People & Nature
Thriving Together ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024
OUR MISSION
To create lasting wellbeing for people and the planet by strengthening communities, expanding opportunities, and restoring our connection with nature. We advance this mission through community-led development, learning, women’s agency, sporting pathways, environmental restoration, and biodiversity storytelling.
Trust is fundamental to the way Roundglass Foundation works. Our work in Punjab begins with the participation of the communities we serve. Panchayats make land available for forests, playgrounds, and waste management systems. Families entrust us with opportunities for their children to learn and develop. Women from within these communities step forward as Changemakers and help lead programs locally. This trust carries with it a responsibility to create lasting value. Our ambition extends beyond the delivery of individual programs. We are building an integrated model of community development in which environmental restoration, education, sport, women’s participation, and wellbeing can reinforce one another. Central to this approach is local ownership: developing the knowledge, leadership, and capacity within communities to sustain progress over time. In 2023–24, this model grew significantly. We planted more than one million trees across 508 villages, more than double the previous year. Village-run waste management systems expanded to 78 communities. Learn Labs reached 2,572 children, while Sports Centers reached 4,457 children, including 1,727 girls. Sixty-eight local trainers brought yoga and wellbeing practices to more than 11,000 people. Beyond Roundglass Foundation creates lasting wellbeing for people and the planet by strengthening communities, expanding opportunities, and restoring our connection with nature. We advance this mission through community-led development, learning, women’s agency, sporting pathways, environmental restoration, and biodiversity storytelling.
Punjab, Roundglass Sustain brought stories of India’s biodiversity to 15.2 million people. These results demonstrate the growing reach of our work. They also reinforce an important principle: scale is meaningful only when it is supported by strong local participation and ownership. Our focus is therefore not simply on reaching more communities, but on strengthening the foundations that allow programs to endure. As we look ahead, we intend to deepen the programs that have demonstrated impact, invest further in local leadership, and strengthen partnerships that can bring additional knowledge, resources, and opportunities to the communities we serve. As our reach expands, we must ensure that growth does not come at the expense of community relationships on which this work depends. Punjab has more than 12,000 villages, and there remains a significant opportunity to extend our work. We will approach that opportunity with the same principle that has guided us from the beginning: trust must be earned through consistent action, shared responsibility, and results that communities can see and sustain. The trust placed in Roundglass Foundation has enabled us to build a strong foundation. Our responsibility now is to strengthen it and extend its impact.
Board of Directors | Roundglass Foundation
ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024 | 3
A year of progress
1,024,361
Trees, thriving children, developing athletes, and biodiversity stories reaching millions
Trees planted, more than double the year before
78
11,093
Villages operating community-run waste systems
People at yoga sessions taught by instructors trained locally
2,572
1,727
Children at a Learn Lab after school
Girls participating in grassroots sports
5
15.2 million
Academy players called up to represent India in football
People reached through stories of India’s biodiversity
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How we work Across Roundglass Punjab, Sports, and Sustain, we combine community relationships, specialist expertise, and partnerships to create opportunities for people and care for the natural world.
Community-led delivery
Partnerships that strengthen delivery
We train and support local Changemakers as educators, coaches, and wellbeing instructors. Working with Panchayats and families, they bring local knowledge to program delivery and strengthen community participation and leadership.
We collaborate with communities, government bodies, sporting institutions, researchers, and conservation organizations. These relationships bring expertise, resources, and access, while connecting our work with broader development and conservation priorities.
Connected programs
Local knowledge & specialist expertise
In Punjab, learning, wellbeing, livelihoods, sport, and environmental restoration reinforce one another. We connect these programs so communities can benefit from progress across several areas of everyday life.
We bring local knowledge and Indian knowledge traditions together with scientific evidence and professional expertise. This helps us develop approaches that respond to the people, places, and needs involved.
Pathways for sporting talent Through grassroots programs, Development Centers, and Academies, we connect young athletes with coaching, training, and competitive opportunities in football, hockey, and tennis.
Nature brought into focus Roundglass Sustain combines science, field knowledge, and storytelling to make India’s biodiversity more accessible. Working with researchers, communities, and conservation partners, we help build understanding of wildlife, habitats, and why their protection matters.
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ROUNDGLASS PUNJAB
Stronger communities. Creating lasting opportunity. Roundglass Punjab works with village communities to improve everyday life through education, sport, wellbeing, livelihoods, and environmental restoration.
Environment & Sustainability
The Billion Tree Project (TBTP) Establishes native forests, parks, and orchards on village land, with local nurseries supporting planting and employment.
Waste Management Helps villages establish waste collection, segregation, composting, and recycling systems in partnership with Panchayats and residents.
Youth Development
Women’s Equity Yoga & Wellbeing
Trains local women to lead community yoga and wellbeing sessions, expanding access to wholistic wellbeing practices and creating paid teaching opportunities.
Livelihoods Supports women to save collectively through Self-Help Groups and develop small enterprises, building practical skills and opportunities to earn income.
Menstrual Health Conducts menstrual health workshops for adolescent girls, led by women from their local communities.
Learn Labs
Provides after-school learning support focused on foundational literacy and problem-solving through activities led by trained local facilitators.
Sports Centers Offers structured football and volleyball activities for children, with a focus on expanding girls’ access to coaching and opportunities to play.
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Environment & Sustainability 1,024,361 native trees planted. 78 villages running their own waste systems.
The Billion Tree Project
Waste Management
In 2023–24, we planted 1,024,361 native trees across 508 villages, more than twice the 448,828 planted the previous year. Panchayats and participating farmers made land available along village boundaries and canals, near gurdwaras, and on other community sites.
In 78 villages, community waste management systems served 16,198 households. Working with Panchayats and residents, we supported waste collection, household segregation, composting, and recycling. During the year, 7,800 tons of wet waste were processed into 1,560 tons of compost for use on local fields, while dry waste was sent to local recyclers. Local collectors and other workers manage these systems day to day, creating paid work while helping villages manage their waste locally.
The plantings are creating native forests, parks, and orchards across Punjab. Our nurseries raised 170 native species and gave local residents practical experience in species identification and propagation. Nursery work, planting, and ongoing maintenance also created local employment.
Trees planted
448,828 2022-23
1,024,361 2023-24
Where we worked in Punjab, 2023-2024 REGION
• • • • •
VILLAGES WITH TREE PLANTINGS
VILLAGES WITH WASTE SYSTEMS
MAHJA
4
1
DOABA
1
4
MALWA NORTH
140
39
MALWA CENTRAL
242
31
MALWA SOUTH
121
3
508
78
PUNJAB
“The Billion Tree Project has transformed our farm landscape. Along with greener surroundings, we are seeing many native birds return after years in the planted mini forest. It feels like nature is healing itself around us.” MANDEEP SINGH, Bassian Village, Fatehgarh Sahib
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Youth Development More opportunities to learn and play.
Learn Labs
Sports Centers
In 2023–24, Learn Labs supported 2,572 children across 112 villages with after-school sessions focused on foundational literacy and problem-solving.
Across 128 villages, 4,457 children participated in our Sports Centers in 2023–24. Local coaches led regular football and volleyball sessions on village playing grounds, giving children consistent access to coached sport close to home.
Trained local Changemakers led the sessions within their own communities, helping children practice reading, ask questions, solve problems, and learn together. Our collaboration with Punjab’s Department of Education and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) helped us develop teaching approaches relevant to the children and communities we serve.
“When they walk in, they feel like they are stepping into a different world.” POOJA RANI, Changemaker, Bathinda
Through One Girl One Football, each participating girl received a football of her own, allowing her to practice at home as well as during coached sessions. Girls’ participation grew from 340 in 2022–23 to 1,727 in 2023–24.
112 Villages with at least one Learn Lab
“Since the day I joined, every child has had their own football. This allows them to learn more, and we are coaching them, as well. My goal is for them to play at the national level, represent India, attend training camps.” LAKHWINDER SINGH, Changemaker, Sahibana Village, Ludhiana
Girls in One Girl One Football Program
340
2022-23
1,727
2023-24
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Women’s Equity Expanding opportunities for women to lead, earn, and support wellbeing in their communities.
Yoga Centers
43
Yoga & Wellbeing
2022-23
In 2023–24, 68 women trained as yoga instructors and led free yoga and wellbeing sessions across 67 villages. Together, these sessions reached 11,093 people.
2023-24
67
The program also expanded beyond village sessions, with trained instructors leading yoga in colleges, universities, and other institutions.
Livelihoods Four Self-Help Groups brought together 56 women to save collectively and develop small enterprises. Through the groups, women could build practical skills, pool resources, and explore opportunities to earn an income.
Menstrual Health In 2023–24, we held 76 menstrual health workshops for 454 adolescent girls, led by women from their local communities.
“My three-year journey with the yoga program has been truly transformative. Over the years, I have gained confidence and established my identity within my village. This growth has enabled me to share the benefits of wholistic wellbeing with my community, and I am proud to have trained more than 100 women and youth.” KHUSHBOO, Changemaker, Roni Village, Ludhiana
“I started this journey with many challenges, but I chose not to give up. Today, my family stands with me and supports my work. This enterprise has given me confidence, dignity and the belief that we women can build something of our own.” KARAMJIT KAUR, Kirti SHJ, Toderpur Village, Patiala, working in a slipper making unit.
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ROUNDGLASS SPORTS
Developing talent. Creating opportunities to compete. Roundglass Sports supports young athletes in football, hockey, and tennis through coaching, academy training, and opportunities to compete at national and international levels. Each sport offers a different pathway: football connects village programs with Development Centers and academy training; hockey combines grassroots centers with academy training in Mohali; and tennis provides sponsored training and specialist partnerships.
Talent from 8 regions
RAJASTHAN
HARYANA
UTTAR PRADESH
CHANDIGARH
DELHI
MANIPUR
WEST BENGAL PUNJAB
“I came through these gates as a kid with a dream, and Roundglass Football Academy has made it feel possible. The youth system here teaches you how to compete, handle pressure, and carry yourself on and off the pitch.” SHAMI SINGAMYAUM, Punjab FC player
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The football development pathway
The Football Academy provided fulltime training for 144 boys in 2023–24. Nine Development Centers provided professional coaching to 350 boys and more than 200 girls, creating a pathway for players to progress beyond village-level participation. Twenty-five coaches worked in the villages they came from, bringing local knowledge and experience to the coaching network.
Village Sports
Development Centers
Academy
The Hockey Academy opened in Mohali in 2023–24 with 25 boys. Beyond the Academy, 33 grassroots centers provided coaching to 1,041 boys and 421 girls. In its first year, the Academy won the Under-19 Hockey India Junior Men Academy Championship and finished runner-up at the Under-19 All India Olympian Mohinder Singh Munshi Tournament.
Twenty athletes received sponsored training through the Tennis Academy in 2023–24. The Academy expanded its clay-court training and partnered with Good to Great Tennis Academy in Sweden to provide additional specialist training. Yuvan Nandal achieved a career-high ITF world junior ranking of No. 38 in March 2023 and competed in the junior draws at all four Grand Slam tournaments that year. ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024 | 19
ROUNDGLASS SUSTAIN
Discover the nature of India Roundglass Sustain tells the stories of India’s wildlife and habitats through films, photography, and accessible writing. Bringing together scientific knowledge and field perspectives, our stories explore species and ecosystems across the country, from urban tide pools and wetlands to deserts, forests, and high-altitude landscapes, helping audiences understand the richness of India’s biodiversity and why protecting it matters.
Wild places made visible
Reaching audiences Our biodiversity stories reached an audience of 15.2 million during 2023–2024. We also brought films and storytelling into public spaces. Six screenings with Chandigarh Tourism marked World Tourism Day, exploring sustainable travel and wildlife in wetlands, grasslands, and urban settings. In Mumbai, we held three storytelling workshops at the Prince of Wales Museum. Sustain films were also shown in the museum’s bird and mammal galleries.
Working with partners We worked with 42 organizations across government, academia, and conservation. These collaborations supported access to locations, specialist knowledge, and opportunities to share stories with wider audiences.
Species featured
Recognition for science storytelling Saving the Bhimanama received a Silver award at the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards.
Habitats documented From Mumbai’s tide pools to the Changthang Plateau 85 species and 25 habitats documented this year.
• 37 FILMS • 66 INFOGRAPHICS • 22 PHOTO ESSAYS • 14 LONG-FORM CONSERVATION STORIES • 247 STORIES
Menar: Wings of Hope received audience awards at the UN World Wildlife Day Film Showcase and Jackson Wild. Sustain shorts were also selected for the Goethe-Institut Science Film Festival.
38
2022-23
85
2023-24
Ha b Do
s nted at it ume c
ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024 | 21
FINANCIALS Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2024 (All amounts in INR thousands, unless otherwise stated) Equity & liabilities
31-Mar-24
31-Mar-23
Shareholders’ Funds Share capital
42,500.00
Reserve & Surplus
(7,632.02)
31,181.77
34,867.98
73,681.77
Non-Current liabilities
31-Mar-24
31-Mar-23
Long-Term Provisions
1,205.49
1,601.33
1,205.49
1,601.33
31-Mar-24
31-Mar-23
Current liabilities Trade Payables
42,500.00
Total Outstanding dues of micro enterprises and small enterprises
895.45
131.58
Total Outstanding dues of creditors other than micro & small enterprises
9,085.78
7,272.61
309.77
12.58
Other current liabilities Short-term provisions
21,960.50
10,833.14
32,251.50
18,249.91
TOTAL
68,324.97
93,533.01
Assets
31-Mar-24
31-Mar-23
Non-Current assets Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Property, Plant and equipment Intangible assets
2,183.90
1,600.23
27.00
27.00
-
120.00
2,210.90
1,747.23
Current assets
31-Mar-24
31-Mar-23
Cash & Cash equivalents
Long-term loans and advances
59,850.68
83,597.95
Short terms loans & advances
1,609.29
3,028.69
Other current assets
4,654.10
5,159.14
66,114.07
91,785.78
TOTAL
68,324.97
93,533.01
Statement of income and expenditure for the year ended March 31, 2024 (All amounts in INR thousands, unless otherwise stated)
Income 31-Mar-24
31-Mar-23
Income from grants
304,624.53
Other Income
257,490.54
47.83
309.70
257,538.37
304,934.23
Expenditure 31-Mar-24 31-Mar-23 Expenses on Programme initiatives Employee benefits expenses
198,758.27
176,985.36
Project utilization expenses
64,971.98
41,888.61
Others
19,425.42
808.50
Finance cost
76.32
64.96
Depreciation & Amortization expense
1,230.72
818.47
Other expenses
11,889.46
15,009.12
296,352.17
235,575.02
Excess of Income over expenditure before tax
(38,813.80)
69,359.21
Tax expenses Current tax for current year profits
-
-
adjustments for earlier years
-
-
Deffered tax
-
-
Total tax expenses
-
-
(38,813.80)
69,359.21
“Surplus/(deficit) transferred during the year to the reserves and surplus account”
For detailed audited report please follow the below link: Audited-FCRA-Financials-2023-24.pdf
Governance & Transparency: Institutional Consolidation Our governance consolidation focused on building institutional frameworks to support our approaches to organise complex initiatives into integrated systems.
Consolidation-Centred Governance Effective consolidation demanded governance, integrating diverse programmes while maintaining distinct excellence in each area. Periodic reviews, internal audits, risk assessments, and performance monitoring mechanisms were institutionalised to strengthen oversight across environmental, social, educational, and community development programmes. Robust internal controls were embedded across financial, operational, and compliance processes to ensure the integrity of decision-making, prudent utilisation of resources, timely statutory filings, and effective risk mitigation. These measures enhanced organisational resilience while enabling efficient programme delivery and accountability to stakeholders.
Community-Centred Accountability We continued to strengthen participatory governance practices by promoting community engagement, stakeholder consultation, and transparent reporting mechanisms. Feedback systems, impact protocols, and accountability frameworks prioritised community voice and local decision-making while maintaining established quality and governance standards. We maintained full compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and regular compliance reviews demonstrated our commitment to ethical governance, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of resources.
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The work continues. The possibilities grow. A child’s opportunity to learn. A woman’s opportunity to earn and lead. An athlete’s opportunity to compete. A natural world understood and protected. These are the futures we work towards. Our commitment is to deepen the work: strengthen learning, support women’s agency, develop sporting talent, and advance environmental restoration and biodiversity storytelling. Progress depends on the people who carry it forward: communities, educators, coaches, researchers, colleagues, donors, and partners. Together, we can turn more possibilities into lasting change.
roundglassfoundation.org