THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Justifying its motto, She Transcends, the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), under the Department of Social Justice, is taking an innovative step to create woman entrepreneurs in all panchayats in the state. Named ‘Sandesh One’, the project aims at generating mass employment at grassroots level by promoting various micro-enterprises.
To be launched on January 12, ‘Sandesh One’ will be a network of 1000-plus women selected from each panchayat in the state who are given training to become entrepreneurs in sectors like agriculture, health care, waste management, renewable energy, safety solutions and so on. The women entrepreneurs network will be set up in all the local bodies of the state initially. KSWDC will provide loan schemes, promotional support and ensure tie-ups with other stake holders in government for the project conceived as a completely entrepreneur-driven venture. ‘’Sandesh One will be another Kerala model for the nation as well as for the rest of the world in social enterprise,’’ Social Justice Minister M K Muneer said.
KSWDC has brought in IL and FS Skills, one of the largest skill development companies of the country.
IL and FS Skills has developed a curriculum with the support of IIM Ahmedabad for the project to train the entrepreneurs under a three-month-long certification programme. After getting trained in entrepreneurial skills and knowledge management, these entrepreneurs will open ‘Sandesh One Centres’ in all panchayats of the state.
The centres will showcase various micro enterprise projects and their high-end solutions that can positively influence the society and improve quality of lives. The women will also provide technology solutions to interested entrepreneurs and help them start enterprises in respective areas.
The project will have the best use of technologies and new age enterprises. Solutions will be packed like products, projects and solutions. Each one of the solutions will be provided by recognised solution providers. ‘’The 1000-plus women will be transformed as socio-economic activists through the project,’’ said Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice Department, K M Abraham.
“Gender equality is ultimately achieved when more and more women are into more and more professions and when their talents and contributions are recognised. The outstanding feature of Sandesh One is that there is zero investment by the government,’’ said KSWDC Managing Director P T M Sunish.