Monitoring & Evaluation; Impact Assessment and Social Audit Under Corporate Social Responsibility of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

Study Components:

The study focused on three main components of NMDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program:

1. Monitoring & Evaluation
2. Impact Assessment
3. Social Audit

1. Impact Assessment of NMDC CSR Initiatives

Aims and Objectives: The research aims to capture the tangible and intangible impact of NMDC’s CSR activities among stakeholders and assess their expectations regarding the benefits received. It will examine whether the impact aligns with the planned objectives and outputs of the initiatives, and suggest measures for improvement or course correction for ongoing initiatives.

Coverage:

The CSR initiatives of NMDC were mainly in six aspirational districts in Chhattisgarh (Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Sukma), Karnataka (Bellary), and Madhya Pradesh (Panna). The initiatives were categorized under 12 Focus Areas:

1. Health Services
2. Educational Support
3. Infrastructure
4. Solar Electrification
5. Farmers’ Welfare
6. Sports
7. Drinking Water
8. Environment
9. Skill Development
10. Culture and Heritage
11. Flood and Natural Calamities
12. Miscellaneous

Methodology:

The study used mixed methods, drawing upon data collected through primary surveys, in-depth interviews, case studies, and focus group discussions.

2. Social Audit of NMDC CSR Initiatives

Objectives:

• Identify and measure NMDC’s net social contribution with respect to attaining social goals.
• Assess the social, economic, and environmental benefits of NMDC’s CSR program.
• Gather relevant information for public accountability and decision-making regarding resource allocation.
• Map stakeholders’ perceptions of NMDC’s CSR program.

Coverage:

The benefits from NMDC’s CSR initiatives were spread across themes such as Education, Health, Infrastructure, Drinking Water, Skill Development, Farmers’ Welfare, Solar Electrification, Environment, Culture and Heritage, and Sports.

Methodology:

A mixed-methods approach was adopted using semi-structured questionnaires and qualitative tools for primary data collection. The survey instruments included questions addressing the specific objectives of the study. In addition to demographic information, the questions focused on beneficiaries’ experiences, perceptions, and opinions, including conducting Gram Sabhas. The Social Audit exercise covered 188 sample activities across various focus areas and districts.

Key Insights:

• The Impact Assessment and Social Audit provided a comprehensive understanding of the CSR initiatives’ effectiveness and areas for improvement.
• Stakeholders’ feedback and the mixed-methods approach ensured a holistic evaluation of the CSR programs, helping align them more closely with community needs and expectations.
• The findings from these exercises would guide NMDC in refining its CSR strategies and enhancing the social, economic, and environmental outcomes of its initiatives.