User:Mallikarjuna Iytha/sandbox

Mr. Mallikarjuna Iytha is a Social Entrepreneur and Skill Development & Fair Trade expert in India with more than  twenty years’ experience. Presently he is President of Fair Trade Forum-India and Managing Director of F-Tec Skill Development. He is also part of the core team of Ekal Sansthan and Trustee of Ekal Gramottan Foundation. He is actively associated with organizations like SEARCH and as Co-Founder of Believe India Fair Trade he played an important role in establishing a platform for social enterprises in India. He is also Independant Director in few companies including Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN) and Founded a unique initiative recently, 'Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreuner Association' (IDEA), an association of Disabled Entrepreuners in India. Poverty Alleviation, Market Development for Pro-Poor micro enterprises of SHGs and Producer Groups, Sustainable Consumption and Fair Trade is his expertise area. At present he is actively engaged in strengthening Civil Society movement in India. Mallikarjuna has extensively travelled throughout India as part of Nationwide Network Building initiative in development sector among NGOs, CBOs, MFIs, SHPIs, SHGs, Government officials, Academicians and Social Activists, and established direct contact with grassroots organizations, Artisans and Producers. Successfully implemented various grass root level micro enterprise development, cluster development projects throughout India and well versed with the challenges in the pro-poor enterprise development. Instrumental in creating a Section-25 Company (MFI) to carry out Micro Finance Operation from Vidharbha region of Maharashtra. He implemented and involved with several projects related to poverty alleviation, education, economic rehabilitation of earthquake victims, economic empowerment of marginalized communities, Fair Trade, skill development  etc.

Conducted several Research Studies, authored five books and Recipient of “Pillar of Civil Society in India” award from Honorable President of India and several other recognitions and prizes throughout the career. He is an alumni of prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).