The Bihar Government on Monday announced the launch of the 2nd Bihar Innovation Forum, a joint initiative of the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA), in collaboration with the State Innovation Council, Bihar.

The forum aims to attract innovators with impactful social innovations from public, private and civil society organisations registered in India, under eight livelihood themes — agriculture, livestock, financial services, rural energy, ICT-based solutions, skill development & non-farm sector, access to entitlements and access to services, according a release. The last date for applications is May 28, 2013.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said: “Through the 2nd Bihar Innovation Forum, the Bihar Government looks forward to supporting such unique social innovations that have seen impact in different geographies across India and can be replicated in the state of Bihar.”

The shortlisted entries will get an opportunity to partner with the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society to replicate and scale up their innovations in Bihar through formal partnership modalities, the release added.

“The winners will get an opportunity to access social capital of one million organised rural households to which an investment of $120 million has already been made. The investment will increase to $1 billion and is expected to take the number of organised households to 15 million by 2017 and will also receive last-mile delivery and field level logistical and implementation support form JEEViKA,’’ the release added.

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