Girijana Institute of Rural Entrepreneurship Development (GIRED) is a unique initiative specifically targeting tribal youth. This Vocational Training Centre was started in September 2010 in partnership with Integrated Tribal Development Agency -Seethampeta (an executing body of Department of Tribal Welfare, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh). GIRED is located in Addakulaguda village of Seethampeta mandal of Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.

The objective of GIRED is to provide employment avenues and income generation opportunities for tribal youth. The aim is to upgrade skills of the tribal youth in various vocations depending on their education, economic trends and the market potential, to enable them to gain suitable employment or enable them to become self-employed.

Highlights

• ITDA has provided a building to GMRVF to run the institute and also liasioned with the line departments for provision of drinking water and other facilities. ITDA is also supporting in mobilization of youth for trainings.
• Within a short span of time, GIRED has trained 108 youth in different trades like two wheeler repairing, gents tailoring, taxi driving and mobile phone repairing etc. of whom 89 were settled.
• ITDA has also agreed to provide loans under its TRICOR scheme to GIRED trainees who want to start their own enterprises.

Case Study

V.M.B Tailors- A Success Story of Three Tribal Youth
Vasu, Mallesh and Bheemudu, tribal youth from Naidumalli village in Srikakulam district of AP, were unemployed for long time and dreamt of becoming entrepreneurs. However, they hardly had any idea of what kind of enterprise could be started and how. They had the interest but lack of skills, lack of know-how and fear of failure barring them from chasing their dreams. One day they came to know about GIRED and about the tailoring training program offered. They thought this training could give them required skill to start an enterprise and hence applied for the same. They underwent a 48 day training which has not only gave them the tailoring skill, but also skills related to communication, marketing, decision making etc. Focusing on individual development, topics like personal hygiene and sanitation, stress management and interpersonal relationships were also offered as part of the module. This comprehensive training increased their confidence and immediately after completing the course, they started a small tailoring unit called V.M.B. (Vasu, Mallesh and Bheemudu) Tailors in December, 2010 in their own village by pooling an investment of Rs 22,000. As people in the area celebrate Sankranthi in a big way, they got good offers for stitching clothes and their skill and adherence to time pleased the people of the area and their business improved within no time. In just two months they were able to do a business worth Rs 15,000 which is increased their confidence. Recently, the two tribal welfare residential schools of that area agreed to give them orders for stitching the school uniforms for 800 children. They are now proud to be able to stand on their own feet and thank GIRED for making their dream come true.