CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

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Tackling Unemployment in Nepal through Youth Entrepreneurship - an Orientation on Nobin Program

“If we can turn unemployment into entrepreneurship, the amount of human creativity, talent and productivity we will unleash is almost beyond measuring” – Prof. Muhammad Yunus

Taking forward the replication of the Grameen Trust (GT), Bangladesh initiated Nobin Program in Nepal, the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) organized a one-day Orientation on Nobin Program (NP) for the staff of the initial eight organizations who had participated in the Study Visit of Nobin Program in Bangladesh in the month of February earlier this year. Following the visit to Bangladesh, each of the participating MFI had selected a branch office to pilot the youth entrepreneurship development program in their respective areas. So far, the MFIs have collected basic information regarding the children of their microfinance members aged 18 – 30 under the selected branch.

The one-day program was held on June 20, 2019 in the CSD premises, Kathmandu and was attended by the branch manager and field staff as well as a supervisor from the head office of each participating MFI.

Delivering his welcome remarks, Mr. Bechan Giri, Executive Chief of CSD remarked, “Our youth are going abroad in search of job opportunities. But, many get involved in difficult and life threatening situations. Such individuals have the skills but do not find the resources at home. Thus, we must cater to this population through promoting entrepreneurship.”

Introducing the Nobin Program, Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha shared, “Nobin is a youth focused program. Many youth in Nepal remain unemployed in the villages. They are being cheated, yet they continue going abroad for foreign employment. They are unwilling to see the vast opportunities for self-employment at home itself. We must work towards changing this mindset and as our responsibility towards the future generations, guide them towards entrepreneurship development.”

The program was facilitated by the Head of Nobin Program & Social Business in Grameen Trust, Mr. Mir Hossain Chowdhury. Sharing his experiences as a seasoned microfinance expert and Nobin Program Chief in GT, Mr. Chowdhury explained the concept of the youth focused program to the participants. He shared how the program came into being as an answer to unemployment in Bangladesh. Building the foundation of the program, he stressed on the importance of selecting the right candidate by conducting a thorough background check.

The participants were briefed on how to carry out a thorough background check, conduction of household visits and interactions with the candidate, his/her parents, neighbors and surprisingly the neighborhood children as well.

“A SWOT analysis of the new entrepreneur (NE) is conducted and a business plan is drafted with the help of Nobin staff. Nobin staff will be separate from your regular microfinance staff. They will be totally dedicated towards developing these NEs. The business must be locally viable and investment is made for start-ups, business expansion, agricultural and technology based and environment friendly sector,” explained Mr. Chowdhury.

The participants discussed on selection process of NE and how to design a business plan. Speaking about the importance of monitoring process, Mr. Chowdhury said, “Monitoring is essential to identify potential problems at an early stage and help the management to provide necessary guidance in due course of time. Monitoring takes place off-site, through SMS reporting on a daily basis and on-site through drop-in visits and surprise visits for physical verification.”

Summing up the program, participant, Mr. Chitra Bdr. Bhandari of Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. shared, “We can take up this program as a credit plus service and find ways how to tackle unemployment in the rural areas.”

Another participant and member of the initial team who visited Bangladesh, Mr. Man Bdr. Tharu of Unique Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. said, “The concept of the program is very good and complements the work of microfinance. Like in microfinance where reaching the right target group is of utmost importance, screening and selection of right NE is of equal importance.”

During the program, the participants delved into the basics of the Nobin Program and were both curious and enthusiastic to take it forward in their chosen branch as a pilot test. Twenty-two participants from eight MFIs provided a vibrant learning ground for NP. During the program, the participants delved into the basics Twenty-two participants from eight MFIs provided a vibrant learning ground for NP. The participating MFIs were; Unique Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., Kisan Bahuuddeshiya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd., Nawaprativa SACCOS Ltd., EDCOL, Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., Mahila Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., Aatmanirbhar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. and Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd.

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