Barclays Bank PLC has joined hands with Pratham, a leading NGO in the education space, to launch a unique entrepreneurship programme for the economically disadvantaged youth in Maharashtra.
The entrepreneurship development programme rolled out by Pratham aims to identify youth from economically-challenged sections of society who display strong entrepreneurship skills, a press release issued here today stated.
Barclays has agreed to donate the entire amount required for providing seed capital to would-be entrepreneurs.
The programme will focus on grooming entrepreneurs in farming, dairies, small-scale industries and the automobiles servicing sector, the release said.
Barclays GRCB India's Interim Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Ram Gopal, said, "We, at Barclays, have always believed that entrepreneurship is a sustainable approach to solving unemployoment problems. We are extremely glad to support Pratham in their attempt to help the youth of our country help themselves."
Pratham's Director (Operational & IT Education), Sabyasachi Das, said, "If we have to reduce poverty, we must find and support potential wealth creators in rural India. They can create jobs in rural India. We thank Barclays Bank for all their support in this endeavour."