Who We Are
Udyogini is a registered non-profit organization working for women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in India.
Who we are – we are all about Women Empowerment. We work with most vulnerable, marginalized women to empower them economically. We listen to their needs and strengthen local resources and ecology for creating sustainable livelihoods. We provide cutting edge solutions – skill based jobs, market based livelihoods and local enterprises suitable to women’s contexts, aspirations and capabilities. We challenge the notion that entrepreneurship is a male-dominated space and connect aspiring women (and youth) with the markets, remove barriers, build skills, and make resources accessible to them.
As women’s income increases, they exercise greater agency and challenge the status quo at home and outside.
48015
Women Entrepreneurs
27,704
Youth in Skilling
224,369
Lives Touched
50%
Annual Income
Our Origin
Udyogini has an exceptional history of inception. It was conceptualised in 1992 by the World Bank to creating a movement for women economic empowerment in India. In that era, we were recognized as a service provider and a resource agency to NGOs and Government Bodies, under the leadership of (Chair and founding member) Ms. Ela Bhatt, the founder of Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). Some of the earliest projects include promoting handicrafts in Pugal, Rajasthan, incense sticks production and chunari making in Saharanpur, UP and curating forest and farm based products in Mandla, MP.
From 2002 onwards, we have evolved as an expert in Entrepreneurship, particularly building livelihoods and creating rural jobs along the entire value chain in rural areas, ensuring that women and youth have a decent income and voice to change their own circumstances.
Currently we are operating in five states – Chhattisgarh. Madhya Pradesh. Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan – engaging with over 50,000 women and youth in 22 different products such as honey, lac, chilli, tamarind, herbal tea, ghee, and many more.
Our Vision
We envision a world where women claim their space with freedom, respect, and the power to make their own choices.
Our Mission
Enabling women to drive socio- economic transformation by creating sustainable
livelihoods through building women’s capacity (knowledge, attitude, skills), fostering
viable micro enterprises, unlocking market opportunities and nurturing a supportive
ecosystem.
Awards and Accolades
2006
Udyogini got the ‘Aga Khan Foundation India Innovation Fund’ (a competitive award) on 2006
2009
Udyogini was one of 5 Indian organizations to be selected by Yale University
2011
Udyogini has won ‘Amodini Award’ for women empowerment
2014
Udyogini was recognized by National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
2015
CEO of Udyogini was selected as Ford Global fellowship program in the USA.
2017
CNBC-TV18 in collaboration with Union Bank of India awarded Udyogini
2018
The 3rd Women Astitva Samman 2018- a recognition to Promote Women Empowerment
2020
Udyogini has recently been recognized as the “Chairperson’s Distinction for 2019-20
2021
Udyogini has won the 7th eNGO Challenge Award in Environment, Agriculture, and Green Tech
2021
Udyogini was awarded World of Difference 100 Award
