Beyond Empowerment: How a Three-Level Model is Rewriting Futures
For nearly four decades, the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD) has been a pioneer in socio-economic transformation. Recognized as a ‘Centre for Excellence’ by the United Nations, and as a leading NGO for women empowerment in India, we believe lasting change requires more than just training – it demands a holistic ecosystem. Through need-based approaches, field-tested models, and long-term implementation, ICECD has enabled women, youth, artisans, and emerging entrepreneurs to build sustainable livelihoods by incorporating inclusive social and environmental development in areas like health, education, digital literacy, human rights awareness, financial empowerment, etc.
Our unique approach is the Three-Level Model (Grassroot, Institutional, and Policy). This powerful, integrated engine reflects our commitment as a skill development NGO in India, showcasing how it nurtures youth and women entrepreneurship development and employable skills generation, enabling millions to build sustainable livelihoods and become agents of change across India and globally.
1. Grassroot Level: Building Entrepreneurs, Strengthening Communities
This is the bedrock of the ICECD model and the foundation of our grassroot entrepreneurship and skill development approach. Through customized, gender-sensitive, and livelihood-driven training, ICECD directly empowers individuals, especially the youth and women, transforming them to becoming economic leaders. We focus on long-term enterprise creation over short-term employment.
Key Impact Metrics:
- 200,000+ (2 Lakh) women and youth (rural, tribal, and urban) empowered to build micro and small enterprises.
- Over 1.5 million jobs created through grassroots entrepreneurship programs.
- US$120 Million (₹1000+ Crore) in investment generated and mobilized by women entrepreneurs.
- 1,000+ Self-Help Group (SHG) federations with over 10,000 women members who are now self-employed were formed, significantly boosting internal lending and community savings.
- Improved quality of life through holistic mediations in health, education, human rights, gender advocacy, water and sanitation for over 1 million women and their families in more than 200 villages.
- Furthermore, we’ve been able to create social security through insurance as well as micro-credit for thousands of women, promoting sustainable and reliable systems in place.
- Conducted Research, Action Research along with Needs Assessment to study gaps in Women Economic Development at national and international levels.
- Rehabilitation of 200 disaster hit villages in Kutch-Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
- More than 50,000 child labour eradication achieved by creating mother’s micro enterprises.
- Outcome: Women gaining financial independence, autonomy, and decision-making power within their households and communities.
Empowered Communities:
- Underprivileged women and youth (the core focus of our mission).
- Informal sector workers and agricultural laborers.
- Artisans and technically trained youth seeking self-employment.
- Existing micro-enterprise owners aiming to scale up.
2. Institutional Level: Creating a Multiplier Effect
To achieve sustainable, national-level change, ICECD focuses on building the capacity of other organizations across development, education, finance, and vocational sectors.
This institutional strategy forms a strong foundation for long-term expansion and reflects our commitment to capacity building for NGOs and more across India and globally.
Key Achievements in Scaling:
- 5,500+ trainers and facilitators trained in India along with 1400 organisations, enabling partner institutions to reach over 5,50,000 people.
- 4,000+ trainers trained across our international outreach programs in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific regions.
- Developed curriculum and taught entrepreneurship to over 20,000 school students at educational level.
- Capacity building of NGOs, Colleges, and Universities to institutionalise youth and women development nationally and internationally. Furthermore, to reach more people through capacity building, several books and manuals in multiple languages were written for the ILO, Commonwealth Secretariat, GTZ Germany, etc.
- Capacity building of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI) across several villages and Government Officers in more than 17 states across India.
- Strategic Partnerships established with NGOs, Women’s Development Agencies, vocational institutions, and Microfinance Agencies, embedding entrepreneurship into their existing frameworks.
3. Policy Level: Influencing Systems for Inclusive Growth
True transformation requires shifting the economic landscape with the likes of government bodies, ministries, global development partners, and corporations. ICECD works to influence macro-level policies, ensuring that development strategies are inclusive, gender-responsive, and prioritize sustainable enterprise creation.
Our Key Partners:
- Government & Financial Bodies: Consultations with Ministries (Science & Technology, Women & Child Development, Social Welfare), NABARD, Rural-Tribal Ministries, and SIDBI to integrate entrepreneurship into national schemes.
- Global Development Agencies: Partnerships with the UN, Commonwealth Secretariat, ILO, and GTZ (now GIZ) for cross-border knowledge exchange and model adaptation.
- Corporate & Private Sector: Collaborations with leaders like Tata Chemicals, Amazon India, Tata Steel, Cairn Energy, British Gas, and Bajaj Auto for CSR implementation and value chain integration.
- Curriculum Integration: Successfully introducing entrepreneurship education into schools, ITIs, engineering and MBA colleges, and universities to foster a culture of enterprise from the ground up.
The integrated three-level model is uniquely structured to support the long-term Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid down by the United Nations. By focusing on sustainable enterprise creation and economic security, ICECD directly contributes to Poverty Alleviation, Zero Hunger and Economic Growth. Beyond this, our unique holistic approach drives Gender Equality, improves Health and Well-Being through community camps, and advances Quality Education by integrating entrepreneurship and training of trainers into formal systems. Furthermore, our programs promote crucial environmental goals like Clean Water and Sanitation and Climate Action through practical community interventions and the promotion of sustainable living practices.
Ready to Partner with a Proven Model?
As a leader in sustainable livelihood programs, ICECD remains committed to building resilient communities, strengthening institutions, and shaping inclusive policies that uplift every individual, regardless of their background.
The situation of rural as well as urban India calls for strategic collaborations. Whether through CSR initiatives, institutional research, or program funding, the timing cannot get any better as this is the need of the hour.
Do join us in advancing this mission of inclusive development. Partner with ICECD to help build a future driven by empowered communities, strong enterprises, and lasting socio-economic impact. Together, we can create an ecosystem where opportunity is accessible, entrepreneurship is nurtured, and progress becomes a shared reality for all!
