Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Program

Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP)

Overview:

• Objective: Promote rural economies through entrepreneurship by supporting non-agricultural businesses via training, finance, mentoring, and community-led institutional collaboration.
• Launch Year: 2016, as a sub-scheme of the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Key Achievements (as of June 30, 2026):

• Support to Rural Businesses: Assisted 432,000 rural enterprises.
• Community Representation: Approximately 86% of entrepreneurs belong to SC, ST, minority, and OBC communities.
• Financial Support: ₹942.09 crore released for the program, a 738% increase from the initial ₹112.39 crore.

Program Components:

• Training and Support: Provides business management training, soft skills development, and business development services.
• Financial Inclusion: Facilitates access to banking services and government schemes like PM Mudra Yojana.
• Community Decision-Making: Funding decisions for local enterprises are made at the community level.

Economic Impact:

• Income Generation: SVEP-supported businesses have contributed 57% to family total income, with average monthly earnings around ₹39,000.
• Profitability: 99% of supported enterprises reported profits, with manufacturing enterprises averaging ₹47,800 per month.
• Savings: 96% of entrepreneurs reported increased savings; 75% of enterprises are owned or managed by women.

Social Inclusion:

• Focus on empowering women, marginalized communities, and first-generation entrepreneurs.
• Training Programs: Community Resource Persons - Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP) train and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, with 60% of CRPs being women.

Implementation Framework:

• State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM): Implemented through SRLMs with an investment of ₹6.5 crore per block and an average investment of ₹27,083 per enterprise.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Quarterly reviews and a centralized Management Information System (MIS) to track performance, fund utilization, and program progress.

Success Stories:

• Example: Bhagyashree Londhe from Maharashtra started a successful spice and pickle business after joining an SHG, receiving a ₹45,000 community enterprise fund loan.
• Example: Poonam from Uttar Pradesh transitioned from an SHG member to a successful CRP-EP, aiding around 40 enterprises after completing a training program.

Conclusion:

SVEP is a significant initiative contributing to rural economic development through entrepreneurship, creating jobs, enhancing livelihoods, and empowering disadvantaged communities. It exemplifies how community-driven efforts can lead to sustainable economic growth and social upliftment. The program aligns with India's vision of becoming a global start-up hub and fostering self-reliant rural economies.