Sangam Collaborative: Six foundations join hands to strengthen public systems across 5 states

The Sangam Collaborative launched in India to support long-term improvements in health, education and nutrition across Jharkhand, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bihar. The initiative will work with governments and implementation partners to strengthen public systems and improve the delivery of essential services to underserved communities.

The collaborative brings together Piramal Foundation, Gates Foundation, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, Dhanam Foundation, Surgo Foundation and Children's Investment Fund Foundation as founding partners. According to the collaborative, an estimated 70 million people across the five states experience multidimensional poverty.

The initiative was launched at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Ajay Piramal, Chairman of Piramal Foundation; Mark Suzman, CEO of Gates Foundation; and Amit Chandra, Co-Founder of A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, attended the launch event.

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Sangam Collaborative to strengthen public systems

The Sangam Collaborative will work alongside governments and local technical experts to improve how basic services such as healthcare and education are delivered. Its focus will include strengthening institutional capabilities, leadership, talent, processes and data systems.

The initiative aims to improve the quality, reach, consistency, equity and inclusivity of public services while supporting delivery at scale. It will bring together philanthropic organisations, technical experts and implementation partners to support government-led development efforts.

The collaborative said its approach is based on evidence that sustained cooperation between governments, philanthropic organisations and implementation partners can lead to measurable improvements in human development.

Bihar model inspires collaboration

The initiative draws on long-term work in Bihar involving the state government, Gates Foundation, Piramal Foundation and other partners. The collaboration has focused on strengthening public health institutions, frontline capabilities and data systems in the state.

Ajay Piramal, chairman of the Piramal Foundation, said that lasting change requires strengthening public systems that directly affect people's lives.

Piramal said, “Lasting change comes when we strengthen the public systems that touch people’s everyday lives. Guided by Sewa Bhaav, the spirit of service, Piramal Foundation has chosen to work alongside government and communities, with humility and a long-term commitment to creating meaningful impact at scale.”

He added, “We believe India’s most complex challenges cannot be solved by any one institution. They require us to bring together the strengths of philanthropy, government and institutions across India and the world. By convening these capabilities across five priority states, home to 70 million people experiencing multidimensional poverty, we hope to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive and more prosperous Viksit Bharat.”

Mark Suzman, CEO of Gates Foundation, said India has made significant progress in reducing multidimensional poverty over the past decade, supported by government-led programmes, improvements in public delivery systems and the use of technology and innovation.

Suzman said, “The Gates Foundation remains committed to our longstanding partnership in India and to supporting the country’s continued development progress through initiatives such as the Sangam Collaborative.”

Focus on communities and poverty reduction

Amit Chandra, Co-Founder of A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, said addressing poverty at the scale seen in the target states requires collaboration between government, philanthropy and civil society.

Chandra said, “Poverty at the scale in the target states cannot be solved by isolated acts of philanthropy. We have to combine the scale of government, with the risk capital and agility of philanthropy, and the last-mile capabilities of civil society.”

He added, “Done well, this collaborative can become a powerful force multiplier—building institutions and solutions that improve millions of lives and accelerate India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat."

Ram Shriram, president of Dhanam Foundation, said the complexity of multidimensional poverty requires collective action and long-term commitment.

He said, “Through the Sangam Collaborative, we look forward to supporting collaborative efforts that strengthen communities, improve service delivery and create opportunities for vulnerable populations to thrive.”

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Hampton highlights Sangam’s development focus.

Kate Hampton, CEO of Children's Investment Fund Foundation, said the collaborative can build on India's progress in strengthening public systems.

Hampton said, “India has shown that transformative progress is possible when governments, philanthropies and partners work together with a long-term commitment to strengthening public systems.”

He added, “The Sangam Collaborative is an exciting opportunity to build on that momentum and help millions of people access better health, nutrition, education and sustainable livelihoods, while expanding opportunities for women and girls to thrive. By investing in stronger systems, leadership and capabilities, we can accelerate pathways out of poverty at scale and generate lessons that can benefit communities far beyond India.”

The collaborative will also focus on expanding opportunities for women and girls and generating lessons that could support development efforts beyond the five priority states.