Support Women from Climate - Affected Communities to Train as Solar Technicians

Sayra grew up in a small village in Gujarat. She could study only till grade 12 as her parents, labourers in the local salt pans, could not afford higher education. Training under ReNew Foundation's Project Surya has changed Sayra's and her family's life - over a span of 4 months, she transformed from an unskilled village girl to a certified solar technician.

Today, she contributes ₹16,000 every month to her family’s income, working in a solar panel manufacturing unit. Her contribution has increased her family's income by 100%.

Project Surya: A skilling initiative for women from climate affected communities

India’s female labour force participation (FLFPR) is 41.7% as against a global average of 47% and much lower than India's 2047 Viksit Bharat target of 70%. More vulnerabilities exist in rural India:

• Only 10.8% of women in rural India have regular wage/salaried jobs (Economic Survey 2025-26)
• 65% of women employed in rural India, are employed in agriculture and allied sectors – severely impacted by climate challenges

Women like Sayra in Little Rann of Kutchh have very little options for livelihood. Working in the salt pans is challenging. Income is limited to the hotter months when salt production is feasible. They would face severe heat exposure to earn a meagre income. In the remaining part of the year, they would have to either migrate to other locations to work as contractual labourers, or lose their only source of income.

Project Surya is changing this! It is an initiative designed for the unskilled/ semi-skilled women from climate affected communities. The trainees undergo theory and hands-on learning culminating in a certification as a solar PV installation and maintenance technician. Project Surya holds the promise of a better future not just for these women, but for their families as well.

Key outcomes achievable through Project Surya

• % increase in women's income
• % increase in family's income
• % of women retaining the job 3 months post training

Till date, ReNew Foundation has skilled 800+ women skilled for employment in the green economy.

Our call for action

A contribution of Rs. 45000 can transform one woman's future. Till date 800+ women have benefitted from the program.

This fundraiser will support skilling of 100 more women from climate-affected communities across Gujarat (e.g. salt pan workers), Rajasthan (e.g. Sahariyas, Rebari, Ghosi, and Ahir) and Maharashtra (marginal and landless farmers).

What will the funds be used for?

1. Mobilization

• Identification of women from climate affected communities for training – anchor with Govt. agencies and local polytechnics/ ITIs
• Creation of cohort of 40 women for one batch

2. Training and certification

• 4 months of training – classroom and on-the-field
• Certification from appropriate govt. agencies

3. Placement and tracking

• Support for placement
• Tracking the trainees for 3 months