Talking about the significance of Sustainable Development Goals, the fifth goal especially draws our attention, for it says, “Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all girls and women.” Under its CSR partnerships, EDII experiments with various models, perspectives and strategies to evolve a curriculum that renders self-sufficiency and economic & social empowerment to women. These are ongoing initiatives. Let us delve into some of these undertaken over the last one year:
Project RISE, supported by Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), focuses on Technology-Based Entrepreneurship among women. During the financial year 2025–26, 1,277 women were trained, leading to the establishment of 252 women-owned enterprises, including 58 group enterprises and 194 individual enterprises. Through EDII-supported market linkage initiatives including exhibitions, wholesale channels and institutional market access, women entrepreneurs notched approximately Rs. 2.4 crore in sales during the year.
Project Sankalp, supported by Standard Chartered Bank, focuses on building the skills and entrepreneurial capabilities of rural women in 10 selected locations across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through Skill-based Entrepreneurship Development Programmes. Under the project, 726 women entrepreneurs successfully completed skill-based training. The initiative facilitated 235 Udyam registrations, formation of 49 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and 294 FSSAI registrations, ensuring compliance and formal recognition. Additionally, 420 women entrepreneurs received post-training handholding and enterprise support through WeAct.
While EDII has put several artisanal clusters on a high-growth path by addressing them through the cluster approach, it is commendable how corporates today are equally committed to uplifting the weavers of India. The three-year project HandMade in India, supported by HSBC and implemented by EDII, has promoted skills and competencies among 1,550 weavers across Bhuj, Gujarat and Erode, Tamil Nadu. Of the 596 women artisans and weavers reached out to till date, 393 women developed capabilities in design, networking, innovation and credit management last year, which reflected in their productivity, brand development and revenues. This led to the establishment of 82 women-owned enterprises.
Project Skills to Succeed – Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programme (MSDP), supported by Accenture Solutions Pvt. Ltd., is mandated to empower rural youth and women by providing skill and enterprise creation training through sustainable technology and business models. Women have notably benefitted through livelihood creation, employment generation, asset creation and revenue generation on a sustainable basis. The project is being implemented in selected regions across Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In the last one year, the project ensured training to 8,066 women, resulting in the creation of 3,207 women-owned enterprises. Collectively, the beneficiaries availed loans worth Rs. 34.16 lakh.
Women entrepreneurs trained under Project Skills to Succeed – Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programme (MSDP), supported by Accenture Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Another Accenture Pvt. Ltd.-supported initiative, Women Entrepreneurs Access Connect Transform (WeAct), provides EDII-trained women entrepreneurs with platforms for market access, business growth and peer learning. Among other activities, WeAct members participated in more than 21 Vocal for Local exhibitions across Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Assam. Over 1,500 WeAct members participated, reaching out to a diverse client base and recording total approximate sales of more than Rs. 7 lakh.
Also, under the Micro Skillpreneurship Development Programme (MSDP), supported by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), 32 MSDPs were successfully completed in the last year in the areas of Fashion Technology, Jute Bag Manufacturing, Mobile Repair & Maintenance, Beauty Parlour and Food Processing, benefiting a total of 1,280 beneficiaries, comprising 1,200 women. Promotion of 300 new enterprises, out of which 280 are women-led, is a major highlight of the last year.
Hearteningly, under Project UDAYA 4.0, supported by Tata Communications Limited, over the last one year, 60 micro-enterprises were established by women entrepreneurs in the Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, generating employment for 90 people.
“Through strategic CSR partnerships, EDII continues to champion women-led entrepreneurship, ensuring that growth is not only economic, but equitable and enduring,” says Dr. Raman Gujral, Professor & Director – Department of CSR Partnerships.
EDIl is massively undertaking women entrepreneurship with focus on entrepreneurship training, skill development and capacity building. We foresee brighter days ahead, with entrepreneurship ecosystem also supporting women as entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises through SHE-Marts.
Felicitation
Ms. Archana Saharia Kalita was honoured during the National Youth Day celebrations on January 12, 2026 for her remarkable work in mushroom cultivation. The award was presented by Shri Dilip Saikia, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Darrang–Udalguri). Archana received training under the MSDP in mushroom cultivation and completed a one-month course in entrepreneurship development and technical skills. Post training, she began small-scale mushroom cultivation and steadily expanded to over 100 cultivation bags, eventually establishing Tripti Enterprises to ensure consistent production and market supply. Today, her enterprise provides sustainable livelihood to her and her family.
Shraddha Handloom, established under the Accenture-supported MSDP, has reached a remarkable milestone through the exemplary leadership of Ms. Panbai Sanjot and her husband. The venture has been awarded Second Prize in Handloom Fabric Craft at the State-Level Competition.
This accolade was formally conferred by the Cottage & Rural Industries Department, Government of Gujarat. The award was presented on January 18, 2026 during the prestigious Vibrant Gujarat event in Rajkot, recognising the enterprise’s contribution to preserving traditional handloom artistry while embracing entrepreneurial excellence.
Last two months were fulfilling…
Artisans and handloom weavers often remain underutilised due to limited market exposure and lack of knowledge. Addressing these challenges, Project Aarohan, supported by TATA Power, and HandMade in India (HMI), supported by HSBC, have been playing a key role in supporting artisan-based enterprises. Under Project HMI, credit linkages amounting to Rs. 50 lakh were facilitated. Artisans were issued 4 Pehchan Cards, 16 Artisan Cards and 56 Handloom Mark certifications were procured. Additionally, 68 artisan enterprises were formally registered under the MSME/Udyam Aadhaar framework. Through well-curated exhibitions and market platforms, artisans and handloom weavers generated sales of Rs. 23.46 lakh under Project HMI and Project Aarohan.
14 entrepreneurs trained under Project Udyamee 2.0, supported by Utkal Alumina International Ltd. (UAIL), participated in Chaiti Mela 2025 in Rayagada and Sisira Sarasa Mela in Bhubaneswar. Through these exhibitions, the entrepreneurs generated appreciable sales. The exhibitions provided them with access to wider markets and enabled direct interaction with customers.
Also, 450 students gained knowledge on the benefits of pursuing entrepreneurship as a career under Project UDAYA 4.0, supported by Tata Communications Limited, in 9 sensitisation and awareness sessions conducted on entrepreneurship in the Raigad and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra.
EDII is closely working with leading corporates under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to foster entrepreneurship among women, youth, PwDs, artisans and marginalised communities by equipping them with essential skills, knowledge and tools.