Who We Are
A movement for women's economic empowerment rooted in trust, dedication, and transformation
Udyogini is a registered non-profit organization working for women's economic empowerment
We are all about Women Empowerment. We work with the 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 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."
The Numbers That Matter
Real transformations measured in lives changed, businesses built, and futures secured
0
Women Entrepreneurs
Creating sustainable businesses
0
Youth in Skilling
Equipped with market-ready skills
0
Lives Touched
Families transformed through empowerment
30–35%
Annual Income Growth
Average increase among the women we work with
A Collective Beginning
Born under the World Bank's Women's Micro Enterprise Management Outreach Programme, Udyogini became an independent Indian organisation in 1992, registered under the Societies Registration Act under the leadership of Ela Bhatt. It was never the effort of a single founder, but a collective institutional commitment to women's economic futures.
The Founding Collective
Ela Bhatt
Founder, SEWA (led registration)
Dr. Vanita Viswanath
Development practitioner
Bim Bissell
Development leader
Kiran Bhatia
Development leader
Rita Sengupta
Development leader
Dr. Akhouri
Development leader
The Journey Over Time
Three decades of evolving from a training pioneer to an end-to-end livelihoods institution.
1M+
women reached
Building the Foundation
Training and capacity building at scale. We translated formal business concepts into simple, visual, participatory tools for semi-literate women.
Rethinking Empowerment
As a training resource agency for NGOs and CBOs, we brought structured business learning to women in fields, forests, and home-based enterprises. Delivered through field teams, the knowledge multiplied.
Field Implementation
We moved to direct implementation on the ground, strengthening existing livelihoods rather than introducing entirely new ones.
224,369
lives touched
Expanding Reach, Deepening Impact
Working across multiple states with rural and tribal women across farm and non-farm value chains: deepening value chains, expanding digital reach, and strengthening local economic ecosystems.
End-to-End Value Chains
Rather than creating parallel systems, we work within existing markets, improving quality, enabling value addition, and strengthening women's ability to negotiate better prices.
The Basket Livelihood Approach
Integrating multiple income streams for year-round stability.
Agriculture
Livestock
Non-Timber Forest Produce
Ecosystem Structures
Local institutions that strengthen market linkages.
BDSPs: Business Development Service Providers
VLRACs: Village Level Retail & Aggregation Centres
The Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Model
A structured framework addressing gaps in skills, finance, market access, and social constraints, scaled through partnerships with 30+ organisations.
Mobilisation
Training
Enterprise Development
Institution Building
Expansion
Adapting to Changing Contexts
Digital-First Delivery
During COVID-19 we digitised training and advisory systems and strengthened local leadership for last-mile delivery.
Climate Resilience
We have integrated climate-resilient practices into our livelihood interventions to protect incomes against a changing environment.
We continue to deepen market integration and enable women to exercise greater agency, building resilient rural economies where women are not just participants, but active decision-makers shaping their own futures.
Women Claiming Their Space
We envision a world where women claim their space with freedom, respect, and the power to make their own choices.
Driving Transformation
Enabling women to drive socio-economic transformation by creating sustainable livelihoods through building women's capacity, fostering viable enterprises, unlocking market opportunities, and nurturing a supportive ecosystem.
Our Core Approach
Listen
We understand the needs, aspirations, and capabilities of the communities we work with
Strengthen
We build capacity and foster local resources to create sustainable solutions
Empower
We provide access to skills, markets, and resources for lasting economic independence
Honors & Accolades
Recognition from leading organizations and institutions worldwide for our commitment to women's economic empowerment
World of Difference 100 Award
Global recognition for impact and innovation in women's empowerment
eNGO Challenge Award
7th eNGO Challenge Award in Environment, Agriculture, and Green Tech
Chairperson's Distinction
Recognized with the Chairperson's Distinction for 2019-20
Women Astitva Samman Award
The 3rd Women Astitva Samman - recognition for promoting women empowerment
CNBC-TV18 Award
Awarded by CNBC-TV18 in collaboration with Union Bank of India
Ford Global Fellowship
CEO selected for the prestigious Ford Global Fellowship Program in the USA
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) Recognition
Acknowledged by government bodies for livelihood creation
Amodini Award
Recognition for excellence in women empowerment initiatives
Yale University Selection
Selected as one of 5 Indian organizations for international recognition
Aga Khan Foundation India Innovation Fund
A competitive award recognizing innovative approaches to development
Join Our Mission
These accolades inspire us to continue our work. But our greatest recognition comes from the transformed lives of women and youth we work with every day.