Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR Strategy & Planning
End-to-end planning of CSR themes, projects, implementation partners, geography, budgets and timelines, with a board-ready implementation roadmap.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000
- Typical duration
- 21 days
Service overview
A strategy service for companies wanting to decide not merely how much to spend but where and how to spend it, within the company's approved CSR framework.
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
Companies with recurring CSR budgets and those moving from ad hoc donations to structured projects.
The service is useful when preparing the annual CSR budget and reviewing project performance.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
WCP professionals would map the company's permitted CSR areas, review proposed geographies and partners, assess practical feasibility and build an implementation roadmap.
How the work would proceed:
- WCP professionals would understand the company's priorities, budget and existing project record, then identify themes and geographies that fit the approved CSR framework
- They would compare proposed initiatives, assess partner capability from available information and build an implementation roadmap with milestones and monitoring responsibilities
- Any external needs assessment or field research should be separately scoped rather than assumed to be included
Key deliverables
- CSR strategy
- Priority themes
- Project pipeline
- Partner shortlist
- Implementation roadmap
- Monitoring framework
Standard turnaround time
2–4 weeks for a substantive strategy exercise.
Field visits or external assessments, if scoped, can extend the timeline.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
Government fees: No government fee for strategic advisory.
Key outcomes: A board-ready CSR strategy and implementation plan.
Forms & filings involved
No fixed statutory form. Project approvals and reporting are handled separately.
Documents required
- Prior CSR reports
- Policy
- Budget
- Business footprint
- Existing partner information
What we need from you
Company priorities, geographic footprint and appetite for long-term projects.
Important conditions
A project must be checked for eligibility before money is committed.
External needs assessment or field research is not assumed to be included unless separately scoped.
Additional information
Implementing partners are checked for a valid CSR-1 registration number with the MCA, track record and documentation before they are shortlisted; deeper partner due diligence, such as field verification, can be added to the scope.
The strategy also takes into account implementing-agency eligibility, the 5% cap on administrative overheads and the treatment of ongoing projects.
The estimated cost covers indicative professional fees only. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are payable at actuals.
How it works
- 1. Raise a service enquiry describing your requirement.
- 2. A Relationship Manager reviews it and opens it for bidding.
- 3. Pay into escrow and assign the professional you select.
- 4. Track progress to completion, then accept and release payment.
Frequently asked questions
What does a CSR strategy include?
Priority themes, eligible Schedule VII projects, geographies, implementation partners, multi-year budgets, timelines and a monitoring framework the board can approve.
Can a company choose its own CSR causes?
Yes, as long as the activities fall within Schedule VII and are not undertaken in the normal course of business or only for employees.
How are implementing partners chosen?
Partners must be registered with the MCA in Form CSR-1; they are then assessed on track record, governance, financial health and project fit.
How long does a CSR strategy exercise take?
Usually 2–4 weeks, longer if field visits or external needs assessments are included.