Jharkhand is home to vibrant indigenous communities known for their unique skills in handicrafts, handlooms, bamboo work, and cultural capital. Despite their rich traditional expertise, women-led small businesses in the region face challenges, including limited market exposure, and a lack of entrepreneurial knowledge. These barriers prevent them from fully participating in the formal economy and realizing their economic potential.
To address these challenges, Contact Base, a social enterprise headquartered in Kolkata, and the U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 5.0 program. This initiative aims to empower indigenous women in Jharkhand and Nagaland through capacity building in business development and market access.
In Jharkhand, the program begins with a two-day bootcamp on December 18–19, 2024, at Loksevayatan, Nimdih Gandhi Ashram, Nimdih, in Saraikella-Kharsawan district. The year-long initiative will support 30 indigenous women artisans and entrepreneurs through trainings in business ideation, skill enhancement, financial literacy, and market readiness. Participants will gain access to government schemes, credit opportunities, and market linkages, facilitated by business development experts and local stakeholders. Sessions will include insights on business development basics, digital and financial inclusion, and business communication, alongside guidance on existing government opportunities provided by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), Nimdih Block. Participants will also showcase their products and share their business stories and ideas.
U.S. Consul General Kathy Giles-Diaz in her video message to AWE participants said, “So far, AWE has supported 500+ business owners by providing U.S.-style online education with guided facilitation from local women business leaders, and other partners. At least 50 percent of these women have successfully grown their ventures, at least 20 percent of them have reported double or more revenues, and another 20 percent formed their respective networks with like-minded entrepreneurs. AWE entrepreneurs have successfully raised more than 500,000 dollars in funding.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a global initiative launched by the U.S. Department of State to promote women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. Operating in over 100 countries, AWE equips women with the knowledge, tools, and networks required to establish and grow businesses, thereby bridging gender gaps in entrepreneurship, strengthening local economies, and uplifting communities worldwide.
