Development Alternatives (DA) hosted a Roundtable on 5 November 2025 in New Delhi on Reimagining Local Economies: A Systems Approach to Inclusive Entrepreneurship. The conversation brought together leaders from government, finance, philanthropy, technology, and ecosystem organisations to reflect on what it will take for women and youth entrepreneurs to progress in today’s changing rural economies. Drawing on insights from DA's work in Mirzapur and other districts, participants stressed the need for stronger, more coordinated ecosystem efforts aligned with the SAM-UDYAM mission of enabling One Million Livelihoods by 2030.
The discussion highlighted persistent ecosystem gaps like limited credit access, uneven last-mile enterprise support, low digital preparedness, and gendered constraints, while affirming the transformative potential of the 33,000 CLFs that can anchor local enterprise growth. Insights from our work in Mirzapur, where 16,000 entrepreneurs have been enabled through coordinated action, demonstrated what becomes possible when institutions work collaboratively. Participants emphasised the need to deepen CLF-led enterprise services, strengthen market and finance pathways, expand non-financial support, and mobilise catalytic capital to promote more resilient and inclusive local economies.
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