National (India CSR): Industree Foundation, a non-profit organisation, that works for the socio-economic upliftment of women in the creative manufacturing domain. It has enabled an ecosystem for economic resilience for rural and tribal women. Industree uses the 6C ecosystem- Construct, Capacity, Create, Channel, Capital, Connect, using technology and the Societal Platform. Focusing on producer-owned institutions/SMEs enables the agency to the vulnerable producers whilst allowing for the scale necessary to access finances for the sustainability of their enterprises.
On the occasion of World Youth Skill Day, 15th July 2022, they intend to highlight the ongoing focus on transforming lives and increasing employment opportunities for women and contribute to the work being done under various skill development and training programmes with sustainable support. Industree promotes Green Skill Development by focusing on intersectional work across Equity, Climate and Gender and that is somehow helping in unlocking green financing.
Green skills are the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society. Skills related to design thinking, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and even empathy, are regarded as critical.
In 2022, Industree provides creative producers with a choice to work in self-owned enterprises, in aggregation, close to home, in a formal workspace sustainably using natural resources accessible near their living areas, rather than in the thrall of middlemen, or in distant factories that often disregard rights and working condition standards.
Industree works extensively in natural fibre and sustainable natural resources based on lifestyle value chains, which have great potential to herald supply chains of the future, that have a positive social and environmental impact.
Another major aspect of imparting green skills is natural resource management, creation of the value chain network and the economic use of natural resources. Financial literacy and financial inclusion through opening a bank account for women and training in managing finances. The curriculum is derived from the many organizations in the microcredit space.
The training includes costing, negotiation, and decision-making. Promotion of green economy enterprises focused on long-term sustainability and regenerative economy. Further, creating a rural circular economy with sustainable materials with a focus on child labour-free, decent and equitable working environment, women’s participation in the formal economy and building sustainable green supply chains of the future.
Bhuvneshwari, a 21-year-old banana basketry producer from the Tamil Nadu POWER site said, “Through the POWER Project funded by USAID it brings very big changes and a lot of positivity in my life”. She proceeds to state “Coming to work and being at the unit brings me joy, as I consider the other women producers to be my own extended family.”
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The POWER Project through Green Skill Development and training provides opportunities for women producers like Bhuvneshwari to be resilient to life crises and encourages them to be economically independent, even in the face of unprecedented obstacles like the global pandemic.
(India CSR)
