Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WEDP) Empowering Women | Enabling Innovation | Creating Sustainable Impact

The Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WEDP) is a flagship initiative of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The programme aims to empower women by helping them identify viable business opportunities, build entrepreneurial capabilities, and launch sustainable, market‑ready ventures. WEDP is designed as a structured, hands‑on learning programme delivered by experienced faculty, industry mentors, and practitioners with strong expertise in innovation, sustainability, and enterprise development.

Programme Snapshot

• Duration: 4 weeks
• Mode: Online / Hybrid
• Batch Size: 30–35 women participants
• Cost: Free (DST‑supported)

Why WEDP?

Despite steady improvements in women’s workforce participation in India, women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic challenges such as limited access to credit, insufficient business skills, and lack of structured mentoring.

WEDP addresses these gaps by offering:

• Practical entrepreneurship training
• Exposure to government schemes and financial institutions
• Mentorship from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs
• Continued handholding support beyond the classroom

Key Components of WEDP

WEDP follows a comprehensive, step‑by‑step approach covering the entire entrepreneurial journey:

• Opportunity identification
• Business planning and costing
• Branding, packaging, and marketing
• Digital skills for entrepreneurs
• Financial inclusion and access to credit
• Exposure visits and interaction with successful entrepreneurs
• Handholding support for 3–6 months
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Participant Outcomes

Women completing the programme consistently report:

• Improved business readiness and ability to start or scale ventures
• Enhanced financial literacy and digital competencies
• Better market access, branding, and customer engagement
• Stronger leadership confidence and decision‑making abilities
• Access to mentorship, peer networks, and long‑term support systems

Programme Evolution & Reach

• Launched during the COVID period as a fully online programme to ensure uninterrupted learning
• Evolved into a hybrid model by 2024–25, offering greater flexibility and hands‑on learning
• Successfully conducted six cohorts over four years, with participation from diverse age groups, educational backgrounds, and regions across India

Impact & Achievements

Building India’s Women Entrepreneur Ecosystem

• Over 300 women trained in entrepreneurship, digital skills, and business management
• Sustained 80% completion and retention rate, reflecting strong engagement and programme quality
• Nearly 10% of participants have launched STEM, green‑tech, or sustainability‑focused enterprises, contributing to India’s innovation and climate goals

WEDP Brochure