Diamonds Do Good (DDG) has selected 13 entrepreneurs from six diamond-producing countries in Africa and India to receive grants totaling $100,000. 

DDG provided the funds as part of its third annual Entrepreneurship Grant program, it said Wednesday. The individuals will each receive between $5,000 and $20,000 in financial aid to enable them to advance their businesses and improve their social impact.  

The board members and supporters announced the grants to the winners in a live Zoom ceremony. This year’s recipients were from Botswana, India, Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. Some 90% of natural diamonds are cut and polished in these six countries, which span diverse industries including agriculture, education, electronics and energy.  

 “Diamonds Do Good is thrilled to continue its support of entrepreneurs who hail from communities where natural diamonds are mined, cut and crafted into exquisite jewelry,” said DDG executive director Nancy Orem Lyman. “Our Entrepreneurship Grant winners embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and the power of innovative ideas to create positive change.”  

Image: Rough diamonds. (Shutterstock)