Udyogini's direct implementation
projects are “field laboratories”, where we learn
from the actual challenges women face, as they begin to transform
their skills and learning to enterprise development. This
first-hand knowledge sharpens our core business of training
and curriculum design and delivery to our NGO and government
colleagues. Grassroots projects have also challenged us to
think about the external environment and systems that confront
small-scale women producers. It has helped us to organize
associations and marketing initiatives to overcome these barriers.
Udyogini is piloting its framework with vulnerable
communities in three different sub-sectors and diverse social
and economic situations.
1. The harsh desert district of Bikaner of
north-western Rajasthan, bordering Pakistan, with women refugees
who migrated from Pakistan after the two wars of 1965 and
1971, is the site of one of our field laboratories that focuses
on handicraft (hand embroidery) development.
2. The second grassroots project is with
tribal women, non-timber forest produce (NTFP) collectors
in the forest areas of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh in
central India. This is Udyogini's largest project, spanning
support in 60 villages of the district.
3. Udyogini's third laboratory project is
among urban slum dwellers in Saharanpur, UP, with early community
mobilization and microenterprises focused on consumables and
consumption services.
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