Kozhikode, April 29, 2026: The District Collector of Kozhikode, Snehil Kumar Singh, inaugurated the Uyare Project at the Migration Support Centre, Kozhikode, here, on Monday. The event was attended by the research team from Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, officials from Kudumbashree District Mission, and trainers from the Entrepreneurship Development Society.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, a comprehensive training kit—comprising an activity book and a handbook designed for aspiring entrepreneurs—was formally released.
The Uyare Project is a research-driven initiative by Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, aimed at strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship among existing Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs. The project will roll out intensive two-day Gram Panchayat-level business training programmes for approximately 700 women across 40 Gram Panchayats in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts between April and June 2026.
To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, the training sessions will be conducted at the Gram Panchayat level, enabling greater participation from women entrepreneurs in local communities. The two-day programme is designed around five key modules:
- Hopes and aspirations
- Working capital management
- Access to markets (input and output) and credit
- Digital marketing
- Legal and regulatory compliances
These modules have been developed by the IIMK research team comprising Prof. Ashok Thomas, Prof. Chitwan Lalji, and Ms. Gayathri M.S, IIMK Doctoral Scholar, with continued support from IIMK LIVE and the District Industries Centre (DIC).
The training material has been carefully designed to provide a practical, easy-to-understand, and application-oriented learning experience. It incorporates real-life scenarios, relatable stories, and hands-on activities to ensure participants can connect business concepts with their everyday experiences.
The activity book includes structured exercises that encourage reflection and application of business concepts, while the handbook provides actionable guidelines to enhance business awareness and operational knowledge. This approach reinforces the principle of learning by doing, enabling participants to adopt improved business practices effectively.
The Entrepreneurship Development Society will serve as the implementing partner for the project. Trainers from EDS have undergone multiple rounds of capacity-building sessions led by Prof. Ashok Thomas and Ms. Gayathri at IIM Kozhikode.
The initiative is sponsored by Manappuram Foundation, with facilitation support from the District Collector’s Office and the Kudumbashree District Mission.
Speaking at the event, District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh highlighted the practical benefits of the programme: “The training shall help you in improving the process and make your profits higher. The training material created is very structured and this will aid you in taking small steps to improve your business, and all entrepreneurs should come forward for the training.”
The IIM Kozhikode research team led by Prof. Ashok Thomas and Prof. Chitwan Lalji emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “We anticipate that this training will strengthen women entrepreneurs’ business knowledge and managerial practices, improve regulatory compliance, and enhance overall business performance. It is also expected to improve access to formal credit and enable greater participation in digital markets. At a policy level, the initiative will help assess the need for targeted training and sustained support to ensure long-term enterprise stability and growth.”
The Uyare Project represents a significant step toward empowering women entrepreneurs by equipping them with practical business knowledge and enabling them to adopt improved managerial practices. By strengthening their capabilities and access to markets and credit, the initiative aims to enhance business outcomes and contribute to sustainable economic development in the region.
