Social business activities of Grameen Trust

Abstract

Grameen Trust has been a member of the Grameen Bank family since 1989. They are committed to the cause of poverty alleviation. They are a trusted name in the social business sector. One of the focal parts of their operation is their Social business program. They are connected to social business program through four different faucets, which are Grameen Intel Social Business Limited, Grameen Trust Sampan, Grameen Shakti Shamajik Babshay Limited (GSSBL) and Nobin Udoykta Program, which is also supported by GSSBL. Grameen Intel Social Business Limited is a joint collaboration initiative between Grameen Trust and Intel Corporation. Grameen Intel is providing IT solutions by creating software applications to rural entrepreneurs, who provide a service using computing technology in their local communities that address specific social problems such as low agriculture output or lack of pre-natal care. Grameen Trust Sampan is doing social business for Physically Challenged especially for the blind by providing them training to make note books for students and make themselves self-sufficient. Grameen Shakti Samajik Byabosa Ltd. (GSSB) a joint collaboration of Grameen Trust and Grameen Shakti incepted in 2010. GSSB is serving the rural poor households by providing them improved cook stoves at a reasonable cost; it is also involved in Nobin Udoykta Program. Nobin Udoykta Program is a new addition to Grameen Trust’s social business wing. Through Nobin Udoykta program, Grameen Trust helps the children of Grameen Bank’s members, who have taken loan from Grameen Bank by investing in their business or help start them one. Till August 2015, Grameen Trust has approved proposal for investment in 304 such businesses.