India's first 'Skill Impact Bond' launched

Last Updated29/10/2021

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) launched the ‘Impact Bond’ for skill development in India in collaboration with global partners.
This is first-of-its-kind and the largest ‘Impact Bond’ for skilling in India in partnership with global partners.
It includes a fund of US$ 14.4 million, which will help 50,000 youth by making them job ready.

It is the first impact bond involving public, private partners and a Public Private Partnership organization, NSDC.
As a financial product, “Skill Impact Bond” is a philanthropic start-up.
It is basically a cooperative attempt of NSDC and renowned global organisations and individuals to improve skilling outcomes in India.
Impact bonds are ground-breaking financing instruments that leverage private sector capital and expertise, with a focus on attaining results.
It is also a unique financial tool, which applies an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy and safeguards accountability.
The plan aims to make a transformational influence especially in the lives of women.
The bond swings the focus from inputs to performance and outcomes.
Unlike most of the schemes, no public source or a contributor finances such projects upfront.
Rather, private investors (risk investors) initially finance the initiative and are reimbursed by ‘outcome funders’, only if agreed-upon outcomes are attained.
Here the risk investors are NSDC and MSDF.
They have pledged US$ 4 million to offer upfront working capital to the service providers.
This money will be used to execute the plan for the lifetime of the impact bond, which is currently four years.
If outcome delivery is accomplished, risk investor support will be then reinvested each year.

The objective is to try to overcome the employment crisis among the youth, especially young women.
The need for bonds was felt to offset the negative impact on employment during the pandemic.
This collaboration is designed to build the capacity of India’s skilling and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) ecosystem through knowledge exchange with global partners.
The stakeholders will work towards promoting interventions, supporting research and enhancing impact of the skill development program.
The coaching can be imparted by means of NSDC’s affiliated coaching companions, who’ve been reviewed and chosen for his or her strengths.