The GDP Foundation (Growth & Development Platform for Goan Youth) has been conferred the prestigious Gomantak Seva Gaurav Puraskar 2026 by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, in recognition of its sustained contributions to skill development, social entrepreneurship, employability enhancement, applied social research and sustainable livelihood creation across Goa.
The award was received on behalf of the Foundation by its trustees, Adv. Ameya Salatry and CA Sandesh Prabhukhanolkar. They were accompanied by Lead Practitioners Prasad Deshande and Vasudev Dhuri, who have been actively involved in driving several grassroots interventions, industry-academia collaborations and livelihood initiatives undertaken by the Foundation.
Over its eight-year journey, GDP Foundation has emerged as a techno-social institution working at the intersection of education, skills, research and community development. Prior to receiving the Gomantak Seva Gaurav Puraskar, the Foundation had also been honoured with the International Rotary Award, GSRLM Seva Pakhwada Award and an International Samrat Club Certificate of Appreciation for its contributions to social impact and livelihood promotion.
The Foundation currently operates three flagship programmes:
- GDP School for Social Entrepreneurship, Skill Building & Applied Social Research: Operating across eight campuses in Goa.
- Demand-Based Skill Building Programmes: Focused on technical trades, traditional livelihoods and tropical agri-enterprises aligned with market demand.
- Applied Social Research Programmes: Implemented in collaboration with three colleges, with the support of the Goa State Research Foundation.
Among its notable achievements are two pioneering initiatives implemented under the Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Yojana (CMKY), powered by the Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (DSDE), Government of Goa.
The first initiative involved the modernisation of the Welding Value Added Course, going beyond the introduction of advanced machinery and equipment. It included a comprehensive revision of the curriculum to align with evolving industry requirements, training and capacity-building of instructors, upskilling of trainees in modern welding technologies, and facilitating employment opportunities for trained candidates in multinational companies. The project created a holistic, industry-linked skilling ecosystem for the welding sector in Goa.
The second landmark initiative is SANMAN, India’s first-of-its-kind vocational certification programme for Static Concrete Pump Operators. Developed in close consultation with Putzmeister Concrete Machines Pvt. Ltd. and DSDE, the programme addresses a critical skill gap in the construction sector while creating specialised employment opportunities for youth with an 8th Standard qualification or ITI background through structured training, assessment, certification and industry engagement.
GDP Foundation has dedicated this recognition to its trustees, advisory board members, practitioners, industry partners, educational institutions, government departments, volunteers and community stakeholders, whose collective efforts continue to contribute towards building a more skilled, entrepreneurial and self-reliant Goa.
The Foundation remains committed to creating scalable and replicable models of social entrepreneurship, skill development and applied social research for wider societal impact.
