Increasing Jabalpur's reputation as a centre for business creation, the city played host last month to a workshop on Local Economic Development for social entrepreneurs, first generation entreprenuers and non-tech start ups.

Part of the LED project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), this was the first initiative aimed at reaching out to non-tech start-ups. These are the first generation of entrepreneurs who have been supported by the incubation centre of Jabalpur smart city, CLGF's partner in this project. 

Understanding the offer

Widely publicised, using a number of media formats including the local radio station, there was an excellent response to the workshop, which was full. Participants were able to learn more about:

• what the smart city incubation centre can offer;
• why and how the centre is relevant to their work; and
• the available schemes and policies of both the state government and the government of India and how they can be accessed.

Those taking part also got an opportunity to meet senior government representatives from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department of Government of Madhya Pradesh. 

Inclusive approach to smart city incubation centres

CLGF Asia Programme Officer Anuya Kuwar explained: "The workshops are very much an integral part of the project to ensure that the smart city incubation centres are inclusive in their development approach. We are very pleased with the attendance rate and the outcomes."

In the pipeline at the moment are more workshops to build the capacities of these social entreprenuers.