Laroche…)

L’Oréal India employs over 1,800 people across its headquarters in Mumbai, four regional offices, two manufacturing facilities in Chakan (Maharashtra) and Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), and Research and Innovation facilities in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Website: www.loreal.co.in, Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.