SWAYATT Initiative Marks Six Years of Empowering Women and Youth

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Posted by newadmin on 2025-02-27 08:58:31 |

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The Government e Marketplace (GeM) recently marked six years of its SWAYATT initiative, which was launched in 2019 to promote the participation of women and youth in public procurement. This initiative focuses on social inclusion, aiming to simplify business opportunities for startups and Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs).

SWAYATT was established to increase the involvement of women-led enterprises and young entrepreneurs in government procurement. By fostering direct market linkages, it eliminates barriers for these groups and provides necessary training for last-mile sellers. The initiative has played a crucial role in encouraging small businesses to engage in public procurement, ensuring fair competition and broader participation.

On its anniversary, GeM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO). This partnership is designed to connect women entrepreneurs directly with government buyers, reducing dependence on intermediaries and securing better pricing opportunities for their products.

Since its inception, SWAYATT has significantly expanded the presence of women-led enterprises on the GeM platform. Initially, the platform had 6,300 women-led enterprises and 3,400 startups. Today, that number has grown to over 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs, collectively fulfilling orders worth ₹46,615 crore.

A key aspect of the initiative is training and capacity building. GeM provides comprehensive training to empower local businesses, enhance competition, and promote inclusive economic growth. Looking ahead, GeM has ambitious goals, including onboarding one lakh registered startups and doubling the number of women entrepreneurs in public procurement, where women currently make up 8% of the seller base.

The initiative also features dedicated storefronts such as Startup Runway and Womaniya, designed to provide targeted listings and increase visibility among government buyers. These storefronts help remove entry barriers for startups and women entrepreneurs, making it easier for them to engage with government procurement.

Through its efforts, SWAYATT is driving economic empowerment, job creation, and inclusive growth. By providing access to markets, finance, and value-added opportunities, the initiative supports a dynamic startup ecosystem and strengthens women’s and youth participation in public procurement.

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