Mission Shakti Living Lab Project

The Mission Shakti Living Lab Project was launched in Odisha in December 2021. It aims to empower women economically. It will also drive gender equality.

About the Project

• The project will use customized technologies to increase the participation of women in the local economy. By this, it will enhance incomes. Also, the project will accelerate women access to digital services. This is of great help to women micro entrepreneurs.
• The project is to benefit 10,000 women micro – entrepreneurs. Through the program, they will get better access to capital for business promotion, access to affordable market opportunities and market solutions for better linkages.
• The project will improve the stability of the SHG members and households. They can plan, save, spend and borrow better. This will improve their financial wellbeing.

What is the function of the lab?

The Mission Shakti Living Lab will scale, incubate and drive innovative digital solutions creating conditions for women to be financially healthy. Also, fairs and stable markets are to be created for their products.

Role of United Nations in the Project

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) signed an agreement with the Odisha Government to support the project. The UNCDF was established in 1966 to promote the economic development across the world. It provides micro – finance access to the Least Developed Countries. Also, it aims to unlock the potential of public and private finance. In February 2021, Preeti Sinha was appointed as the Executive Secretary of UNCDF. She is an Indian – origin investment and development banker. The Executive Secretary is the highest leadership rank in UNCDF.

Other measures of Odisha Government to improve women entrepreneurship

• She Means Business Program: It was launched by the joint cooperation of Odisha Government and Facebook. It was launched to provide digital marketing skills to the women entrepreneurs.
• Through Make in Odisha, Skilled – in – Odisha and Start up Odisha, several rural women are becoming the major contributor to the state’s economic growth.