Building skills in the digital economy, India

• Jul 29, 2025
• 1 min

The Swarambh initiative was launched under the Sewapuri Gram Panchayat Saturation Abhiyan, a model block development program spearheaded by the Prime Minister’s office and NITI Aayog. Implemented in the Sewapuri block of Varanasi district, the initiative sought to address the growing demand for digital and entrepreneurial skills among rural youth. It equipped college students, especially young women, with the capabilities needed to thrive in India’s evolving digital and gig economy.

MSC, in partnership with Medha (an NGO), supported the end-to-end design and implementation of the Swarambh programme. The intervention followed a three-phased delivery model, comprising orientation and training, one-on-one mentorship, and hands-on live projects. The curriculum emphasized real-world skill-building in areas such as digital freelancing, photography, handicrafts, and baking. With the support of local administration and multiple central and state departments, MSC successfully executed the programme across three cohorts and reached more than 75 students.

The initiative fostered entrepreneurial mindsets and built a cadre of self-reliant, digitally skilled youth ready to participate in the informal economy. It created income-generating opportunities through gig and freelance work and strengthened networks of collaboration among participants to sustain long-term engagement. By promoting localized economic development and sustainable livelihoods, the programme contributed to national development priorities. Swarambh also demonstrated a scalable and replicable model for rural youth empowerment across India.

NITI Aayog commissioned the project.