Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF)

WHY HUF? Estimates suggests that if the current pattern of demand for water continues in India, about half of the country’s water needs will be unmet by 2030. As cities, townships and villages struggle with an impending water crisis, there is a growing realisation that the issue needs focussed and concerted solutions that involve government, communities, experts and mission-based organizations. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) set up Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF), a not-for-profit organization in 2010. HUF operates the ‘Water for Public Good’ programme, with a specific focus to empower village level community institutions to govern water resources and enhance farm based livelihoods through adoption of judicious water practices. The reason to focus on agriculture is because it has the lion’s share of water usage in India (about 80%) – much of it is inefficiently used. HUF’s mandate is inspired by a belief that: “Water as a source of livelihoods and life is under severe threat today. It will take collective and cohesive action by individuals, communities and government to conserve and govern water so that it is equitably available to all today and in years to come.”