Bengaluru: Rural women in India possess valuable traditional skills and
indigenous knowledge; however, these capabilities often remain confined to
low-paying, informal, and subsistence-oriented livelihood activities.
Persistent patriarchal socio-cultural norms, restricted mobility, and systemic
barriers to financial literacy, digital inclusion, and market access limit
their ability to translate these capabilities into viable, scalable, and
formally established enterprises.
Skillpreneurship bridges the gap between skill acquisition
and enterprise creation by equipping rural women to transform their traditional
skills and locally available resources into viable, income-generating
businesses. By strengthening entrepreneurial capabilities, financial autonomy,
and market participation, it fosters sustainable livelihoods, stimulates
grassroots economic development, and enhances women's agency in household
decision-making and community development.
Putting this philosophy into motion, the Entrepreneurship
Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad has launched its Eco-Action
Learning Centre (ELC) in Bengaluru, strengthening its efforts to empower rural
women through entrepreneurship, technology-enabled skill development and
sustainable livelihood opportunities. With more than 2,000 rural women trained
and over 600 women having initiated new enterprises or expanded existing
businesses across its Bengaluru and Manchar centres, the initiative is creating
pathways for women to translate practical skills into income-generating
ventures.
The Eco-Action Learning Centre provides rural women with
hands-on training, access to relevant machinery and equipment, technology
demonstrations and continued business support. The initiative focuses on
helping women identify viable livelihood opportunities, develop market-ready
products and build enterprises rooted in local resources and market demand.
Highlighting the impact of the initiative, Dr. Sunil Shukla,
Director General, EDII, “At EDII, Entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway to rural women’s
economic independence. Through the Eco-Action Learning Centre, we are equipping
women with practical skills, technology and enterprise support to transform
their capabilities into sustainable businesses.”
Sharing the vision for the initiative, Dr. Raman Gujral,
Director, Department of CSR Partnerships, EDII said, “With 2,000+ women trained and 600+
enterprises launched and expanded, the ELC demonstrates the potential of
entrepreneurship to drive grassroots transformation. At EDII, our vision is to
scale this impact across India and create sustainable livelihood opportunities
for more women.”
Across Bengaluru and Manchar, EDII has conducted 46 training
programmes, offering rural women hands-on training in food processing,
cold-pressed oil extraction, solar dehydration, bakery production and mushroom
cultivation. Equipped with specialised machinery, solar dryers and facilities
for hydroponics and sustainable fodder production, the centres combine
practical skill development with entrepreneurship training to help women
develop market-ready products and build sustainable businesses.
The programme’s impact is reflected in the journey of Ruba
Treesa, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur who established Roma Care, a
brand offering handmade soaps, handwash, phenyl and other home-care products
after undergoing EDII’s training programme. With support from the ELC, she
refined her products, while WeAct helped her explore exhibitions, market
linkages and e-commerce opportunities.
Another beneficiary, Shubhangi Jybeep Lagad from
Bighi, Pune, established Shubh Swad Masale after training in value-added
spice products. With EDII’s support in obtaining licences and completing
statutory compliances, she expanded her home-based business into a local market
shop. Today, her enterprise generates a monthly income of over ₹15,000.
Looking ahead, EDII plans to expand the ELC model to Chennai
in 2027-28, targeting 2,000 women through skill development and enterprise
support. By 2030, the institute aims to establish five Eco-Action Learning
Centres across India and support more than 10,000 women, creating greater
opportunities for rural women to build sustainable enterprises and strengthen
local economies.