The project provided solid waste management and entrepreneurship training to rural youth, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to develop waste-management businesses and promote sustainable waste practices.

IDS partnered with the TERI School of Advanced Studies in Delhi, drawing on the expertise of Ashish Jain, a founding member of the India Pollution Control Association (IPCA), to provide specialized training in solid waste management to approximately 12 young people interested in developing careers and businesses in the sector. The participants were primarily selected from rural areas of Haryana, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. The training introduced them to different aspects of waste-management ecosystems, including the separation of dry and wet waste, biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials, different types of plastic waste, recyclable materials, hazardous waste, and e-waste. In addition to technical knowledge, the program focused on preparing participants to become entrepreneurs in the waste-management sector. Training included project management, networking, business incorporation, and financial management, providing participants with practical knowledge needed to establish and operate small enterprises. The initiative builds on IDS's longstanding collaboration with the India Pollution Control Association (IPCA) and the broader momentum created by India's Swachh Bharat (Clean India) initiative. By combining environmental education with entrepreneurship training, the project sought to create employment opportunities while encouraging more effective and sustainable waste management. Participants reported that the training strengthened both their understanding of waste management and their confidence in pursuing entrepreneurship in the sector.