Assignment No: 5
Visit a Bank/financial Institution to enquire about various
funding schemes for SSE.
1. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare initiative launched by the
Government of India to provide social security to the elderly, disabled, and those living
below the poverty line, particularly in rural areas. The program aims to ensure that
vulnerable sections of society receive financial assistance to meet basic living expenses,
especially when they have no other source of income. The NSAP includes various schemes
such as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), National Family
Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS), which target
specific groups in need. Under IGNOAPS, elderly individuals aged 60 years and above receive
monthly pensions, while NFBS provides financial support to families in case of the death of
a primary breadwinner. The NMBS offers maternity benefits to women from low-income
households. The program is designed to enhance social protection and reduce poverty by
providing a safety net to disadvantaged populations, thus improving their well-being and
ensuring dignity and respect for the most vulnerable groups in India.
2. Stand-Up India Scheme (SIS):
The Stand-Up India Scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2016 to
promote entrepreneurship among women, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes
(ST), with a specific focus on setting up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services,
and trading sectors. The scheme aims to foster economic independence and create
employment opportunities for these underrepresented groups by providing them with
financial assistance. Under the scheme, eligible borrowers can avail loans ranging from ₹10
lakh to ₹1 crore, with a special emphasis on women entrepreneurs. The loans are offered
through Scheduled Commercial Banks, with the government offering a guarantee to mitigate
the risk for banks. The scheme also supports the establishment of business units in various
sectors, encouraging innovation and self-reliance. Stand-Up India aims to reduce the barriers
to entry for disadvantaged communities, thus empowering them economically and socially,
and promoting inclusive growth across India. The initiative also includes training and
mentoring programs to help entrepreneurs develop business skills and ensure the
sustainability of their ventures.
3. Indian Angel Network (IAN):
The Indian Angel Network (IAN) is one of the largest and most active angel investor
networks in India, aimed at providing early-stage funding to high-potential startups and
social enterprises across various sectors. Established in 2006, IAN connects entrepreneurs
with seasoned investors who offer not only financial support but also mentorship,
guidance, and industry expertise to help scale up innovative businesses. The network
supports a wide range of startups, including those focused on technology, healthcare,
education, clean energy, and social impact. IAN invests in both for-profit and social
enterprises, with a particular emphasis on businesses that have the potential to solve
societal challenges while being financially sustainable. The network provides seed funding
and growth capital to entrepreneurs in exchange for equity, enabling startups to develop,
grow, and scale their operations. In addition to financial backing, IAN members leverage
their diverse backgrounds and experience to help startups navigate challenges, build
strong business models, and create valuable networks. The Indian Angel Network plays a
vital role in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, contributing to the growth of the
Indian startup ecosystem.
4. Tata Social Enterprise Support Program (TSESP):
The Tata Social Enterprise Support Program is an initiative by the Tata Trusts, one of
India's oldest and most reputed philanthropic organizations, aimed at supporting social
enterprises that work to address critical societal challenges such as healthcare, education,
water and sanitation, rural development, and women’s empowerment. The program
provides grants, funding, and capacity-building support to social enterprises, helping them
scale their innovative solutions to improve the lives of marginalized communities. Through
this initiative, the Tata Trusts focus on fostering sustainable, impactful solutions by
enabling social enterprises to develop their business models, build strong governance
structures, and expand their reach. The program also facilitates mentorship, networking,
and access to resources, ensuring that these enterprises can increase their social impact
while maintaining financial sustainability. By supporting both for-profit and non-profit
organizations, the Tata Social Enterprise Support Program plays a crucial role in
strengthening the social enterprise ecosystem in India and driving inclusive growth for
underserved populations.
