Why should privilege and social identity decide who gets access to opportunity?
This question drives our work.
Incentive Foundation responds to inequity by creating structured, long-term pathways of opportunity. Our programs are designed to address both economic barriers and social constraints, ensuring that skill-building leads to sustainable livelihoods, independence, and sustained participation.
our Mission
To expand access to livelihoods, learning, and creative practice by building skills, strengthening agency, and enabling long-term opportunity for women and youth from underserved communities.
our vision
A more equitable society where women and young people, regardless of geography or social identity, can participate meaningfully in the workforce, and become productive citizens of society.
Our work began in Bandhwari, Haryana, an urban village shaped by limited livelihood opportunities, rigid gender norms, and environmental stress as the landfill site for Gurgaon and Faridabad.
Early interventions focused on strengthening the local ecosystem through
School infrastructure upgrades in the only local government school
After-school, and scholarship programs for girls
Health camps and vaccination drives
As our engagement deepened, it became clear that economic agency for women was central to long-term change. This led to the creation of the Bandhwari Women’s Project, a livelihood-focused intervention rooted in skill-building, enterprise, and empowerment.
Recognising that exclusion also exists within urban creative spaces, we launched Bargad, a fully funded theatre fellowship that democratizes access to arts education for youth from historically marginalised communities.
Across contexts, our work remains anchored in one belief that access must lead to agency, and agency, to opportunity.
2005: Inception
Incentive Foundation was established by the late Anup Nair, who used his travel expertise to drive philanthropy and promote equity in rural communities
Interventions for infrastructure upgrade at Bandhwari Govt School
2005-2010: Working with the the local village School
2010-2015: Launch of After-School Program
Adolescent girls enrolled in National Open School through IF support
The Read To Me (RTM) English learning program was launched
2015-2020: English Helper Program Introduced
2020: COVID-19 Response
FIU-IBHS mobilises support for the sale of 1000 masks stitched by Bandhwari women
Expanding market access for women artisans and strengthening the Bargad Theatre Fellowship
2021- Present