In a decisive move towards bolstering India’s skilling and entrepreneurship landscape, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Centre for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Development and deAsra Centre of Excellence (CEED) at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics have forged an impactful partnership. Sealing this collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 8, 2023, the two entities aim to share knowledge and expertise to drive substantial enhancements in the country’s entrepreneurial sphere.

This landmark collaboration between NSDC and the Gokhale Institute embodies a shared commitment to fortify the foundation of skilling and entrepreneurship across India, with a distinct focus on serving underserved communities and regions. The significance of this partnership resonates deeply in its collective pledge to address the unique needs and challenges faced by these segments of society.

The signing event saw Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC, and Col Kapil Jodh, Registrar of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, leading the charge. The virtual ceremony witnessed the presence of Dr. Ajit Ranade, Vice-Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pradnya Godbole, Director of CEED and deAsra CoE for Nano-entrepreneurship, as well as Dr. Archana Patankar, Senior Consultant to CEO’s Office at NSDC, among others.

Dr. Ajit Ranade, in his address during the ceremony, emphasized the alignment of objectives between the Center and NSDC, expressing confidence in the potential of this collaboration. He said, “Skilling serves as an instrumental tool to achieve our ultimate objectives. Learning not just from failures but also from successes is crucial to replicate and further expand our achievements using similar means.”

Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC, underscored the importance of focusing not only on skilling but also on self-employment and entrepreneurship. He emphasised, “Skilling alone cannot be the solution. Our partnership aims to cultivate expertise in this domain and fortify ongoing efforts.”

The closing remarks came from Pradnya Godbole, Director of CEED and CEO of deAsra Foundation, who highlighted the collaborative strength of NSDC, CEED, and the deAsra CoE for Nano-entrepreneurship. She affirmed, “The collective efforts of these entities will create a robust ecosystem, essential for empowering unorganized enterprises and MSMEs to initiate and amplify their operations.”

The collaboration’s core thrust lies in providing essential knowledge and advocacy support to grassroots institutions, establishing vital market linkages and industry connections for artisans, village industries, and MSMEs. The overarching goal is to catalyze pragmatic solutions, stimulate economic activities, and serve the larger public interest. By boosting the growth of MSMEs, the partnership endeavors to drive job creation and elevate household income levels through concerted efforts.

This collaboration indicates towards endeavours of action research, delving into innovative microfinance models for MSMEs’ access to finance, defining and classifying nano-entrepreneurs, and identifying key indicators and an enabling environment for their growth. Additionally, it aims to assess the readiness of youth for self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Through this alliance, NSDC and CEED signal a transformational trajectory for skilling and entrepreneurship in India, charting a course toward inclusive growth and sustainable economic empowerment.