Andhra Pradesh | Google India has partnered with Sambhav Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on livelihood enablement through community-led initiatives, on a targeted economic empowerment and digital inclusion programme for 1,000 individuals from the fisherfolk community in Rambilli and the surrounding coastal belt of Visakhapatnam. The initiative seeks to modernise traditional marine livelihoods, improve earning opportunities, and help local communities participate in the region’s emerging economic growth story.
The programme is expected to be delivered through an on-ground camp and onsite engagement model. It will begin with a baseline needs assessment, followed by customised training modules aligned to local occupational realities and regional needs.
Participants are expected to receive support in digital and financial literacy, including UPI adoption, online banking, digital payments, and easier access to welfare schemes. The programme will also introduce technology-enabled fishing practices such as GPS navigation tools, weather forecasting systems, and safer sea-readiness methods aimed at improving efficiency and reducing risk.
Another key component will focus on cold-chain management, fish handling, grading, preservation, packaging, and value-added processing, helping fisherfolk move beyond raw catch sales toward stronger earning potential. Market linkage efforts are also expected to reduce dependence on middlemen through cooperative models and direct buyer access.
Dr. Gayathri Vasudevan, Chief Impact Officer, Sambhav Foundation, said, “For India’s coastal communities, the challenge today is not simply livelihood access, but livelihood resilience. Traditional occupations are under pressure from changing markets, climate uncertainty, and rapid digitalisation. What communities need are practical tools that aid them in making grounded decisions, improve their economic potential from existing ecosystems, and participate in growth without being displaced by it. When skilling, technology, and market access are rooted in local realities, they can create durable economic confidence for households that have long remained underserved.”
The project has been designed as a phased intervention rather than a one-time engagement, with continued presence in Rambilli linked to on-ground outcomes. Progressive learning modules, refresher sessions, expanding village outreach, and a focus on wider community adoption are expected to drive sustained behavioural change and long-term impact.
Additionally, Sambhav Foundation brings an existing footprint in Andhra Pradesh across skilling, education, sanitation, and economic inclusion initiatives spanning multiple districts, providing strong on-ground implementation capability.