India's rural landscape, often viewed as beset by challenges, holds vast untapped entrepreneurial potential, echoing Prahalad's concept of the "pot of gold at the bottom of the pyramid." Rural entrepreneurship extends beyond traditional sectors, embracing technology and social innovation. Internet-enabled enterprises and social entrepreneurship are reshaping rural economies, fostering connectivity and addressing pressing issues. Institutions like the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) play a pivotal role. With a rich history of engagement in rural development projects, EDII has been at the forefront of driving initiatives aimed at empowering rural communities and fostering economic resilience. The Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (CRE) represents a natural progression of this legacy to catalyse transformative change. Aligned with national priorities, it serves as a hub of innovation and policy advocacy, empowering rural communities and fostering inclusive development through strategic partnerships with academia, policymakers, and development organizations.
Build capacities for access to effective and efficient business support services and resources
Evolve adequate mechanisms, processes and structures that address local needs including finance, technology and market
Converge role of active public, private sector institutions/technical and operational aspects along with market linkages, rural enterprise registry and performance rating systems
Propagate frameworks and models of rural entrepreneurship as relevant to Indian and developing country contexts
Create knowledge repository in the area of rural entrepreneurship
Engage with like-minded institutions, government departments and private sector entities to co-create interventions across different aspects of rural entrepreneurship
Seek partnerships with developmental agencies, corporates and foundations
Create and Disseminate knowledge to relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries for skilling and capacity building
Support in developing actionable plans and policies