Kaleidoscope Issue 7 by Grameen Telecom Trust

So c ial Busin ess WAY FO RWARD 6th Social Business Day Celebrated in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Issue 7 |September 2015

Inside: Social Business Way Forward 6th Social Business Day Celebrated Green Eco-Tech Ltd.: An initiative to promote green energy using rice husk as fuel Grameen Telecom Trust Empowering the Generation Next Social Business Day Panel Discussions

Nobin Udyokta Highlights Investment Agreement with Nobin Udyoktas Plenary session: Sharing experience - social business movement around the world.

Over 250 delegates from around 30 countries and about 1,600 people comprising of diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, students among many others attended the 6th Annual Social Business Day 2015 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka to acknowledge the dreams and philosophies of Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. The gathering is organized every year on June 28th as an opportunity to meet, connect and discuss with the global social business community, aiming to develop effective solutions to solve society's most pressing problems. However, this year because of Ramadan the date was shifted forward to May 28th. The theme of the event this year was 'We Are Not Job-Seekers, We Are Job-Giversâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Turning Unemployment into Entrepreneurship.' All employees of Grameen Telecom Trust actively participated in the 6th Social Business Day to make it a success.

Social Business Learning and Innovation fund (SBLIF) Brief Current Projects under SBLIF

Grameen Telecom Trust Brief 20th Board Meeting of GTT Screening Exercise of Nobin Udyokta in Jobra, Hathazari, Chittagong In-house-Executive Design Lab Social Business Design Lab In-House Training-HR Development

Case Study Ms. Mafia Parvin

Green Eco-Tech Ltd.: An initiative to promote green energy using rice husk as fuel

Announcement of a joint venture social business project of Grameen Telecom Trust

An announcement of a joint venture between Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) and Mr. Sarkar Ardhendu (Ripon) for a social business project was made at the 6th Social Business Day 2015. GTT jointly with Mr. Ardhendu will form a new social business company named ‘Green EcoTech Limited”, related to the Generation of Electricity & Production of Fly Ash Brick. The initiative will enable 2000 energy-deprived marginal households (comprising of approximately 10,000 people) to have access to electricity. It will be cost-effective for both current solar panel users who are very limited in number and people who do not have access to electricity at all, as biomass electricity will provide added services such as operation of light bulbs; refrigerator; television; etc. There will be an added impact of fly-ash brick project. Eco-friendly production process of fly-ash brick plant will substantially reduce pollution and will provide a good alternative to the highly-polluting conventional brick plants.

“To have sustainable development we must adopt a policy of ‘three zeros’- Zero Poverty; Zero Unemployment; Zero Carbon Emission.” Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus

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GRAMEEN TELECOM TRUST

Grameen Telecom Trust Empowering the Generation Next

Nobin Udyoktas of GTT participated in Social Business Marketplace

A Social Business Marketplace showcased the products and programmes of social business during the event. As a highlight, there was special Mela or fair of Nobin Udyokta's (new entrepreneurs) products, which was displayed at the marketplace. About 50 Nobin Udyoktas out of which 15 were from Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) displayed and sold their products at the Marketplace and they attracted a lot of attention. They shared their stories of how they are accessing funds

to turn their dreams into reality and creating employment for themselves and others. GTT employees also took part in the showcase, depicting products of its projects under Social Business Learning and Innovation Fund (SBLIF) program, highlighting its initiatives and informing visitors of the holistic approach that GTT and the partners assumes in addressing social problems. Professor Muhammad Yunus also visited the stalls and appreciated the effort and work of GTT and all Nobin Udyoktas who are young adult children of Grameen Bank members.

Social Business Day Panel Discussions

Members of Panel 2 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Methodology of Nobin Udyokya (New Entrepreneurs) Programme

The event also created an opportunity for participants to engage in various interactive panel sessions and workshops to broaden PAGE 3

their understanding in their relevant areas of interest. A total of 12 concurrent panel discussions took place at the venue. Topics covered included social businesses in the academic world; methodology of Nobin Udyokya (New Entrepreneurs) programme; financing social business; social business and technology; social business and healthcare; microfinance as social business; social business and youth network; sources of funds for social business; Social Business Design Lab; Social Business in Greater China; Meet the Nobin Udyoktas; and Question and Answers of Social Business. ISSUE NO:07, SEPTEMBER 2015

There were two panels which discussed elaborately about the theme of the event: Panel 2 moderated by MD of Grameen Telecom Trust Ms. Parveen Mahmud discussed about the methodology of the Nobin Udyokta Program. The other speakers in the Panel were Ms. Saleha Begum, (MD, Grameen Byabosa Bikash), Ms. Nazneen Sultana (MD, Grameen Communications), Mr. Kh. Mustafizur Rahman, (GM, Grameen Kalyan), Mr. Mir Hossain Chowdhury, (DGM, Grameen Trust) and Mr. Jayanta Kumer Bosu, (Team Leader, Social Business & Program Support, GTT). In the discussion the youth unemployment was addressed and how NU program can act as a tool to transform a job seeker to a job giver. The methodology of the NU program was discussed and the steps one needs to follow if they want to be a NU were also addressed. The NU selection process, the importance of business proposal & its financial analysis, the approval process of the business proposal which is presented at the social business design lab, NU investments, NU reporting format & the role of Social Business Pedia were all discussed elaborately. There was also an interactive discussion session where the way forward for the NU program was discussed and PAGE 04|

the possibility of assisting the NU to gain market access through Grameen Poshra in the long run was also addressed. Panel 12 was moderated by Managing Director of Grameen Telecom & CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust Mr. Ashraful Hassan. The panel introduced the successful Nobin Udyoktas (NU) and discussed their journey from a job seeker to a job giver. The speakers in the panel were Mr. Mohammad Ehsanul Bari (MD and CEO, Grameen Krishi Foundation), Mr. S.M. Shamim Anwar (MD, Grameen Shamogree), Ms. Shohagi Alom Nupur (NU, Shohagi Varieties Store, Grameen Shakti Samajik Byabosha Ltd), Ms. Jannatul Afrin (NU, Erina Fashion Tailors & Boutique House, Grameen Shakti Samajik Byabosha Ltd), Mr. Md. Faruk Hossain (NU, Faruk Community Information Center, Grameen Trust), Mr. Md. Abdur Rahman (NU, Sharna Twinkle Craft Ltd., Grameen Trust), Ms. Asmatara Begum (NU, Tara Boutiques and Tailors, Grameen Telecom Trust) and Mr. Md. Shamsur Alam, (NU, Saiyada Krishi Farm, Grameen Kalyan). The NUs shared their experiences and how the individual companies helped them become successful entrepreneurs. GRAMEEN TELECOM TRUST

N ob in Udyo kta Highlights Investment Agreements with Nobin Udyoktas Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) signed investment agreements with three hundred & eight (308) Nobin Udyoktas (New Entrepreneurs) till 31st July, 2015. Two hundred thirty nine (239) Nobin Udyokta (NU) businesses are already in operation. These aspiring entrepreneurs are all children of Grameen Bank families

Mst. Bithi Begum, a 26 year old Nobin Udyakta presenting her plan on setting up handicraft business at the 92nd Social Business Design Lab. Her proposal to set up her business from Grameen Telecom Trust has been approved

who plan to start new businesses or scale up existing ones. GTT under its NU Program is providing assistance to them through investments and other ancillary services. The aim is to establish the youth as entrepreneurs who will be self employed and beyond self employment will create jobs for others. Nobin Udyokta Brief as on 31st July, 2015 GTT NU Working Area

Equity Contribution Breakdown 09 districts GTT

43%

Nobin Udyokta

GTT NU Field offices in operation

NU Field officers Currently in Field

17 Female

NU Projects Approved

322 BDT. 444,356

Average Business Size

57%

Gender Breakdown 19

Male

303

Total

322

Employment Generation

USD. 5696.9 Before

322

($1=Tk. 78)

Increase Investment Recouped from NUs PAGE 5

62 Total

287 609

ISSUE NO:07, SEPTEMBER 2015

so c ial busin ess learn in g and in novation fun d (SBLIF) BRIEF Grameen Telecom Trust has created the Social Business Learning and Innovation Fund (SBLIF) to encourage innovative enterprises to undertake social businesses to address social issues. SBLIF intends to support Social business models through learning by doing approach on a pilot basis. Successful and tested models can gradually be scaled up and replicated.

Current Projects under SBLIF SN 01

Project Name SDRS Handicraft Social Business

Partners/ Working Area

Objectives Crafting livelihood of rural women through handicrafts

SDRS, Gaibandha

Advocating green energy through female producers 02

SDRS Solar Social Business

SDRS, Gaibandha

SKS Social Business

SKS Foundation, Gaibandha

Reaching out to the ultra-poor ensuring their prosperity

Aroni Social Business

Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), Thakurgaon

Boosting the indigenous community through employment and competitive wages

Mobile Nursery Plant Clinic

Green Savers Association, Dhaka

Endorsing greenery for a greener Dhaka with the youth (students)

Mushroom Seed Social Business

Ashika Manobik Unnayon Kendra, Rangamati

Promoting organic farming in ethnic community

Niamatpur Sweets Ltd.

Lustre, Niamatpur, Naogaon

Red Worm Vermicompost

Mr. Sazzad Hossain, Tangail

Promoting organic fertilizer to enrich agrarian soil of Bangladesh

Green Eco-Tech Ltd.

Mr. Ardhendu Sarkar (Ripon), Faridpur

Providing biomass electricity energy-deprived region

The profit generated shall be invested in digital school for underprivileged children from January 2016

Upholding local delicacies The profit generated shall be used in operating blood bank in the village

SBLIF Employment Generation SN

Project Name

Male

Female

Total

Full-time

Part-time

Full-time

Part-time

Full-time

Part-time

SDRS Handicraft Social Business

450

SDRS Solar Social Business

SKS Social Business

Aroni Social Business

Mobile Nursery Plant Clinic

Mushroom Seed Social Business

Niamatpur Sweets Ltd.

Red Worm Vermicompost

TOTAL

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502

542

GRAMEEN TELECOM TRUST

Grameen Telec om Trust Brief 20th Board Meeting of Grameen Telecom Trust held

The 20th Board Meeting of GTT being conducted

The 20th Board Meeting of Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) was held on 11th August, 2015. The meeting was chaired by Honorable Chairman of GTT, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. All departments updated the Board of Trustees on various operational issues. After the presentations and discussions, the board took a number of decisions and set future plans. Screening Exercise of Nobin Udyokta in Jobra, Hathazari, Chittagong.

The day long screening exercise was held on Saturday, 25th July 2015 at Union Council Office, Fatehpur Union, Hathazari Chittagong. The exercise included briefing, discussion and break away sessions. Sixty Five (65) potential Nobin Udyoktas (New Entrepreneurs) participated at the workshop. The engagement was conducted by the social business team of GTT, lead by the Team Leader of Social Business Mr. Jayanta Kumer Bosu. Coordinator, Social Business Mr. K.M. Saleheen also spoke in the session. Regional Manager of Grameen Kalyan (Health Program, Hathazari) and Manager Grameen Bank (Jobra, Hathazari Branch) were also present. This is a part of the Nobin Udyokta program of GTT that scouts young and aspiring entrepreneurs (belonging to families of Grameen Bank borrowers) and supports them in setting up their own ventures by providing various form of assistance. The aim is to turn them in to job creators rather than being job seekers. In-house-Executive Design Lab

The ninth (9th) Nobin Udyokta Screening Exercise took place in Jobra, Hathazari, Chittagong. Jobra is the birthplace of Micro Credit.

In-house executive design lab being conducted

Nobin Udyokta screening exercise in Jobra

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A total of seven (7) in-house executive design labs have been conducted at the Grameen ISSUE NO:07, SEPTEMBER 2015

Telecom Trust premises till 31st July, 2015. In total one hundred & fifty four (154) Nobin Udyokta (NU) cases have been presented so far at the executive design lab where NU’s from Thakurgoan, Kurigram, Gaibandha & Jessore participated in the event. As on 31st July 2015, Grameen Telecom Trust signed Investment Agreements with three hundred & twenty two (322) Nobin Udyoktas (New Entrepreneurs) and Operations Agreement on Nine (09) Social Business Projects. Social Business Design Lab

Six Nobin Udyokta businesses were approved at the 92nd Social Business Design Lab on 11th July, 2015.

So far till July 31st, 2015 the total number of Design Labs conducted was ninety-two (92). Participants from different organizations attended these programs. Social Business Design Lab is a half day long program where people from diverse backgrounds attend, learn, brainstorm and evaluate on potential social business ideas. The Design Labs were chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. The design labs were divided in three parts- update of past social business projects, presentation of new proposed projects and group discussion suggesting improvements on those projects. As of 31st July 2015, Grameen Telecom Trust signed Investment Agreements with three hundred & twenty two (322) Nobin Udyoktas (New Entrepreneurs) and Operations Agreement on Nine (09) Social Business Projects. In-House Training-HR Development Training on Microsoft Office Excel 2007

From 14th – 18th June 2015, an in-house training on “Microsoft Office Excel 2007” for beginners was held for the employees of Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) at the Social Business Learning Centre (Level 5 of GTT premises). This arrangement was made to provide an introduction to use of Microsoft Office Excel. The training was conducted by Assistant Manager of IT, Mr. Faisal Alam and a total of 16 participants from GTT attended the session. PAGE 8

GRAMEEN TELECOM TRUST

C ASE STUDY

Nobin Udyokta of Grameen Telecom Trust

Ms. Mafia Parvin- Choa Boutiques

Ms. Mafia Parvin from Rangpur presented her business proposal in the 71st Social Business Design Lab on 16th April, 2015 where she put forward a request of an investment of BDT 150,000 ($ 1,899) from GTT with her share of contribution of BDT 365,000 ($4,620). The investment amount was disbursed in May, 2015 and she started her endeavor by the end of the month. Previously, she operated her business from her residence and had only five(5) people working for her where two(2) were females; however, after the investment from GTT, she expanded her Boutiques, thus generating employment for 13 (thirteen) people {6 (six) males & 7 (seven) females)} in her business. She is currently supplying in boutiques in retail shops as a wholesaler and plans to enhance and promote her business primarily through the brand named â&#x20AC;&#x153;Choa Boutiquesâ&#x20AC;? in the locality and all over Bangladesh in near future. She started off with a mere investment of BDT 465,000 ($5,886) but half-year account closing operation in June, 2015 has revealed that her total asset to be BDT 535,940 ($6,784), which is an increase of BDT 70,940 ($898). Her remarkable growth in the business is an inspirational example for the thousands of new potential female entrepreneurs of the Nobin Udyokta program.

SAVE THE DATE Global Social Business Summit 2015 November 03-07, 2015 Berlin, Germany

Social Business Day 2016 July 28-29, 2016 Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Advisor

Editorial Team

Professor Muhammad Yunus Jayanta Kumer Bosu Abu Md. Munayeem

Executive Editor Parveen Mahmud FCA

Muhammad Faisal Alam