At Development Alternatives, we believe that transformative change doesn’t happen in silos. It happens when diverse actors - communities, government, civil society, and businesses - come together around a shared mission. This spirit of collaboration was at the heart of our recent two-day gathering at DA Headquarters, where our partners once again came together to take forward the vision of Sam-Udyam.

Sam-Udyam is an evolving ecosystem where communities, government, corporate, and civil society work together to build new micro-economies rooted in equitable growth and social well- being. Through Sam Udyam, we are weaving diverse strengths into a single collective mission: accelerating job creation through grassroots entrepreneurship.

Over the course of the workshop, our partners Gram Vaani, Manviya Drishtikon Sewa Samiti (MDSS), Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Samiti India (SVSS), National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), Givfunds and Haqdarshak, engaged in deep conversations that went beyond showcasing models. Together, we mapped opportunities, surfaced challenges, and explored areas of convergence as one collective ecosystem committed to nurturing women and youth entrepreneurship.

Listening and reflection set the tone, but the focus quickly shifted to co-creation. Partners worked on aligning efforts around digital access, finance, and market linkages, weaving their diverse strengths into pathways that entrepreneurs can rely on for real, sustained growth. The energy in the room reflected a renewed sense of momentum - a reminder that systemic change emerges when institutions actively share, adapt, and build together.

This convergence was yet another milestone in shaping Sam-Udyam as a blueprint for entrepreneurship-led job creation at scale. By anchoring grassroots voices and institutional collaboration, we are building a model of inclusive growth that is not just about supporting enterprises, but about transforming local economies from within.