Project Buniyaad – Atmanirbharta ka Aadhar

About the Initiative

Project Buniyaad, launched in February 2024, is a flagship initiative of Honda India Foundation (HIF) designed to create a strong foundation for Atmanirbharta (self reliance) among underprivileged and unemployed youth. The program equips young individuals with hospitality sector skills, enabling them to build sustainable careers in reputed hotels across India and abroad.

The initiative focuses on youth aged 18- 26 years from marginalized communities in regions of national priority, specifically the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir. These regions often face limited livelihood opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, migration pressures, and exposure to high risk informal work. Project Buniyaad provides a viable, dignified alternative by offering industry-aligned hospitality training with the assurance of 100% placement.

The program strengthens confidence, improves self-reliance, and contributes to regional stability—transforming vulnerable youth into globally employable professionals.

Program Scale & Impact (Year-wise Growth)

Year 1 (Feb 2024 - Jan 2025)

Regions: Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur
Youth Benefitted: 558 trainees
Highlights:

First-ever training centers set up in high-priority zones
Strong mobilization through state missions
Successful placements across premium hotel brands

Year 2 (FY 2024–25)

Expansion to 5 More States:

Nagaland
Mizoram
Assam
Meghalaya
Arunachal Pradesh

Youth Benefitted: 1,000 trainees
Highlights:

Program footprint expanded to seven states
Growing international placement network (UAE, Japan)
Enhanced training infrastructure (smart classrooms introduced in Mizoram)

Year 3 (FY 2025–26)

Further Expansion:

Sikkim added
Total coverage: 8 states
(J&K, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim)

Youth Benefitting: 1,500 trainees
Highlights:

Largest single-year scale in the program’s journey
International placement success crosses 70+ candidates
Continued gender empowerment with over 60% women participants

Global Placement Footprint

India
Taj • Oberoi • Leela • ITC • Hyatt • Radisson

UAE
Park Hyatt Dubai • Taj Dubai • Anantara • Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi

Japan
Park Hyatt Tokyo

With 100% placement, Project Buniyaad has created a global hospitality pipeline for youth from India’s most underserved regions.

Why These Regions? (National Priority Focus)

Honda India Foundation selected the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir because these regions face:

High unemployment
Inadequate infrastructure
Limited access to formal training
Risk of exploitation, including trafficking and drug peddling
Limited exposure to national job markets

Yet, the youth here possess remarkable strengths:

Exceptional communication skills
Natural service mindset
High adaptability and eagerness to grow
Risk of exploitation, including trafficking and drug peddling
Limited exposure to national job markets

This makes them exceptionally suited for hospitality careers.

How the Program Works

2 Month Hospitality Training

Delivered through Visan Foundation, the curriculum covers:

Customer service & guest handling
Housekeeping operations
F&B service
Grooming & etiquette
Soft skills, communication & workplace behaviour
Interview preparation
Pre-placement counselling

Training is industry-certified by the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC).

Four-Pillar Partnership Model

Partner	Role
Honda India Foundation	Funding + program stewardship
State Governments	Infrastructure, mobilization via SRLMs, Youth Commissions, Skill Missions
Visan Foundation	2 month hospitality training & student handholding
THSC	National-level certification
Hotel Partners	Domestic & international placements