Tag: Social Entrepreneurship

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YIMBY Founder Gourov V. Pokle Honoured as “Inspiring Young Entrepreneur of the Year”

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Goa, January 23, 2026 — Gourov V. Pokle, Founder of YIMBY, has been honoured with the “Inspiring Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award in recognition of his commitment to developing practical waste management solutions and creating sustainable environmental impact at the grassroots level.


The award was presented by Minister Mauvin Godinho in the presence of the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and Minister Rohan Khaunte, at a prestigious ceremony organised by the Vibrant Goa Foundation in association with the Government of Goa. The event brought together leaders from government, industry, and social enterprises to celebrate young changemakers driving meaningful change.

The recognition highlights YIMBY’s work in designing and implementing decentralised waste management systems that empower communities to manage waste responsibly at the source. Through infrastructure development, awareness programmes, and capacity-building initiatives, YIMBY has consistently worked to reduce landfill dependency while promoting sustainable, scalable environmental practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Gourov V. Pokle said the award represents a collective belief that sustainability begins at the community level. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts behind YIMBY’s journey and dedicated the honour to the organisation’s team, mentors, partners, and family for their continued support.

The award marks a significant milestone in YIMBY’s mission-driven journey, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth. As the organisation continues to expand its reach, YIMBY remains focused on building resilient, community-centric solutions that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

EduConnect

GDP School Hosts First-Ever Convocation with Enterprise Ramp Walk Across Three Campuses

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The GDP School for Social Entrepreneurship, Skill Building and Applied Social Research marked its first convocation at Borda College, Margao, with a packed auditorium and a high-energy format that placed outcomes above optics and enterprises above certificates. The event brought together graduating cohorts from the Borda, Vasco, and Quepem campuses in a celebration that redefined the traditional idea of a convocation.

Departing from convention, the convocation featured a swag-filled ramp walk where senior citizens, Self Help Groups, and rural youth confidently showcased market-ready products, service offerings, flyers, and enterprise packages. Developed through intensive practitioner-led mentoring and applied social research, the ramp transformed into a live marketplace of social innovation and enterprise readiness.

Stage 1 of the GDP School journey focused on stabilising three core pillars of enterprise building—product, process, and people. Participants underwent repeated cycles of market fitment, customer feedback, redesign, and validation, with a deliberate application of Blue Ocean Strategy to identify uncontested value propositions. The cohorts now advance into Stage 2, the Go-To-Market phase, which will focus on customer acquisition, partnerships, revenue models, and scaling.

The ramp walk was led by GDP School practitioners Deepakshi Mishra from the Quepem Campus, Kaushal Prabhudesai from the Vasco Campus, and Prasad Deshpande from the Borda Campus, who guided their respective cohorts through the showcase. The convocation was led by Chief Guest Mr. Kanjanabha Bhattacharyya, Managing Director of Putzmeister Concrete Machines Pvt. Ltd., who reinforced the importance of industrial rigor and execution discipline in building sustainable social enterprises.

The event saw the presence of a wide range of dignitaries from banking, industry, media, administration, and social development sectors, reflecting strong cross-sector endorsement for the initiative. The convocation also coincided with the birth anniversary of Late Shri Manoharbhai Parrikar, former Union Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa, and was envisioned as a tribute to his enduring legacy of institution-building, integrity, and inclusive development.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Kishore Shah, Managing Trustee of GDP Foundation, followed by live product displays and networking. The convocation marked not an end, but the formal market entry of community-rooted enterprises, reinforcing GDP School’s emergence as a pioneering platform where social purpose meets market discipline and learning translates into real, scalable impact.

Goa’s finest jewels 💎

Empowering Women through Social Entrepreneurship: Asha Arondekar’s Journey

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Asha Arondekar, a renowned social entrepreneur and Chairperson of the Women’s Wing, Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, has been instrumental in empowering women and promoting social entrepreneurship in Goa. Her brainchild, Global To Local, has been a game-changer in promoting Goan artisans, preserving Goa’s cultural heritage, and supporting sustainable practices.


Asha’s passion for social entrepreneurship was sparked by her desire to empower rural women in Goa. She realized that these women were skilled in maintaining Goa’s rich cultural heritage, particularly in food products. During the pandemic, Asha encouraged these women to become financially independent, leading to the birth of Global To Local. Today, Global To Local supports over 100 rural women in Goa, providing them with financial stability and sustainability.


Asha considers herself lucky to have a supportive family. However, she acknowledges that limited access to funding and investment are significant challenges faced by many women entrepreneurs. Despite these challenges, Asha’s determination and perseverance have enabled her to overcome these obstacles and achieve success.


Global To Local aims to promote Goan artisans, preserve Goa’s cultural heritage, and support sustainable practices. Asha believes that social entrepreneurship can play a crucial role in addressing Goa’s pressing social and environmental issues. By empowering women and promoting social entrepreneurship, Asha hopes to create a positive impact in Goa and inspire others to do the same.

Asha advises women to believe in themselves, network, and have a mentor. She emphasizes the importance of having a business venture with a social impact. “Always have your work planned with a purpose of creating an impact,” Asha says. “You can do anything but not everything, so it is important to do the right things at the right time.”

Asha measures Global To Local’s success by the growing number of women vendors and the organization’s reach through social media and e-commerce. Today, Global To Local has a strong online presence, and its products are in high demand. Asha’s vision is to scale the business, open multiple stores, and empower thousands of women in the next 5-10 years.


Asha envisions Global To Local scaling its business, opening multiple stores, and empowering thousands of women in the next 5-10 years.She also plans to launch programs on financial literacy, skilling workshops, and social media marketing for women entrepreneurs through the Women’s Wing, GCCI.


Asha emphasizes the importance of social entrepreneurship and making a positive impact in Goa. She encourages the community to support women entrepreneurs and uplift entire communities. “Empowered women empower women,” Asha says. “Let us all encourage women entrepreneurs, uplift women, and in turn uplift entire communities. Let us champion leadership and make Goa an inclusive environment because it’s only together, we can create change.”