The Gender Enabling Network of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GENIE) project, initiated by TREC-STEP (Tiruchirappalli Regional Engineering College - Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park), has been instrumental in promoting women-led climate ventures in India. The project honored women entrepreneurs and civil society organizations in an event held in Trichy who are contributing towards a green and sustainable environment.
10 female entrepreneurs and organizations were felicitated by Delphine Brissonneau, Senior Programme Manager of the European Delegation to India and Bhutan during the event. The winners were honored for launching innovative products promoting reusing and recycling concepts. The award ceremony was a part of the National Conference on 'Gender, Innovation, and Enterprise Promotion'.
The GENIE project, funded by the European Union, empowers women entrepreneurs and civil society organizations to combat climate change through sustainable business practices. So far, 9 crores have been funded on the project, 90 per cent from the EU & 10 per cent from TREC-STEP.
The Executive Director of TREC-STEP RMP Jawahar said that the GENIE project was launched in 2020, and since its establishment it has supported 472 women-focused civil society organizations in eight states and 54 districts, nurturing 1,433 women-led climate ventures in Tamil Nadu, Kerela, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Tamil Nadu leads with 1,200 entrepreneurs creating green jobs. The project offers capacity development programs, ICT platforms, and business incubation support.
Executive Director Jawahar mentioned, "Through the project, we upskilled and supported women entrepreneurs to benefit people till the tail-end. In Tamil Nadu alone, around 1,106 women entrepreneurs from 26 districts were nurtured to launch their products promoting sustainable living."
