PG Launches “Entrepreneurship for the Future” Incubation Program to Support CDM Defectors
To empower Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) soldiers, police officers, and their families who defected to the side of the people during the Spring Revolution, People’s Goal (PG) launched the “Entrepreneurship Incubation Program” in September 2025. The initiative is implemented in collaboration with the technical advisory and supervisory team from The Next Step Project, with the aim of strengthening economic resilience and long term self reliance among former defectors and CDM personnel.
A dedicated selection committee established clear criteria to identify suitable participants. These included active participation in the revolution, a demonstrated commitment to continue contributing to the movement, the ability to operate small businesses ethically and in line with human rights standards, and the overall feasibility of proposed business models. Based on these criteria, 20 CDM soldiers, police officers, and family members were selected to participate in the program.
Through a structured incubation process led by The Next Step Project, participants received training in entrepreneurship and practical business management. In parallel, all participants also received International Humanitarian Law (IHL) training, strengthening their understanding of civilian protection, ethical conduct, and humanitarian principles. This dual approach ensured that economic empowerment was accompanied by a strong grounding in human rights and humanitarian values.
Upon completion of the training, participants were eligible to apply for seed funding from People’s Goal to support their proposed small business projects. A review committee from PG assessed the proposals, and in December, a total of approximately 627,053 Thai Baht was distributed to 14 selected grantees located across Thailand, India, and several liberated areas inside Myanmar.
Grant recipients are now implementing their business plans under the continued supervision and mentoring of People’s Goal and The Next Step Project. Ongoing monitoring and technical support are being provided to ensure responsible use of funds, strengthen business sustainability, and help participants adapt their enterprises to local market conditions.
Through this initiative, People’s Goal seeks not only to support CDM personnel and their families in establishing viable livelihoods, but also to reinforce their continued participation in the revolution. By combining entrepreneurship, ethical business practices, and IHL awareness, the program provides a pathway for defectors to sustain their livelihoods while upholding the values and principles they embraced during the struggle.
