Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: The Faral Sakhi Initiative by MBM

Introduction

The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has embarked on an inspiring journey to empower women entrepreneurs through its innovative programme, the Faral Sakhi.This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog under the Award to Reward programme, focuses on enabling women engaged in the traditional production of festive snacks, known as Faral, to scale their businesses sustainably.

With its unique blend of training, support, and resources, the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative is paving the way for economic empowerment and societal transformation in Mira Bhayandar. This blog delves into the various aspects of this groundbreaking initiative, its achievements, and its potential to inspire a larger movement for women-led enterprises.

Women Entrepreneurship Platform: Building an Ecosystem for Women Entrepreneurs

At the heart of the Faral Sakhi initiative lies the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), established by NITI Aayog in 2018. Originally designed as an aggregator platform for women entrepreneurs, WEP transitioned to a public-private partnership model in 2022. Its primary goal is to create a comprehensive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs across India by addressing key challenges such as access to finance, market linkages, mentoring, and legal support.

Guiding Principles of WEP

WEP operates on three core principles:

1. Iccha Shakti: The motivation to begin and scale businesses.
2. Gyaan Shakti: The knowledge and tools to overcome barriers.
3. Karma Shakti: Taking actionable steps through mentorship and support.

These principles are foundational to fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship among women, and they are integral to the success of programmes like ‘Faral Sakhi.’

Objectives of the ‘Faral Sakhi’ Initiative

The Faral Sakhi initiative is a beacon of empowerment for women entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar. Its primary objectives include:

• Creating sustainable employment opportunities: By encouraging women to engage in the professional production and sale of festive snacks, the initiative helps create lasting livelihoods.
• Providing technical training: Through partnerships with organizations like the Centre for Education, Governance, and Public Policy (CEGP Foundation), women receive the skills needed to build and sustain their businesses.
• Promoting local economic growth: The programme envisions a thriving local economy driven by women-led enterprises.

A central kitchen established by MBMC serves as the hub for snack production, enabling women from self-help groups (SHGs) to prepare high-quality products in a professional setting.

Training and Support for Women Entrepreneurs

One of the standout features of the Faral Sakhi initiative is its focus on training and support. MBMC has partnered with the CEGP Foundation to provide technical training in business operations to 25 women participants.

Key Components of the Training Programme

• Business Operations: Training covers essential aspects such as inventory management, cost optimization, and customer service.
• Entrepreneurial Skills: Participants learn how to navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and scale their businesses sustainably.
• Local Economic Contribution: Women are encouraged to view their businesses as catalysts for broader community development.

This comprehensive training ensures that participants are not only equipped with the skills to succeed but are also empowered to drive change in their communities.

---

Success of The Faral Sakhi During Diwali

The success of the Faral Sakhi initiative was vividly demonstrated during the Diwali season. Over 3 tons of snacks were sold, showcasing the quality and appeal of the products prepared by the women entrepreneurs.

Key Factors Behind the Success

• Sales Support: MBMC provided spaces for the sale of snacks, ensuring visibility and accessibility for consumers.
• Promotional Efforts: Municipal advertisements helped highlight the initiative, attracting more customers and building brand recognition.
• Community Engagement: The involvement of SHGs ensured a diverse range of high-quality snacks, appealing to traditional tastes.

This success not only validated the efforts of the participants but also inspired more women to join the initiative, creating a ripple effect of empowerment.

Collaboration and Ecosystem Development

The collaboration between MBMC and WEP exemplifies the power of partnerships in fostering women entrepreneurship. By bringing together government bodies, private organizations, and civil society, the initiative creates a robust support system for women entrepreneurs.

The Role of the Award to Reward Programme

Launched in 2023, the Award to Reward programme is designed to recognize and support impactful initiatives for women entrepreneurs. Through this framework, WEP identifies and amplifies successful programmes like ‘Faral Sakhi,’ ensuring their scalability and sustainability.

This collaborative approach enhances the potential for women-led businesses to thrive both domestically and internationally.

Future Prospects for Women Entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar

The Faral Sakhi initiative represents more than just a programme for economic empowerment. It symbolizes a larger movement toward societal transformation.

Long-Term Impact

1. Building Sustainable Industries: By equipping women with the skills and resources to scale their businesses, the initiative lays the foundation for sustainable industries.
2. Encouraging Social Change: Women entrepreneurs become role models, inspiring others to break barriers and pursue their dreams.
3. Strengthening the Local Economy: Women-led enterprises contribute to a vibrant and resilient local economy, benefiting the entire community.

The partnership between MBMC and WEP ensures that these efforts are not only impactful but also enduring.

Conclusion

The Faral Sakhi initiative is a shining example of how local governments, in collaboration with platforms like WEP, can empower women entrepreneurs to create meaningful change. From providing technical training to fostering a supportive ecosystem, the programme addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship.

As the initiative continues to grow, it holds the potential to inspire similar efforts across India, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and transformation. Through programmes like the Faral Sakhi the dream of a thriving ecosystem of women-led enterprises is becoming a reality, one entrepreneur at a time.