Bhubaneswar, March 21, 2024: An event aimed at empowering nano entrepreneurs through access to credit was organised here on Thursday by Swakalpa Sahajog.
Swakalpa is a self-employment training and entrepreneurship development program by the Odisha Skill Development Authority in collaboration with the World Skills Center and Asian Development Bank, with Palladium as an implementation partner
The Swakalpa Sahajog ‘Small Loans for Bigger Smiles’ event, organised at the World Skill Centre here, served as a beacon of hope and inspiration, underscoring the transformative power of small loans in nurturing thriving businesses and fostering smiles of prosperity, officials said.
Appreciating the event, Subhanga Kishore Das, Deputy Director, World Skill Center, said, “The commendable coordination within Swakalpa initiative is truly inspiring. Witnessing empowered entrepreneurs from every corner of Odisha is a source of immense joy. I extend my heartfelt best wishes to them for their future endeavors. With the passion and dedication of these mentees, I am confident that we will elevate Swakalpa to new heights and achieve even greater success.”
Sandeep Lanjewar, Director Palladium India, also added, “Palladium is honored to spearhead this visionary initiative, uplifting individuals at the grassroots level and integrating them into our nation's economic growth agenda. It's truly gratifying to witness numerous Swakalpa Entrepreneurs receiving recognition from financial institutions as truly bankable businesses. Over 50 of them have now been granted loans by these institutions, a significant step that will propel their businesses to new heights.”
The highlight of the event was the distribution of bank loan sanction letters by Shri Subhanga Kishore Das, Deputy Director of the World Skill Center, to more than 40 mentees infusing them with the capital and confidence needed to expand their horizons. He not only commended the resilience and dedication of Swakalpa mentees but also dedicated the recent Social Impact Award won by OSDA to these budding nano entrepreneurs, further amplifying their recognition and impact.
In a strategic stride towards bolstering the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Swakalpa forged key partnerships with industry giants such as Bharat Pe and Meesho. The collaboration with Bharat Pe provides Swakalpa entrepreneurs with access to a unified QR code for seamless payment solutions and opens avenues for additional financial support, underscoring a commitment to their holistic growth. Similarly, the partnership with Meesho extends a digital platform for Swakalpa mentees to showcase and sell their products effectively, leveraging the power of e-commerce to reach broader markets.
The event also served as a knowledge-sharing platform, with luminaries such as Rajiv Ranjan Guru, Mission Director of the Sustainable Environment Resource Institute, and representatives from institutions like the State Bank of India (SBI) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), imparting invaluable insights to propel the entrepreneurial journey of Swakalpa beneficiaries.
Swakalpa programme aims to equip 10,000 ambitious youth with the necessary skills and knowledge on self-employment & entrepreneurship and establish at least 1,000 micro-businesses in the state of Odisha, ensuring a minimum 25% representation of women at all stages.
