The Government of India’s National eGovernance Plan (NeGP), since 2006, identifies Common Service Centres (CSCs) as the key access points for delivery of various e-governance and business services to citizens in rural and far-flung areas of the country. CSCs offer assisted access to eservices with a focus on enhancing governance, delivering essential government and public utility services, social welfare schemes, financial services, education and skill development programs, health and agriculture services and digital literacy with a host of partnerships and programs.

The major aim of the Udyam Abhilasha project is to make the rural youth understand the concept of entrepreneurship and to empower the communities with enhanced aspirations and preparedness towards realizing newer business opportunities for livelihood. Leveraging the network of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) operating within CSC 2.0 scheme to act of Master Trainers (MTs), Udyam Abhilasha project (launched on Gandhi Jayanthi, Oct 2nd, 2018) was rolled out in 115 Aspirational districts from 3 rd – 7 th October 2018. Around 18,000 rural Indians participated in a baseline survey (pre-participation) and approximately 14,000 of them completed a post-assessment survey. In this context, aligned with goals of the Udyam Abhilasha project and both the individual and collective missions of CSC and SIDBI, our impact assessment study is focused on reaching the following study objectives.

Our study specifically captures the longitudinal impact of the Udyam Abhilasha project (9 months post the training roll out) Impact Assessment Report of Udyam Abhilasha Project.

1. What are the impacts of the Udyam Abhilasha project on citizens across 115 districts? i. Citizens’ knowledge and awareness towards entrepreneurship not limited to access to financial capital, role of marketing for business, etc. ii. Shifts (if any) on citizens’ employment status, efforts, aspirations, challenges and needs for seeking newer business opportunities
2. Develop recommendations for long-term effectiveness of Udyam Abhilasha project: i. Potential revisions to training curriculum for both citizens and VLEs/MTs ii. Continue the sustained engagement with participants to provide long-term handholding support and further their entrepreneurial journeys.