Friends of Women's World Banking

Initiated in 2007, FWWB's Agriculture Finance Programme offers loan support to Farmer Producer Collectives (FPCs) comprising small and marginal farmers in different Indian states. The programme assists community-based organisations in creating additional livelihoods and income sources, thereby enhancing household economic conditions. FPCs are provided with essential working capital and capacity-building support to foster sustainability and establish connections with formal financial institutions in the future.

The Water and Sanitation programme emphasizes the importance of financial resources in enabling impoverished households to invest in water and sanitation facilities. It challenges misconceptions about their reluctance to adopt modern amenities and aims to raise awareness among donors and lenders about the positive impact of sanitation on living standards and productivity, particularly for women and children. The programme offers subsidized financial assistance to Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) for constructing sanitation facilities. Partner organisations with a strong track record and technical expertise are preferred, while those lacking experience are guided to collaborate with experts. Grants and loans are provided to generate awareness, meet demand, and support sanitation initiatives.

FWWB launched the Solar Energy Programme to offer affordable and sustainable lighting solutions in rural areas with limited electricity access. Starting as a pilot project in Manipur in 2009, the programme provides loan support to microfinance institutions and raises awareness about available solar products, service providers, costs, and maintenance. With advancing and cost-effective solar technology, more rural households are embracing solar lamps and lighting systems to harness abundant sunlight.

Recognizing the multifaceted obstacles faced by women in achieving economic empowerment, FWWB's Financial Education and Women Entrepreneurship Programme offers financial education and business management skills to enhance their livelihood activities. Initiated in 2011, the programme aims to foster greater financial inclusion and economic independence for women. By creating a nurturing ecosystem, FWWB seeks to enable women to become equal contributors in both households and the economy. The programme's primary objective is to establish a replicable and innovative model for sustainable enterprises that generate consistent income benefiting the entire household.