Women Entrepreneurs Access Connect Transform
...PROJECT WeAct
Women Entrepreneurs – Access Connect Transform (WeAct) is a forum for women entrepreneurs of rural regions to provide them with handholding assistance so that they do profitable and sustainable businesses. EDII has partnered with Accenture to implement the WeAct forum, which supports nano and micro women entrepreneurs by providing a platform for them to network and represent their products, allowing them to gain entrepreneurial knowledge & technological know-how, and undertake product improvement. WeAct is a one stop platform for rural women entrepreneurs who wish to improve their businesses. The project rests on the pillars of market exposure, product creation, networking, and incubation and mentorship.
In a significant move, an Emporium has been set up at EDII Ahmedabad campus under WeAct Project to display the products of women as members under the Project. This Emporium shall give a wider visibility and enhance the scope of market linkages for the enterprises nurtured under We Act. The Emporium is also serving as a convergence platform for women enterprises from different projects like Handmade in India, Accenture MSDP and HCL Sattva.
WeAct has been instrumental in providing necessary support to the enrolled women entrepreneurs through its various initiatives and approaches. A few are stated below.
The Emporium was inaugurated on 4th December, 2021 by (in the centre) the Hon’ble Union Minister, MSME, Shri Narayan Tatu Rane. Also present at the inauguration were (3rd from L) Dr. Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, DICCI & esteemed EDII board member; (L to R) Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General – EDII; Dr. Raman Gujral, Director – Project (Corporates); and other eminent policy makers, entrepreneurs, artisans and academicians.
Elevating Skill Levels... A joint initiative of Accenture and EDII
- Unnati Mentorship Programme – Accenture Emphasizing on the significance of skills in building a livelihood, EDII has been implementing Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programme (MSDP) with support of Accenture for enhancing livelihood options among women. The mandate is to provide women folks with skills to ensure employment or own micro business. MSDPs are designed to motivate and develop entrepreneurs towards establishing ‘Local Resource and Demand based Sustainable Micro-enterprises’ by providing them with practical exposure and theoretical inputs. The programme is being implemented in semi-urban and rural areas of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttarakhand to strengthen local economies by promoting entrepreneurship, innovation. Accenture has now initiated a unique programme termed as the Unnati Mentorship Programme under which the experts/volunteers provide mentorship to the participants in setting up business accounts, logo designing, developing product description, and improving the quality of products. Under this programme, 4 groups of entrepreneurs have been provided support. In an encouraging move, WeAct has linked 13 new groups to this programme for mentorship and support.
- Social Media Mentorship Programme WeAct initiated has initiated a Social Media Mentorship Program to support its members by helping them establish their enterprise on the social media platform; with handholding support from Accenture volunteers. Members are introduced to social media and are imparted all knowledge and information in using various social media platforms to escalate the prospects of their business.
- Energizer Workshop on ‘GST Registration & its Importance in Business’ was organized by WeAct for members from Karnataka. 48 members benefitted.
On the occasion of Kannada Rajyostava, entrepreneurs registered under WeAct participated in an exhibition to directly connect with buyers. Entrepreneurs at the exhibition showcased their products. This exposure visit connected participants with other entrepreneurs, helped them understand consumer preferences and market trends. They registered impressive sales.
Mrs. Praseetha, 21-year-old lady from Annamanada was imparted training in Entrepreneurship. She started manufacturing toilet cleaning products in her village. She was mentored and handheld under WeAct to expand her business in tier 2 cities by adopting novel networking and marketing strategies.
