In a significant push towards promoting women entrepreneurship in the northeast, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog launched Swavalambini - a Women Entrepreneurship Programme - in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. This initiative is aimed at empowering female students in select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the northeast by equipping them with the essential entrepreneurial mind-set, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.

For the first time MSDE through Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in collation with NITI Aayog, a structured stage-wise entrepreneurial process—from awareness to development, mentorship, and funding support, has been introduced. Those who successfully build their ventures will be recognized and awarded, ensuring that their success stories inspire others. This initiative will define a clear process for how we nurture and scale women-led enterprises in India. 

The virtual programme witnessed the inauguration of the initiative in 9 colleges and universities by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Govt of India. Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE along with other senior officials of the Ministry were also present during the launch.

The program is being implemented across several HEIs, including Gauhati University, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Kiang Nangba Government College, RiBhoi College, Mizoram University, Government Champai College, Lunglei Government College, Handique College and Dispur College, among others.

Speaking on the transformative initiative, Shri Jayant Chaudhary stated: "The Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Programme is a commitment to empower, enable, and elevate young women as job creators and leaders of tomorrow. The program aims to nurture talent focusing on a region brimming with potential and will provide the support necessary to scale their ideas into sustainable businesses."

"Our government has consistently championed women-led entrepreneurship through key programs like Start-Up India, Stand-Up India, PM Mudra Yojana, and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform. The recently announced Union Budget 2025 further reinforces this commitment, with increased funding and policy support for start-ups, including a 10,000 crore fund and an extension of the 100% tax exemption on start-up profits for another five years. By providing targeted support, mentorship, and funding, Swalambini represents a new chapter in our journey towards women-led entrepreneurship, which is critical to India's transformation," he added.

The initiative aims to provide structured training through the Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP) which introduces 600 female students to entrepreneurship as a viable career option through a 2-day session covering basic entrepreneurial concepts and opportunities. For 300 selected students, the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) offers an intensive 40-hour training covering crucial business aspects such as training and skilling, access to finance, market linkages, compliance and legal support, business services, and networking opportunities. This will be followed by six months of mentorship and handholding support to help participants translate their ideas into sustainable prospects.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has already laid the foundation for an entrepreneurship-driven curriculum by emphasising skill integration, industry collaboration, and hands-on experience. Swalambini will build on this framework, ensuring that young women particularly in North-Eastern states receive the necessary guidance and financial backing to transform their ideas into scalable businesses, unlocking the immense entrepreneurial potential of women in these regions.

Recognising the critical role of educators in promoting an entrepreneurial mind-set, the program will also focus on upskilling the faculty in the HEIs with a 5-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP), enabling them to effectively train and mentor students in entrepreneurship. Faculty members will undergo specialised training modules designed to provide them with the latest industry insights, business incubation strategies, and hands-on coaching techniques.

A unique aspect of the program is the Award to Rewards Initiative, which will celebrate and recognise successful women entrepreneurs emerging from Swalambini. This will act as an inspiration for the next generation of female business leaders, reinforcing the message that women-led enterprises are instrumental in shaping India’s economic future. This program will also utilise workshops, mentoring support, and seed funding to create sustainable women-led enterprises.

The Swavalambini Programme is set to create avenues for women in business, aspiring to see 10% of EDP trainees launch successful enterprises. By instilling a culture of entrepreneurship within HEIs, this initiative is a significant step in the right direction to celebrate and uplift the next generation of women leaders.

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PSF