Scaling Access to Meaningful Employment in India: Navjyoti India Foundation and Automation Anywhere Expand Project Jazba

True transformation starts when a fair and inclusive system supports communities ready to thrive in the new economy. For nearly four decades, Navjyoti India Foundation has been working at the grassroots level to challenge deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities and empower underserved communities on the path to self-reliance. Founded by Dr. Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman IPS officer and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the organization serves as a beacon of hope and action in scaling access to meaningful employment in India. Together, Navjyoti India Foundation and Automation Anywhere’s partnership to expand Project Jazba has made strides in our joint mission to use entrepreneurship and technology training to help bring meaningful economic opportunity to communities in India.

At Automation Anywhere, we believe the digital future of work requires all of us to participate—regardless of background, gender, or geography. India’s position as the fourth-largest GDP and a labor-rich economy offers a unique chance to boost innovation and prosperity by expanding access to technology and entrepreneurship. With strong partnerships and a focus on empowering women, youth, and rural communities, we can close opportunity gaps and create pathways to meaningful work.

In 2023–24, Automation Anywhere joined hands with Navjyoti India Foundation to launch Project Jazba, aimed at establishing an Incubation Centre and Placement Cell at the Navjyoti Skills Academy in Delhi. This unique pilot was designed to help underserved youth transition from job-seekers to job-creators, not only by connecting them with employment opportunities and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, but also by nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. Behind this simple ambition was an audacious plan: to create a grassroots hub where innovation could be incubated, and where young minds could access training, mentorship, and seed capital to bring their ideas to life.

Sowing the seeds of opportunity: Project Jazba’s first year of impact

After a successful pilot, the initiative expanded in 2024–25 to reach a broader base of beneficiaries across Delhi-NCR and the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, significantly increasing the project’s scope and impact. Over 1000 beneficiaries were reached with entrepreneurship awareness and training in the form of an entrepreneurship fair and 15 mentoring sessions across Delhi-NCR. The program has incubated over 60 entrepreneurs, with 20 new entrepreneurs receiving seed funding to expand their businesses.

This impact becomes even more critical in the face of today's global workforce shifts. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, global unemployment has dropped to its lowest level since 1991, at 4.9%. But this topline number hides a range of disparities. While middle-income nations are progressing, unemployment is rising in low-income countries—from 5.1% in 2022 to 5.3% in 2024. India, the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people, will need to upskill its workforce to better prepare its population for jobs of the future and also deal with rising unemployment simultaneously.

But despite these challenges, the future holds immense promise.

The success of the partnership reaffirmed Automation Anywhere and Navjyoti India Foundation’s shared belief in the transformative power of technology when paired with grassroots ambition. What began as an ambitious pilot has now scaled into a thriving initiative, thanks to the dedication and on-ground execution by the Navjyoti India Foundation team.

“Together, we are advancing our mission to empower more women, youth, and rural communities with the skills and support needed to thrive in the new economy, and sowing the seeds of entrepreneurship in places where opportunity has long been scarce." - Ujala Bedi Choudhary, Director - Coalitions and Collaborations

From training to transformation

The incubation program provides training, resources, and industry connections to foster entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. The Placement Cell at Navjyoti Skills Academy—established with support from Automation Anywhere—offers career counseling, job matching, and skill development, directly addressing one of India’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment. In communities where even secondary education is not guaranteed, access to meaningful work can change the trajectory of an individual and their family for generations.

Thanks to the dedication of the Navjyoti India Foundation team, the program has supported over 550 youth through 20 job readiness sessions and two job fairs, leading to increased employment and internship opportunities.

Recognizing that the future of work demands digital fluency, Navjyoti India Foundation partnered with Automation Anywhere to introduce foundational automation courses through Automation Anywhere University. These were delivered at the Skills Academy and within the Remedial Education Program, providing 128 students and staff with Essentials Certification in automation.

Implementing the digital skills program brought challenges—from language barriers to gaps in digital access. These weren’t just technical issues, but reminders that true digital inclusion demands empathy, local context, and adaptability.

We’re proud of the progress made, grateful for the lessons learned, and remain committed to building inclusive, accessible pathways into the future of work.

The true faces of empowerment

At the heart of Project Jazba are 20 entrepreneurs who turned dreams into reality with seed funding and support. From housewives to small business owners, individuals from underserved and marginalized communities have taken their first steps toward financial independence and self-reliance. Driven by passion—by Jazba—they’ve opened new doors for themselves and their families.

Here are some of their inspiring stories:

Nasrin

Driven by the desire to support her family and gain financial independence, Nasrin began her journey with a simple home-based tailoring business. Today, with the help of seed funding, she’s not only strengthening her financial literacy but also scaling her business—proving that with determination and support, dreams can be stitched into reality.

Uttam

A skilled mobile repair technician, Uttam has already built a trusted name in his community. But he isn’t stopping there. He’s now investing in advanced training to keep up with rapid technological change—showing that a commitment to learning is the key to staying ahead.

Sanjeevni

A proud member of the transgender community and a passionate social activist, Sanjeevni runs a tea stall to support her family while advocating for HIV awareness. With rising demand and fresh support, she plans to expand her offerings and grow her business—turning a simple stall into a symbol of strength, resilience, and purpose.

Rajkumar

Rajkumar, part of the LGBTQIA+ community, operates a thriving fast-food stall. Fueled by growing demand, he’s preparing to expand his menu and sharpen his financial skills—turning his vision of entrepreneurship into a powerful example of pride and perseverance.

Poonam

When her husband faced job uncertainty, Poonam saw an opportunity to turn her passion for cooking into a pathway to self-reliance. With training and seed funding, she’s now preparing to launch her own food stall—bringing not only financial stability to her household but also the chance for shared employment.

Pobir

Once the proud owner of a thriving tiffin service, Pobir’s business came to a halt during the COVID-19 lockdowns. But his spirit never wavered. With renewed financial support, digital marketing guidance, and a clear vision, he’s ready to relaunch his business stronger than before—proving that setbacks are just stepping stones on the path to success.

Building for the long run

These are just a few of the real heroes shaping what’s next. Project Jazba broke new ground by expanding access to entrepreneurial and digital skills for underserved communities. In just five months, the initiative supported 20 incubatees across Delhi-NCR through mentorship, awareness programs, and seed funding, all implemented on the ground by the Navjyoti India Foundation, with funding and support from Automation Anywhere.

As part of our shared commitment to building long-term impact, we continue to strengthen the learning ecosystem together. Every year, new infrastructure is added to support holistic development—smart boards to modernize classrooms, industrial sewing machines to power self-financed micro-enterprises, and public address systems to enhance community outreach. These may seem like small additions, but together, they are the building blocks of resilient, scalable systems that enable community-led development.

A playbook for inclusive progress

The success of Project Jazba reminds us that true empowerment goes far beyond skills—it thrives in ecosystems of support, where mentorship, funding, infrastructure, and belief come together to unlock human potential. At Navjyoti Skills Academy, we’re witnessing what inclusive progress truly looks like: a community not waiting for change, but leading it—building their own future through hands-on training and shared purpose.

At Automation Anywhere, we’re proud to stand alongside them—uplifting from the ground up, and working toward a world where opportunity isn’t a privilege for a few, but a promise for all.