Lighthouse Communities Foundation Lists on BSE Social Stock Exchange to Expand Youth Livelihood Programmes

Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF), a non-profit organisation focused on improving employment opportunities for underserved young people, has listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange’s (BSE) Social Stock Exchange (SSE). The move will help the foundation raise funds to expand its livelihood initiatives, with an immediate focus on supporting 500 young people in Pune.

Finding a suitable job involves more than acquiring technical skills. Young people also need to understand their strengths, explore career options and develop the confidence to pursue employment opportunities. Lighthouse Communities Foundation addresses these needs through programmes that combine career guidance, vocational training and connections with employers.

The foundation’s listing follows a public issue of Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments conducted between September 30 and October 14, 2026. The milestone was marked at a bell-ringing ceremony at BSE on October 29, attended by government representatives, corporate partners, philanthropic organisations and the foundation’s leadership.

A New Funding Avenue for Social Impact

The listing gives Lighthouse Communities Foundation access to a regulated platform where companies, corporate social responsibility (CSR) partners and other supporters can contribute towards its social development programmes.

The foundation raised funds through Zero Coupon Zero Principal instruments, which differ from conventional financial investments. These instruments do not offer interest payments or repayment of the principal amount. Instead, contributors provide funds to support specific social objectives.

Organisations listed on the Social Stock Exchange are also required to disclose how they use the funds and report on the outcomes of their initiatives. This framework is intended to improve transparency and help contributors understand the impact of their support.

Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra’s Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, attended the listing ceremony as the chief guest. She highlighted the importance of combining career guidance, skills training and employer connections with transparent funding mechanisms to help young people secure stable employment.

The listing comes as LCF looks to expand its programme model, which brings together government infrastructure and corporate funding to deliver livelihood initiatives.

Building Career Confidence and Job-Ready Skills

Lighthouse Communities Foundation’s Lighthouse programme helps young people identify their interests, strengths and career aspirations before selecting a vocational training course. It works with partner organisations to connect participants with training opportunities that match employment demand.

Established in 2015, the foundation has reached more than 2.9 lakh young people across six states. Its Lighthouse programme currently operates through 51 centres, with women accounting for nearly 60% of enrolments.

According to the foundation, 77% of young people placed through its programmes continue to be employed one year after securing a job.

The organisation’s approach relies on collaboration between state and local governments, which provide infrastructure, and corporate partners, which support programme funding and implementation.

Dr Ganesh Natarajan, Co-Founder and Chairman of Lighthouse Communities Foundation, described the BSE listing as an important milestone in the organisation’s journey. He acknowledged the role played by young participants, partner organisations, companies and government bodies in supporting its work.

Natarajan said the foundation aims to reach one million young people across India, helping them identify and pursue career paths that align with their ambitions.

Pune to Receive Support from the Latest Fundraising Initiative

The proceeds from the public issue will support the foundation’s programmes in Pune. The immediate objective is to help 500 young people improve their career awareness, build confidence and develop the skills needed to enter and remain in the workforce.

In Maharashtra, LCF works with the state government’s Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department and the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training. The partnership operates under a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2023.

As part of this collaboration, the foundation supports a Lighthouse centre at ITI Mulund and Model Career Centres in Thane and Nagpur.

Together, these initiatives have provided career counselling to more than 5,500 young people, skills training to over 2,075 participants and placement support to more than 3,200 people.

The next phase of the programme is expected to extend its reach to additional Model Career Centres and industrial training institutes, including institutions in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Amravati.

Linking Funding to Measurable Outcomes

Lighthouse Communities Foundation’s listing on the Social Stock Exchange provides another avenue to mobilise resources for programmes aimed at improving access to employment and sustainable livelihoods.

The foundation will report its progress through the exchange’s disclosure framework, allowing stakeholders to track how the funds are being used and what results the programmes achieve.

By combining career counselling, vocational training, employer connections and transparent funding, LCF aims to expand its reach and help more young people move towards stable employment. Its immediate target in Pune is one step towards its broader ambition of reaching one million young people nationwide.