Geetanjali, a single mother, runs a thriving beauty parlour while ensuring her daughter receives a steady education. Zasmin, a transgender entrepreneur, is breaking societal barriers and creating employment for others in her community. Benejor, from a tribal hamlet, manages a grocery store and tutors village children. And Jyosnamayee, defying norms, leads a car wash enterprise in a traditionally male-dominated field.

“These stories are not isolated. They are the heartbeat of Swakalpa,” says Sandeep Lanjewar, Director, Palladium India. “Each entrepreneur represents a shift, not just in livelihood, but in identity, confidence, and community transformation.”

Reimagining Entrepreneurship at the Grassroots

Swakalpa, a two-year self-employment and entrepreneurship development initiative in Odisha, India, was led by the Odisha Skill Development Authority in partnership with the World Skill Center funded by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by Palladium.

While much of India’s economic discourse centers around Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Swakalpa drew focus to the nano entrepreneur, individuals at the very base of the enterprise pyramid who often lack access to information, markets, finance, training, or networks.

“We’ve always celebrated unicorns (startups that have a valuation exceeding $1billion) and they are important part of the economy,” Sandeep reflects, “but we forget the nano businesses, the ‘everyday entrepreneurs’ who are quietly holding up the local economy. Swakalpa was designed for them.”

A Holistic Model of Empowerment

Swakalpa was never just a training program. It was a 360-degree entrepreneurship model. The structured approach covered the entire entrepreneurial journey, from mobilisation and onboarding to training and mentoring.

Community mobilisation and entry assessments helped identify motivated candidates, while personalised counselling ensured that the right support was offered. Training modules went beyond the theoretical, blending practical exposure and industry talks with real-world insights.

The real differentiator was the 24-week mentorship program. Mentors supported both the technical aspects such as documentation, and business compliance, as well as the psychological, nurturing confidence, resilience, and the entrepreneurial mindset. They played a pivotal role in enabling access to credit and improving financial literacy. Many entrepreneurs, who started as trainees, now employ others, growing local job ecosystems.

The program organised pitch competitions, market linkage sessions, and Go-To-Market workshops. Entrepreneurs learned how to navigate real-world challenges, build customer trust, and grow sustainably. These experiential learning platforms laid the foundation for more inclusive and impactful enterprise development, a foundation that especially empowered women to lead businesses in spaces they had previously been excluded from.

Women at the Center of the Story

Swakalpa prioritised women as leaders of change. In rural Odisha, where many women juggle household duties and societal restrictions, the program tailored learning to their realities. Sessions were aligned with domestic schedules, and local delivery partners helped build trust with families and communities.

The impact was profound. By the programme’s conclusion, 70% of the supported businesses were women-led, an outcome that not only far surpassed the original target of 25%, but also signalled a broader shift in how women in rural Odisha are reclaiming economic agency and visibility.

An Inclusive and Equitable Model

Beyond gender, Swakalpa actively worked to include marginalized communities – transgender individuals, tribal groups, and aspirants from historically underserved districts. About 30% of Swakalpa-supported businesses are led by entrepreneurs from such communities.

“Inclusion cannot be a footnote. It has to be part of the design and dedicated efforts have to be aligned to include all parts of communities,” emphasises Sandeep. “When you empower the most excluded, the system becomes stronger for everyone.”

Lasting Impact of Swakalpa

Swakalpa’s legacy is not only etched in inspiring stories but in its outcomes across the state of Odisha.

Over 10,000 young individuals from rural and semi-urban regions, many of them first-generation entrepreneurs, underwent the programme. The project led to the formalization of 1,260 micro-enterprises, many of which are now fully compliant, credit-linked, and generating consistent revenue. These businesses have collectively helped mobilise credit worth nearly USD 190,000, unlocking new financial opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs.

The ripple effects have been substantial. In just the past six months, Swakalpa-supported businesses have generated an estimated USD 2.5 to 2.9 million in economic activity, directly contributing to Odisha’s GDP. With proper mentoring, market access, and ecosystem support, this number is projected to grow exponentially reaching between USD 17.6 to 23.4 million over the next three years.

Sandeep highlights, “Perhaps most inspiring is the secondary impact: more than 700 new jobs have been created by these entrepreneurs, many of whom are now seen as community role models. They’re not just earning, they’re employing, mentoring, and uplifting others around them.”

Swakalpa's true impact goes beyond statistics, as it has nurtured a diverse range of eco-friendly and innovative enterprises that showcase traditional art and culture. By prioritising sustainability and utilising natural materials, these businesses embody a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship and preservation.

A Model for Policy and Replication

As Swakalpa concludes its current cycle, it has become a powerful policy blueprint. It integrates community outreach, gender-sensitive training, ecosystem collaboration, and sustained post-training support, all at the doorstep of underserved populations.

“Swakalpa is proof that scalable solutions don’t need skyscrapers,” says Amit Patjoshi, CEO, Palladium India. “They need empathy, structure, and belief in people’s potential. Swakalpa didn’t just teach people how to run a business. It showed them that they could lead lives of dignity, pride, and possibility and most importantly, gave them the independence they needed. And that changes everything.”