The aim of these Projects is to harness the potential of disadvantaged youth within the activities of the Award Programme and to encourage these young people to grow from their own strengths. The Award Programme aims to act as a catalyst to encourage independence, inter-dependence and self-help among socially isolated and vulnerable youth. In this task the Indian Award was assisted by a supporting grant from the International Special Projects and contributions from business and the society at large.

This key initiative was started in 1999 with The Salaam Baalak Trust, to support the street children at the New Delhi Railway Station. Over the years the Programme has been set up in Kolkata - Sir Syed Group of Schools, All Bengal Women’s Union, Bustee Welfare Centre, Emmanual Ministries, Sri Sarda Math and the Emmanual School. The Rama Krishna Mission Blind Boys Academy in Narenderpur near Kolkata. In Jharkhand at the Valley View School of TRF Nagar, and Manav Vikas School both in Jamdhedpur, the participants are from Santhall, Munda and other backward tribes.

In the south The Olcott Memorial School in Chennai and the Christian Medical College Community Health & Development Dept (CHAD) Project cover 4 villages of Kaniyambadi, Pennathur, Edayanchathu and Shoravaram. This is a rural project and in the municipal schools.

More than 2000 young people have participated in the Special Projects programme on an equal footing. The programme is extremely popular with young people of both sexes and at times it is difficult to cope with their enthusiasm to join the Award Programme in all its activities. With fresh investments and partnerships with business, to build momentum and make the Award all inclusive, helping equip for life young people from all walks of life. We welcome volunteers, Gold Holders and organizations to work with us, we offer training and resources from the Indian Special Projects fund.

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 try different skills and introduced me to Karate, my skill to earn my livelihood”- Sudhir Yadav, Salaam Balak Trust

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

"Being from a middle class family where the ultimate fate of a girl is to get married, I always thought different. I wanted to be self-reliant and do something valuable. Doing the Award levels of Bronze and Silver and now Gold have made me realise my strengths, taught me to take up challenges, to shoulder responisbilities, to lead a disciplined life and to run my dreams to reality." Dolly Jha- Sri Sarada Math

"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, girlsʼ education and more." Radha- Olcott Memorial School