The TAG initiative is deeply committed to providing practical, actionable solutions tailored to the unique needs of informal entrepreneurs in India. Our overarching goal is to facilitate the integration of informal sector workers into the formal economy while concurrently addressing a spectrum of challenges spanning social, economic, and operational domains. This multifaceted mission hinges on our interdisciplinary research approach, which enables us to comprehensively analyze and address the complex issues encountered by the informal sector. The heart of our initiative lies in understanding the realities of India’s informal workforce. This vast sector encompasses various individuals engaged in activities ranging from street vending and small-scale manufacturing to unregistered service providers, all of whom contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. However, they often grapple with issues such as limited access to credit, financial instability, lack of social security, and limited avenues for growth and expansion. To address these challenges, the TAG initiative employs a multifaceted approach. We conduct rigorous interdisciplinary research, collaborating with experts from various fields, such as economics, sociology, and business management. This approach allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and devise pragmatic, feasible solutions. Our solutions are designed to be readily adoptable by informal entrepreneurs. These may include measures like financial literacy programs, microfinance initiatives, and skill development programs, aiming to bolster their economic stability and growth prospects. Additionally, we work on developing strategies for improving their access to social safety nets, ensuring better living standards and overall well-being. Moreover, by bridging the gap between the formal and informal sectors, our initiative seeks to create a more inclusive and robust economy. It encourages the informal workforce to operate within the legal framework, enabling them to access better opportunities, resources, and protections. In sum, TAG’s mission is to empower India’s informal entrepreneurs by addressing their unique challenges through practical, implementable solutions. By conducting interdisciplinary research, we aim to bring the informal sector workers into the mainstream economy, fostering social and economic growth and improving their overall quality of life.

Vision

• Provide practical and adoptable solutions to the informal entrepreneurs in India

Mission

• The main purpose of the TAG is to bring the informal sector workers into the mainstream and solve social, economic, and operational problems in the informal sector by conducting interdisciplinary research.

Proposed initiative

• The TAG is planning to organize a research talk in the month of January or February 2024. Evans Osabuohien, Professor of Economics and the Head of the Department of Economics & Development Studies at Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria is the resource person.