Udyam Abhilasha: Objectives, Implementation, Impact

Udyam Abhilasha project was launched on Gandhi Jayanti, i.e. 2 October 2018, in 115 aspirational districts to be operative from 3-7 October 2018. It leverages the Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) network within the Common Services Centre (CSC) 2.0 scheme to make the rural youth understand entrepreneurship concepts. 

CSC-VLEs play the role of a catalyst under this project for these aspiring entrepreneurs and provide them training, education in business literacy, support to establish new units, assist them in availing loans and make them aware of various government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand Up India Scheme, etc. 

The Udyam Abhilasha project creates and strengthens a cadre of more than 800 trainers to facilitate entrepreneurship training for aspiring youths across 115 districts to become entrepreneurs. It aims to empower rural communities with enhanced aspirations and preparedness towards realising newer business opportunities for livelihood.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) partnered with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and CSC Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT to implement this project. It will also tie up with NABARD, banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), District Industries Centres (DICs), state governments, etc., to implement the project.

Objectives of Udyam Abhilasha

• Transforming 115 aspirational districts across 28 states witnessing the least progress in certain development parameters
• Train around 15,000 youth to provide a life of dignity by having a source of livelihood
• Provide orientation to youth about several dimensions of entrepreneurship
• Expecting at least 20% of the youth to be able to start their own enterprises
• Expecting around 10 % of participants to become Udyami Mitra and avail of a MUDRA loan
• Develop citizens’ awareness and knowledge towards entrepreneurship to access financial capital, marketing for business, etc
• Change citizens’ employment status, aspirations, efforts, needs, and challenges to seek newer business opportunities
• Inspire rural youth to be entrepreneurs by assisting them in setting up their own enterprises
• Impart training through digital mediums across the country
• Create business opportunities for CSC-VLEs
• Focus on women aspirants in districts to encourage women entrepreneurship
• Assist participants in availing credit facilities from banks to set up their own enterprises

Implementation of Udyam Abhilasha

The Udyam Abhilasha project was implemented in 115 aspirational districts in 2018. Around 18,000 youths were provided training with 15 hours of intensive input to the participants spread over five days. A certificate was also issued to the participants who had attended all five days of the session.

Engaged banks, NBFCs, NABARD, SFBs, state governments, DICs and district administrations ensured multifield impact. CSC-Village Level entrepreneurs (VLEs) provided handholding support to the aspirants for setting up new units by assisting them in availing loans for their enterprises. They created awareness amongst the youth about different initiatives of the Government of India. 

Impact of Udyam Abhilasha

The percentage of participants in the Udyam Abhilasha project in 115 aspirational districts spread across 28 states are as follows:

• 34% female participants
• 68% of participants in the age group of 20-30 years 
• 28% of participants in the age group of 31-40 years
• 45% of participants belonged to the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, 14% of participants belonged to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 13% to Scheduled Caste (SC)

Out of all the participants, about 34% were willing to spend less than Rs.10,000, whereas 25% were willing to spend more than Rs.50,000 as their own investment for establishing their enterprise.