EDII through its strategic partnership with leading corporates has been fostering entrepreneurship, strengthening local enterprises, promoting skill development and creating pathways for inclusive growth. Over the last two months, various activities were conducted across multiple states, empowering rural entrepreneurs, artisans, women, youth and persons with disabilities through capacity building, enterprise support, market linkages and institutional strengthening.
Promoting Enterprise Creation and Growth
The Institute inaugurated the Eco Action Learning Centre (ELC) in Bengaluru on April 28, 2026. The Centre was inaugurated by Ms. Manisha Bhattacharya, Managing Director, Corporate Citizenship, Accenture; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII; Dr. Raman Gujral, Professor & Director – Department of CSR Partnerships, EDII; and Mr. Samuel Moses Amarnath, Head, WeAct, EDII.
The Eco Action Learning Centre will serve as a hands-on training platform under the Micro Skill Development programme (MSDP), enabling rural entrepreneurs to gain real-time exposure to eco-friendly production systems and small-scale enterprise operations.
Promoting Enterprise Creation and Growth
Empowering Communities through Skill Building
Under Project LIC HFL Sangam, supported by LIC Housing Finance Limited, two Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programmes were conducted on organic compost and banana fibre handicraft, reaching out 50 participants. An Entrepreneurship Growth Programme (EGP) was also conducted for 25 participants, while 100 beneficiaries received support for UDYAM registration.
Preserving Heritage and Creating Livelihoods
HandMade in India (HMI), supported by HSBC: EDII continued to support artisans through design innovation, branding and market access interventions. Under the project three Design Development Training Programmes were conducted for 30 artisans. The training enabled artisans to develop contemporary products by blending traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. Further support is being provided to 13 artisans for professional product catalogues development, while two Credit Management Programmes benefited 80 participants.
Project Aarohan, supported by Tata Power Mundra: The project focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of traditional artisan enterprises. Four Design Development Training Programmes were undertaken covering Suf, Rabari, Maprame and Handloom weaving, thus enabling 180 artisans to develop more than 240 products. The initiative supported cultural preservation while opening new market opportunities in the fashion and lifestyle sectors. To strengthen enterprise visibility, five artisan-led businesses received branding support, thereby getting empowered to build a stronger market presence. Under the project dedicated support was provided to food-based rural entrepreneurs by obtaining two new FSSAI and renewing four existing licences.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Under Project Sankalp, supported by Standard Chartered, visit to Dharmapuri and Salem on April 8 – 9, 2026, was organized by EDII team. Shri Pinaki Srimany, Associate Vice President (AVP) – Sustainability, Standard Chartered GBS India, reviewed the progress of the programme, interacted with beneficiaries and strengthened institutional support for Micro Skill Development programme (MSDP) initiatives. During the last two months, four exposure visits were organized for completed batches of MSDPs, providing practical industry exposure and market understanding. Additionally Udyam registrations were completed for 18 enterprises (5 group enterprises & 13 individual enterprises), while 15 beneficiaries secured FSSAI registrations.
Under UDAYA 5.0, supported by Tata Communications Ltd. five Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps were conducted in Raigad and Ratnagiri Districts, thus reaching out to more than 200 women including 15 PwDs. Following these programmes, 67 women were selected for advanced entrepreneurship training. Additionally, two Women Entrepreneurship Development Programmes were organized, benefiting 62 participants and strengthening their entrepreneurial capabilities.
Promoting Nonfarm and Agri-allied sector
Project Udyamee 2.0, supported by Utkal Alumina International Ltd. (UAIL), further strengthened entrepreneurship promotion in Odisha. A 12-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme was organized in convergence with District Industries Centre (DIC), Rayagada, thus enhancing entrepreneurial skills of 30 entrepreneurs. Under the project five UDYAM registrations, one FSSAI registration and one pollution certificate for fly-ash bricks unit were facilitated. In addition, 254 aspiring entrepreneurs were sensitized on various entrepreneurial activities under Udyamee 2.0. Additionally one entrepreneurship awareness programme was conducted in collaboration with District Industrial Centre (DIC) at Tikiri, sensitizing 41 participants.
Trade-based Technology Training
Project RISE (Revitalizing Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises), supported by IDBI Bank, focused on strengthening business management capabilities and enterprise expansion. An Enterprise Growth Programme (EGP) conducted at Gokulamunda village Kashipur, Odisha, engaged 29 entrepreneurs, while two ongoing Technology-Based Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (TEDPs) are supporting 68 participants.
To mark successful completion of two TEDPs, certificate and machinery distribution ceremony was organized on May 8, 2026 at Kandogal, Dehradun, Uttarakhand for 57 beneficiaries. The event was graced by officials from IDBI Bank. The officials commended the participants for their dedication and successful completion of the training.
Under the Skills to Succeed – Micro Skill-Preneurship Development Program (MSDP), supported by Accenture Solutions Pvt. Ltd., continuous handholding support, enterprise formalization and digital onboarding initiatives are being undertaken to enhance the sustainability and growth of beneficiary enterprises. Also, under the Project HAL, supported by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), existing enterprises are being strengthened through post-training support, including facilitation of market linkages, credit access and business development services.