By Swetha Akhnoor | Director - HR and Fundraising.
UnLtd Tamil Nadu started operations informally in 2012 and formally in 2013 under Social Entrepreneurship Associates (SEA) – under Auroville Village Action Trust. The aim is to support and foster the development of a “social entrepreneurship” movement, both by helping develop social entrepreneurs and publicizing this approach to drive more social change. Aurovilian and Ashoka fellow Gijs Spoor is managing executive supported by fellow Aurovillians.
The incubator provides financial and non-financial support for all types of social entrepreneurs from the very earliest stages of development till their venture can fly on their own wings. Social entrepreneurs supported by UnLtd Tamil Nadu have created significant social impact: 18 current and former investees have reached nearly 17,000 end beneficiaries, created 30 jobs, earned Rs 40,00,000 in revenues and raised Rs 100,00,000 in follow-on financing.
UnLtd Tamil Nadu selects and supports 10 to 20 projects every year, involving till date: 3 paid staff, 40 volunteers, 50 part time experts from Auroville, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madurai and Mumbai and 3 international coaches from the UK through our partner WorldChangers. Other partnerships are listed at the bottom of this report.
In 2014 the areas covered by our startups were: alternative dispute resolution, art therapy, children’s’ parliaments, life skill education, organic food and textiles, Fairtrade, waste reduction, holistic health, and women empowerment. UnLtd Tamil Nadu’s program boosts the clarity and confidence that changemakers need to become sustainable through monthly coaching, peer learning, site visits, clinics, workshop and expert panels through our partnerships.
UnLtd Tamil Nadu was joined on her journey by amazing people during 2014. Dr. Shiva finished his PhD and is now a senior academic and as such inspires more and more students from Pondicherry University to join as interns. This year we welcomed 12 from Social Work Department and spoke to 40 more during a training program on Entrepreneurship. Gijs attracted 10 fashion design students from New Zealand who came for a masterclass. And our regular operations were executed by a team of 20 volunteers from 5 countries, staying for 1 to 12 months. A list is provided below.
Finance wise we raised Rs 30,00,000 through various channels, including Crowdfunding (Global Giving), trainings, events and donations, and got a commitment of matching funds from UnLtd India for 12,00,000.
Please find below a list with all active partnerships:
Our year ended with showcasing our efforts at the Auroville Festival, which helped us attract new supporters for our start-ups and us. We also got national media coverage, The Hindu published an article about the work we are doing. Please find link below.
With all these efforts we hope to have greater success in the coming year and bid adieu to the last one with satisfaction and humility of the success and support received.
Links:
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