Grameen Foundation and the ONDC Network join forces to empower women and small enterprises through digital inclusion

The joint initiative aims to support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), women entrepreneurs, start-ups with digital solutions

July 4, 2024: Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the poor, especially women, and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the revolutionary e-commerce initiative from DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry have come together and signed an MoU to drive socio-economic development and digital inclusion for diverse business entities.

Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (or Grameen) has been at the forefront of initiatives to enable the poor, especially women, to create a world without poverty and hunger. Grameen’s programs promote entrepreneurship, digital literacy and enablement, and financial inclusion. Over the last few years, Grameen has been actively exploring ways and means to improve the quality, viability and portfolio of business correspondents who often serve as critical enablers of financial inclusion of the last mile.

The joining of the hands of Grameen and the ONDC Network is a strategic move aimed at leveraging their respective strengths for the greater good. The aim is to make the onboarding experience of the digitally excluded onto the ONDC Network smooth and efficient through education, sensitization, and facilitation. Such onboarding will open a world of business opportunities for members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women entrepreneurs, start-ups, and similar entities. Grameen and the ONDC Network will work together to accelerate digital inclusion and facilitate the business growth of these entities and their members.

Bharati Joshi, Interim CEO, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, stated, “Globally, Grameen aims to put poverty in museums. We lead with gender and transform through technology. We believe in investing in the power of the poor, especially women so that they can ensure a quality life for themselves and their families. We see the ONDC Network as a natural collaborator in bridging the gap in information and market access and blurring digital boundaries for the last mile.”

Shireesh Joshi, Chief Business Officer, ONDC, said, “The ONDC Network is committed to fostering an inclusive digital ecosystem that provides equal opportunities for businesses of all sizes and backgrounds. By breaking down barriers, we are empowering diverse entities, from nano enterprises to women entrepreneurs, to thrive in the digital economy. Together with the Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, we are looking forward to democratizing the digital economy and ensuring that its transformative power reaches every corner of our society.”