- Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India unveils Eco Action Learning Centre in Bengaluru
- Hands-on training hub to empower 1,500 rural entrepreneurs across multi-city rollout
- Accenture–EDII partnership drives green livelihoods and inclusive growth
- 30 structured programmes to build eco-enterprises from farm to market
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
BENGALURU, APR 28
In a decisive push towards sustainable livelihoods, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) has launched the Eco Action Learning Centre (ELC) in Bengaluru, a first-of-its-kind experiential training facility designed to transform rural entrepreneurship through practical, eco-conscious skill development.
The Centre was inaugurated by Ms. Manisha Bhattacharya, Managing Director – Corporate Citizenship, Accenture; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII; and Dr. Raman Gujral, Director – CSR Partnerships, EDII.
Positioned under the Micro Skill Development Programme (MSDP), the ELC offers hands-on exposure to sustainable production systems and small-scale enterprise operations—bridging the gap between training and real-world business readiness.
Spanning Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai, with expansion planned in Bhuj (2026–27), the initiative will roll out 30 structured training programmes, directly benefiting around 1,500 rural entrepreneurs.
The Centre focuses on high-impact, eco-friendly trades such as fruit and vegetable dehydration, handmade soaps, upcycled bags, bakery products, cold-pressed oils, candle making, and millet-based food processing—opening new avenues for green enterprise creation.
“At Accenture and EDII, we share a common vision of inclusive growth. It centres on building a future-ready economy. When rural entrepreneurs are given the right environment to discover their potential, they can scale successfully in the green economy. This Learning Centre is built on that belief, and its replication in multiple locations makes it a movement focussed on ensuring result-oriented impact and outcomes,” said Ms. Manisha Bhattacharya.
Dr. Sunil Shukla emphasised the transformational approach:
“The Eco Action Learning Centre represents a shift from training to transformation. By enabling hands-on exposure to sustainable production systems, we are building a strong foundation for rural entrepreneurs to become self-reliant, innovative, and environmentally responsible business owners.”
Highlighting the Centre’s core objective, Dr. Raman Gujral noted:
“By integrating practical learning with enterprise readiness, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between skill development and self-employment, while promoting environmentally responsible entrepreneurship.”
Backed by over a decade of collaboration, the Accenture–EDII partnership has already reshaped rural enterprise ecosystems—particularly empowering women entrepreneurs, many of whom now run independent businesses, access regional markets, and even operate their own e-commerce platforms.
With the launch of the ELC, Bengaluru becomes the latest hub in a growing national movement—where sustainability meets entrepreneurship, and grassroots innovation drives inclusive economic growth.
