Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP)

The Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) is a focused sub-scheme operating under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development. The primary objective of this initiative is to stimulate economic growth in rural India by helping poor households set up their own small-scale enterprises. The program addresses the three key challenges faced by rural startups: lack of knowledge, lack of credit, and lack of professional advisory services. By fostering a supportive ecosystem, SVEP aims to transition rural families from a state of dependency to self-reliance through sustainable livelihoods. Under this program, selected blocks are provided with a dedicated cadre of Community Resource Persons for Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP). These individuals are trained to provide business consultancy services to rural entrepreneurs, including market analysis, business planning, and financial management. The program also facilitates access to finance through a Community Enterprise Fund (CEF), which provides seed capital and working capital loans to new and existing businesses. This ensures that even those without traditional collateral can access the funds necessary to start a venture. Beyond financial aid, SVEP focuses on building local institutions like the Block Resource Centre (BRC), which acts as a hub for all entrepreneurial activities in the region. These centers provide technical support, monitor business performance, and ensure the long-term viability of the enterprises. By encouraging a variety of businesses—ranging from manufacturing and trading to service sectors—the scheme helps diversify the rural economy and creates local employment opportunities, reducing the need for distress migration to urban centers. Overall, SVEP empowers rural communities to build vibrant local markets and gain financial independence.