BACKGROUND
Many individuals and local organizations in underserved communities such as urban slums are industrious in developing innovative entrepreneurial ideas and initiatives, but may lack the access to the tools and methods to help promote and grow their businesses. Other communities, such as the transgender community, are cut off from opportunities to invest in their entrepreneurial ideas or even seek funding opportunities.
OUR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION INITIATIVE
Our Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative aims to empower people in underserved communities with opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial skills and in turn empower others in their communities through employment generation and other services. Every year, Youngistaan Foundation will conduct different projects to impact different communities, including the transgender community.
The Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation model uses design thinking and will follow these steps:
- needs assessment survey to identify the areas and communities to work in
- release circular inviting expressions of interest in developing entrepreneurial skills
- a 3-month workshop conducted by professionals by multiple sectors introducing candidates to entrepreneurship, innovation, design thinking and select candidates to proceed further
- conduct a boot camp where candidates will come forward with ideas, plans and strategies for their entrepreneurship idea and one candidate will be selected
- funding secured for the final candidate
The key feature of this initiative is its focus on social entrepreneurship for either an individual or a local organization, for example those engaged in electrical or carpentry business or running a chai shop. The initial workshop and boot camp will focus on how candidates can create change within their communities for good. This can include providing learning opportunities, skills-training or employment for people from the community so they can, in turn, create income-generating opportunities of their own.
OUR IMPACT
As an existing partner of Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) and T-HUB, we have worked with young people to enhance their social entrepreneurship through design thinking by hosting masterclasses for hundreds of young people which included an expert panel including professionals such as:
- Nanditha Sethi Founder of The Entrepreneur Zone
- Sruthi Niveditha Program Manager at We Hub
- Anitha and Roopa Rural Entrepreneurs and Co-Founders of Paalaguttapalle Bags
- Vedika Lall Young Entrepreneur and Founder of School ki Ghanti
- Sri Jayesh Ranjan IAS
Feedback from the young participants expressed appreciation for the personal and entrepreneurial characteristics that the masterclass helped them achieve:
“These events and workshops on entrepreneurship were great to listen to, especially from young and rural speakers. The highlight of the session for me was Roopa and Anitha’s advice on self-sustenance, which is crucial for everyone. Lessons on empathy, intuition and a forward-thinking approach through unlearning were helpful lessons from the session. Nanditha Ma’am’s introduction to the concept of Ikigai was also another interesting idea to reflect upon.” Ramya – Undergraduate student
“This was an inspiring and delightful session on entrepreneurship which will definitely help me and others like me to understand my strengths and focus more on passion, while learning the ways to overcome fear and any other kinds of barriers. Special thanks to Jayesh Ranjan Sir for introducing me to the resources provided by Telangana Government for budding entrepreneurs.” Lavanya – Corporate Employee
The Awaken the Entrepreneur in You, Women in Leadership and other masterclasses were live streamed on all social platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Zoom and are available to watch on Youngistaan Foundation’s YouTube channel:
GET INVOLVED
For corporate funding partners, investors or NGO partners who want to get involved with our Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, please contact us at arun@youngistaanfoundation.org.
KEY FACTS
- 45.9% of young people in India are considered employable – India Skills Report 2021
FURTHER READING
Why India Lags Behind In Imparting Skills To Its Workforce – DW
Youngistaan Foundation Program Brochure
