Empower Her: Micro-Incubation for Rural Women Changemakers

The Problem

Impactful change-makers are created with small, timely inputs. The emerging ecosystem for the incubation of startups recognizes this need. However, this support has yet to reach resource-poor communities, where gender and rural-urban gaps are pronounced. Ground-up, grassroots interventions focusing on women are essential to bridging these gaps.

Our Solution

We find and nurture changemakers, especially rural women, through our Changemaker, Rural Women Edupreneurs, and Entrepreneurs Fellowships. We launched the Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHE) program in 2022 and have completed two batches. These opportunities help women explore, define, test, and develop action plans for local entrepreneurial ideas. Additionally, we offer networking and skill development support through a team of dedicated anchors.

Impact

13 Years of Impact: We have provided 211 Fellowship opportunities across 13 states in India.

Successful Entrepreneurs: Inspired and nurtured 46 changemakers who are now successful micro-service entrepreneurs, addressing issues such as education quality, basic healthcare, skill development, and innovation.

Strong Anchor Network: 16 Anchors working in 8 states—Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, and Maharashtra.

Skill Building: Through 2 micro-incubation hubs, we offer numerous skill-building opportunities.

Community Reach: Our fellowships have improved the well-being of over 15,000 people across various states.

Current Fellowship Programs (2023-2024)

Rural Women Edupreneurs (RWEs): Three active batches in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (7 fellows); Satara, Maharashtra (5 fellows); and Palamu, Jharkhand (5 fellows).

Upcoming Fellowships: 5 fellows identified in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, with the fellowship starting in August. Completed Orientation Workshop with 30 participants in Uttarakhand, with the fellowship starting in August after selection.

Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs): Ongoing training for the third batch with 20 women to offer doorstep basic diagnostics and teleconsultation in collaboration with StepOne.

Way Forward

Expansion: We aim to set up two more micro-incubation hubs.

Growth: Operating from four hubs, we plan to work with 100 CHEs and 60 RWEs.

Development: We continue to build on our work to develop the ecosystem that nurtures grassroots changemakers.

Our Ask

We spend approximately Rs 1-1.2 lakh per fellowship, and all contributions are welcome.

Our Vision

Plustrust aspires to empower women, helping them manifest their potential and create transformative changes in education, health, awareness, and livelihoods. Join us in our mission to empower women to connect with their inner voice, develop their potential, and turn their passion into action.