Tata Trusts and Harvard University South Asia Institute (SAI) have joined hands for knowledge creation and capacity building for social and economic empowerment in India. The 18-month research project titled, ‘Livelihood Creation in India through Social Entrepreneurship and Skill Development’ will focus on three key areas including rural livelihood creation (emphasis on the handicrafts and handloom sectors); educational, social and economic empowerment of women; and science and technology-based interventions for poverty alleviation.
With field visits having begun in October 2015, the project will bring together diverse knowledge bases that will contribute to India’s development goals. The purpose of the project will be achieved through research with over 150 institutions across 15 states of India, 5 workshops with 100 participating NGOs, and 20 webinars involving Harvard faculty and subject experts from India.
SAI-published literature and cases from this project will serve as a resource for Indian institutions and government bodies. These will be made available on the SAI website at southasiainstitute.harvard.edu. A key component of the project is the opportunity for budding social entrepreneurs and institutions in India to apply for social innovation grants totalling Rs 50 lakh that will spur interventions and scale up existing initiatives resulting in greater impact in select geographies.
Emphasising the relevance of this collaboration, R. Venkataramanan, Executive Trustee, Tata Trusts said, “Under this collaboration with Harvard University’s South Asia Institute, we will develop entrepreneurship opportunities that will help provide sustainable prosperity to the local communities. This approach combined with Tata Trusts philanthropic vision will help narrow down the existing gap between the demand and supply of skilled labour.”
“The long-term objective of the collaboration is to combine India’s and Harvard’s knowledge resources to benefit the disadvantaged sections of society. Management thinkers, legal scholars, scientists, technologists, human development and public policy experts from Harvard will partner with government and academic institutions, NGOs, civil society organizations and philanthropic foundations in India. Harvard will work with these change agents and seek out ways to add value to the work they are doing,” said Tarun Khanna, Director, SAI.