Gilgit: . Accelerate Prosperity, in partnership with Karakoram International University, has formally inaugurated the Centre for Green Innovation (CGI) in Gilgit, marking an important milestone in strengthening the ecosystem for green innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable enterprise in Gilgit-Baltistan. Funded by the European Union, the Centre serves as a dedicated space to support entrepreneurs, young innovators and emerging businesses in developing solutions to the environmental and economic challenges facing the region.
The Centre brings together entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability in a dedicated space designed to support entrepreneurs, young innovators and emerging businesses in developing solutions to the environmental and economic challenges facing the region.
The inauguration was graced by His Excellency Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan; Prof. Dr. Abdul Razaq, Acting Vice-Chancellor, Karakoram International University; Mr. Akhtar Iqbal, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan; and Mr. Zahir Sakhi, Country Director, Accelerate Prosperity, alongside representatives from partner organisations and the local innovation ecosystem.
CGI is a collaborative initiative of Accelerate Prosperity and KIU, bringing together Accelerate Prosperity’s experience in entrepreneurship development, business support and investment readiness with KIU’s academic and innovation ecosystem.
The Centre provides a platform for co-working, collaboration, knowledge exchange and enterprise development, enabling entrepreneurs and innovators to develop ideas, access expertise, build networks and explore pathways to commercialisation and growth.
The Centre’s work is particularly relevant to Gilgit-Baltistan, where communities and businesses face challenges linked to energy access and efficiency, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and sustainable economic development. CGI will provide a platform for developing and supporting locally relevant solutions across these areas.
The Centre will also contribute to strengthening connections between innovation, entrepreneurship and investment, helping promising ideas move beyond the conceptual stage towards viable businesses and practical solutions with potential for wider impact.
The establishment of CGI reflects a shared commitment by Accelerate Prosperity and KIU to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gilgit-Baltistan and creating greater opportunities for young people, innovators and businesses to contribute to the region’s sustainable economic development.
As CGI begins its work, the Centre will serve as a space where entrepreneurs, students, innovators, institutions and ecosystem partners can connect and collaborate, creating new pathways for ideas to become enterprises and for locally developed solutions to address local challenges.
Accelerate Prosperity is an initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network that supports entrepreneurs and small and growing businesses in emerging markets through business development, mentorship, market linkages and access to finance. In Pakistan, Accelerate Prosperity works with businesses across several sectors to help them build stronger, sustainable and investment-ready enterprises.
