Project history

The Belgaon Dhaga project started on November 1, 2003 at a community meeting held by Vinod Parekh, the Village Earth representative. In that meeting, the community decided that economic development was their highest priority. Several people at the meeting expressed their desire to start small businesses and agreed to put together a proposal including a budget. On December 1, 2003, an Entrepreneur Self Help Group was formed consisting of the people who wanted to start businesses. The group was called Gramudyog Swayamsahayata Bachat Gat (GSBG). An advisory board made up of local business people, Rotary club members, and university professors was formed to advise GSBG on marketing and financial matters. The potential entrepreneurs started receiving training in general business skills as well as the particular skills for the businesses they wanted to start.

February 20, 2004 was a big day for the first five entrepreneurs that received their loan checks. The first five businesses were started by Ashok (Computer training academy), Hiraman (water tanker business), Chandu (irrigation pond), Thorat (village celebration equipment rental), and Vishnu (water buffalo dairy). All of these businesses were up and running by March 2004. They have been expanding ever since.

In October and November of 2004, a series of new, women owned businesses were proposed by local women to GSBG. These businesses included a tailoring business, a sari retailing business, vegetable vending, jewelry making, and henna application. It was agreed to provide training to these women so that their businesses could be started. The tailoring business was the first one to open.

Economic development is starting to take hold in Belgaon Dhaga and nearby villages are looking to do the same. The micro enterprise project will be expanding into the villages of Pimpalgaon Bahula, Rajwada, Vasali, Velholi, and Jawahan in 2005.