The Swavalambane programme, launched in June 2022, is a collaborative initiative by the NSRCEL of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Sanjeevini—Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society. It aims to empower rural women entrepreneurs in Karnataka by helping them develop sustainable business models, increase revenues by 15 percent, and create local employment opportunities.
150 rural self-help group women entrepreneurs from 26 districts out of 40,138 applicants in Karnataka were selected for the Swavalambane programme, which offers customized support in marketing, financial management, and mentorship. The programme has significantly impacted 12 business sectors, with food and food products having the highest representation with 54 entrepreneurs, plate making and tailoring with 17 entrepreneurs, and handicrafts with 13 entrepreneurs. Applicants have shown interest from states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Shobharani, a cook from H. Basavanahalli village, started P.R.K. Products, a homemade papads business. She gained a significant annual turnover of Rs 14 lakh through the Swavalambane programme, which provided a grant of Rs 10 lakh to purchase essential machinery and a solar drying unit. The programme helped Shobharani transform her small home-based business into a thriving enterprise.
Roopa Gajendra Kolekar, a Uttara Kannada entrepreneur, successfully scaled up her cold-pressed oil business, Amba Oil Mill, by receiving a soft loan of Rs 3 lakh and mentorship from the programme.
