Google-backed fund has selected four India-based organizations among 14 other recipients across the Asia-Pacific region for grants under the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0, supported by a USD 5-million grant from Google.org. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote AI-driven solutions to address critical climate challenges across the Asia-Pacific region.
APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0
The APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0 is supported by a USD 5 million grant from Google.org and is managed by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN). The fund aims to foster the development of technology- and AI-driven solutions that tackle pressing environmental and social issues. A total of 14 organizations across the Asia-Pacific region were selected for this grant, including four from India.
Organizations Selected for the Grant
The four Indian organizations selected to receive the grant are:
- INREM Foundation
- CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF)
- Institute for Financial Management and Research (WELL Labs)
- Gujarat Mahila Housing Sewa Trust (MHT)
These organizations were chosen for their innovative use of AI technology to address various environmental challenges.
AI-Driven Projects by Indian Organizations
- INREM Foundation will focus on developing AI-enabled open digital solutions that allow communities to access data on water contamination. This project aims to empower communities with the information they need to ensure safe and clean water.
- CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) plans to use machine learning and satellite imagery to protect lakes and preserve their function as carbon sinks. By doing so, CRDF aims to contribute to the fight against climate change by maintaining these crucial natural resources.
- Institute for Financial Management and Research (WELL Labs) will work on creating advanced models that provide insights into village-level water security. This project aims to ensure that rural communities have the necessary data to manage and secure their water resources effectively.
- Gujarat Mahila Housing Sewa Trust (MHT) is set to develop an AI-powered model to identify urban heat islands—areas within cities that are significantly warmer than their surroundings. MHT will then suggest community-centric solutions to mitigate the impact of these heat islands.
Previous Success and Future Impact
This initiative follows the success of APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 1.0, which was supported by a previous USD 3 million grant from Google.org. The first round of funding helped save over 13 million tonnes of water and mitigated 3,700 tonnes of carbon emissions in India’s agriculture sector.
The projects funded under the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0 are expected to have a significant impact on both environmental sustainability and community well-being. By leveraging the power of AI and technology, these Indian organizations are set to make meaningful contributions to the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
This strategic initiative by Google.org demonstrates a continued commitment to supporting innovative solutions that address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The success of these projects will likely inspire further investments in AI-driven climate solutions across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
