Buimerc India Foundation

Buimerc India Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Kochi, Kerala, India. It was established in 2007 as the philanthropic arm of the Buimerc Group and undertakes projects in education, healthcare, environmental conservation, animal welfare, disability services, geriatric and child welfare, and cultural preservation.

History

The foundation was set up in 2007 by R. Balachandran. Its initial work focused on education and welfare activities in under-resourced areas. Over time, its activities expanded to include healthcare services, environmental initiatives, and programs in rural and tribal communities. By 2022, BIF reported operations in several Indian states.

Areas of work

BIF has supported school infrastructure projects, literacy programs, and vocational training in different parts of India. It has also renovated the Anganwadi centres and awarded scholarships.
In 2025, the foundation launched a three-year mangrove restoration project with the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation along a 10-kilometre stretch of the Vypeen coast in Kerala. Other projects have included reforestation in Wayanad with Forest First Samithi, afforestation work in Mathura with Wildlife SOS, and conservation programs with the Bombay [Natural History Society] and the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences.
In healthcare, BIF has collaborated with Aster Medcity’s ASK Foundation and Pallium India on medical and palliative care. It has also worked with the VIT-AP Technology Business Incubation Foundation on the POHA project, which develops prosthetic devices. Additional programmes have included disability services, sports for children with cerebral palsy, and activities with Arike.
The foundation has supported cultural heritage projects such as Kalaripayattu, a martial art of Kerala. It has also partnered with Indian [Institute of Management Udaipur|IIM Udaipur] on the Crafts Sustainability Incubation Program and has participated in local infrastructure schemes with municipal authorities.