· The Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programmes (MSDPs) address the needs of marginalized groups such as women, SC/ST communities, minorities, and persons with disabilities in rural areas, including Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bangalore Rural.
Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has launched an impactful three-year initiative aimed at transforming the lives of 3,600 disadvantaged individuals, including youth and women, across Karnataka. This programme is a significant part of HAL's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, focusing on supporting entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programmes (MSDPs) address the needs of marginalized groups such as women, SC/ST communities, minorities, and persons with disabilities in rural areas, including Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bangalore Rural. By providing entrepreneurship awareness, skill development training, and enterprise support, the initiative empowers participants to become self-reliant and economically independent.
The programme has several key objectives. It aims to enhance livelihood opportunities by providing technical training in diverse fields such as agriculture, food processing, sericulture, jute bag manufacturing, beauty care, and multipurpose mechanical trades. It also supports entrepreneurship through mentorship, market linkages, credit support, and enterprise promotion. By focusing on technically accessible and economically viable projects, the initiative ensures practical and sustainable outcomes for beneficiaries.
“Through skill development, market linkages, access to credit, enterprise promotion, and compliance training, the programme fosters self-sufficiency, enabling beneficiaries to generate income independently. By equipping individuals with practical skills and the tools needed for long-term success, the program aims to help them break free from dependency and create resilient, independent livelihoods for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.
This initiative resonates with the national agendas of "Make in India" and "Vocal for Local." The focus on backward and forward linkages, mentorship, and market access ensures sustainable growth for participants while contributing to the local economy.
“EDII plays a critical role in implementing the programme. Awareness creation is a foundational component, with the institute engaging potential entrepreneurs through counselling, mentoring, and collaboration with community organisations. Capacity building is at the core of the initiative, offering skill development and entrepreneurship training tailored to the specific needs of disadvantaged individuals. The programme also includes guidance for enterprise promotion, preparation of viable project reports, and backward and forward linkages to ensure enterprise sustainability.” said, Dr. Raman Gujral, Professor & Director, Dept. of Projects, Corporate & Regional Director, Southern Regional Office.
Till now, the programme has achieved remarkable milestones. EDII has conducted 137 Entrepreneurship Awareness programmes and 83 advanced skill training sessions in domains such as food processing, fashion technology, jute bag manufacturing, and more. Over 3,400 individuals have been trained, and 580 new enterprises have been established. Beneficiaries have seen an average income increase of 10%, leading to significant socio-economic improvements within their communities. Establishment of trade specific Training cum production centers in fashion technology / jute Manufacturing / Food processing to extend infrastructure facilities and round the clock master trainer guidance leads to ‘empowerment of beneficiaries through enterprise promotion’.
“The MSDP focuses on marginalised communities that have limited access to resources, training, and financial support. EDII’s strength lies in its structured training approach that blends both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Their deep understanding of regional socio-economic landscapes enables them to tailor solutions to the unique needs of different communities, ensuring greater success. EDII also supports through mentorship, networking, and guidance that can help turn entrepreneurial dreams into tangible businesses.” said A. L. N. Prasad, Programme Director and Assistant Professor, EDII
EDII's structured training approach combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Their deep understanding of regional socio-economic challenges ensures tailored solutions for beneficiaries, addressing their unique needs.
The partnership between EDII and HAL demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration in creating sustainable livelihoods for disadvantaged communities. By providing comprehensive skill development, entrepreneurial training, and enterprise support, the programme empowers individuals to overcome socio-economic barriers and achieve self-reliance. The remarkable achievements of this initiative not only uplift marginalized groups but also contribute to India’s broader goals of fostering local entrepreneurship, promoting inclusive growth, and building a skilled workforce.
As this programme continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the potential of targeted skill development initiatives in driving meaningful change, shaping resilient communities, and strengthening the local economy.
