SRINAGAR: CHINAR International, a prominent social impact organisation focused on empowering children and youth, has successfully completed its three-day Small Business Support (SBS) Programme.
Held at Grand Comforts Hotel, Hyderpora, Srinagar, in collaboration with TISS Incube Foundation, Mumbai, the event attracted widespread participation from across the Kashmir division. A total of 560 applicants from districts including Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar, Kulgam, Kupwara, Budgam, Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag competed for a chance to join the programme, the NGO said in a statement.
Following a meticulous selection process, 46 candidates were shortlisted to present their business ideas, with 26 ultimately chosen to receive support. The programme saw these entrepreneurs present their ideas before a panel of experts, aiming to secure financial backing and technical assistance to launch or expand their businesses.
The event featured inspirational addresses from prominent local entrepreneurs, including Khalid of Lady Hut and Abdul Hamid Bhat of Rahim Motors, who shared their personal success stories. Additionally, alumni from previous cohorts, such as Rifaaz from Anantnag and Ahtisham from Srinagar, shared insights into their entrepreneurial journeys, motivating the newly selected participants.
On September 22, a felicitation ceremony took place, attended by many dignitaries.
The fifth cohort of CHINAR International’s SBS programme will offer financial support to 26 deserving entrepreneurs. Under the initiative, businesses will receive up to Rs 1.5 lakh in startup funding under Tier I and up to Rs 3.5 lakh under Tier II. In addition to financial backing, the selected entrepreneurs will benefit from expert guidance on technical skills, marketing strategies, accounting, and overall business management. The programme, which is being run in partnership with TISS, seeks to empower youth from low-income families, enabling them to achieve economic independence.
Since the programme’s inception, CHINAR International, according to its statement has successfully supported 72 entrepreneurs, who are now contributing to the economic growth of Kashmir by running their own businesses.