Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI) formally launched its two Entrepreneurship Support Centres (ESC) for North and South Delhi at an event held at the Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi on February 27, 2023. Under the WEE-GO (Women-owned Enterprise Enablement for Growth & Opportunities) initiative, GFSI will support the growth of 300 early-stage women-owned small businesses by promoting their investment readiness for credit enhancement and digital transformation across Delhi NCR.
A total of three (3) Entrepreneurship Support Centres (ESCs), located in East, South and North of Delhi, will engage with and support the women entrepreneurs through the life cycle of the program. These centres act as a hub for the businesses to access knowledge, technical assistance, and to receive handholding support and mentoring.
Additionally, the centres will periodically host various workshops and networking events for their engagement, learning exchanges and capacity development. The centers will create linkages with key government departments, enterprise promotion agencies and financial institutions, and facilitate their support to women in business.
Speaking on the occasion, Prabhat Labh, CEO of Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, took the attendees and guests through the genesis of Grameen Foundation and its work with women that enhances and positively impacts their livelihoods. His words of encouragement filled the room with hope and light as he said “Every woman has the power to be successful and become a role-model to many entrepreneurs around her. Give her some support and watch her break the glass ceiling”.
A key highlight of the afternoon was an interactive session between diverse industry stakeholders and the women entrepreneurs. Representatives from MSME Development Institute, National Urban Livelihoods Mission (South Delhi, Southeast Delhi, Southwest Delhi, Northwest Delhi), Lead District Office (Northeast Delhi), PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), civil society organisations (CSOs) and Chartered Accountants answered many questions and engaged with the WEE-GO entrepreneurs as they discussed loans, various government and financing schemes, certifications, market linkages, challenges, experiences and much more!
The event also created opportunity for the women entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products. Artist Archana Kumari brought the ancient art of Madhubani to an urban audience through her apparels, and other home decorative products. Apart from gaining knowledge and exposure to the various technical aspects of her business, the event gave her an opportunity to network with other fellow entrepreneurs. She said “This is the very first time I have participated at a forum like this and showcased my work as an artist. I loved this experience and hope to keep coming back to network, learn and share”.
About Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI)
Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI or Grameen), is a not-for-profit organization, registered under Section 8 of the Indian Companies Act 2013. Grameen’s mission is to enable the poor, especially women, to create a world without poverty and hunger. Headquartered in Gurgaon and having ongoing programs in different states, Grameen is a leading social impact organisation working in the domains of Digital Financial Inclusion, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Health and Nutrition and Agriculture based livelihoods.
For media enquiries, please contact. Ronisha Bhattacharyya (Senior Manager- Communications & Documentation) (WEE and Gender), Email: rbhattacharyya@grameenfoundation.in Phone: +91 8697079508.
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