The aim of these Projects is to ‘Equip for Life’ young people at risk- from social and economically disadvantaged backgrounds or with physical disabilities, through the activities of the Programme. The Award Programme encourages independence, inter-dependence and self-help among socially isolated and vulnerable youth. As an available-for-all youth development programme, The Indian Special Projects are assisted by a supporting grant from the International Special Projects and contributions from business and the society at large.

The initiative started in 1999 with The Salaam Baalak Trust. Over the years, The Award has transformed lives of young people from social organisations like the All Bengal Women’s Union, Bustee Welfare Centre, Emmanuel Ministries, Sri Sarda Math, the Emmanual School and the Rama Krishna Mission Blind Boys Academy in West Bengal; the Valley View School of TRF Nagar, the Manav Vikas School in Jharkhand; the Olcott Memorial School in Chennai; the Raphael Ryder Cheshire Home and the Purkal Youth Development Society in Dehradun. More recently, the Youth Engaging Society (YES) campaign is allowing young people from premier schools to engage actively in helping their peers with disabilities, economic and social challenges to successfully complete the Award Programme.

Thanks to the fresh investments and partnerships with businesses like Bharti Enterprises, HSBC India, JCB India, MAX India Ltd. and Tata Consultancy Services, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, nearly 3000 lives of disadvantaged young people have been positively transformed.

The impact of the Special Projects is visible, and our participants have very often found their livelihoods and true place in the community.

"The Award gave me the confidence to stand up against early marriage of girls, focus on my studies, and gain skills I will use my entire life. Most importantly, today I can be a leader in my community and help other girls to take a stand against child marriage, girls’ education and more." - Radha- a Gold Award Holder from Special Project in Vellore

“The Award gave me the confidence to try different skills and introduced me to Karate, my skill to earn my livelihood” - Sudhir Yadav, Gold Award Holder, Salaam Balak Trust

"For a blind person like me, the Award showed the path to success lies in perseverance and motivation" - Sujan Bose, Gold Award Holder, The Ram Krishna Mission Blind Boys Academy