Policy Impact And Institutional Support For Green Entrepreneurship - A Regional Study On Government Initiatives In Southern Kerala

Abstract

The sustainable development Goals emphasis on environmental conservation has paved the way for the growth of green entrepreneurship business ventures that prioritize eco-friendly practices while contributing to economic progress. The public policy and institutional frameworks become vital role in nurturing an ecosystem for green entrepreneurs. The study investigates how government policies, subsidies, training, and institutional support structures influence the emergence, growth, and sustainability of green enterprises. The research adopts a mixed-method approach combining quantitative data from 150 green entrepreneurs across diverse sectors organic farming, eco-tourism, renewable energy, sustainable textiles, and waste management with qualitative interviews from key officials in government departments and representatives of supporting institutions. The study examines various policy instruments such as financial incentives, tax relief, start-up schemes, and incubation programs, under the Kerala State Entrepreneurship Development Mission (KSEDM), the Kerala Start-up Mission, and green initiatives promoted by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The findings reveal that while awareness of green business schemes has improved, a considerable gap persists between policy intent and ground-level implementation. Entrepreneurs reported bureaucratic delays, lack of clarity on eligibility, and inadequate post-funding support. However, institutional actors like Kudumbashree, Kerala Financial Corporation, and local Panchayats play a key role in facilitating grassroots-level eco-enterprise models, especially among women and marginalized groups. The study further highlights the need for integrated policy design, capacity-building workshops, localized handholding support, and public-private partnerships to enhance the sustainability of green ventures. It recommends actionable strategies for policymakers, institutional stakeholders, and development agencies to bridge policy-execution gaps for strengthening as eco-innovation and green economic transition.