SIDBI With “Buzz Women To Train 200 Rural Women” To Establish Business Enterprises In Arsikere Taluk, Hassan Dist, Karnataka

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), in association with Buzz Women, an NGO based out of Bengaluru has taken up a rural enterprise creation programme. The programme [Buzz Vyapar Programme] aims at training 200 rural women to establish business enterprises in Arsikere Taluk of Hassan Dist. of Karnataka.  Under the initiative SIDBI, in association with Buzz Women, would provide these rural women with vocational skills alongwith mentorship support. The target is to impart entrepreneurship development training focussed on they themselves ideating a business model and equip them with hands-on ability to access finance and get self-employed. The project will also offer guidance and support to the women to start their new businesses.  

This project has been inaugurated on June 12, 2023, in the presence of more than 200 women beneficiaries form Arisikere Taluk, SIDBI Officials, team Buzz Women and other officials from Government of Karnataka from Arasikere Taluk & Hassan District.  

Satyaki Rastogi, General Manager & Regional Head, SIDBI says “SIDBI through this programme is enabling exposure for rural women’s to business concepts. We intend to make positive impact in rural livelihood and transform their lives towards better social and financial empowerment.  Social change is the need of the hour and SIDBI is committed to take the lead to empower rural women to transform their lives. This intervention in association with Buzz Women will equip rural women beneficiaries with knowledge and skills to do business better. When women run businesses better, we will have more flourishing rural homes.”  We are looking forward to engage and associate with similar programmes in future to have a greater impact on the lives of rural women. 

The Chief Changemaker and co-founder of Buzz Women, Uthara Narayanan says, “Through the Buzz Vyapar programme we have seen inspiring stories of change. A woman took charge of her husband’s business and doubled their income from Rs. 30,000 a month to Rs 60,000. Another woman increased the income of her family’s hotel business. We also have women starting garment units, goat rearing, beauty parlours, organic farming and creating opportunities for them to earn. We have already trained 2270 women in entrepreneurship in Bangalore Rural District alone. This new engagement with 200 new women entrepreneurs will strengthen rural entrepreneurship and help improve living standards of rural families.     

Under the programme, the participating women will attend classroom training sessions and field work during this year-long project. The women will also gain exposure to banking linkages, market connections and support required to launch and enhance their businesses.  By creating a strong income stream through entrepreneurship, these women free themselves from financial distress and gain agency in their lives. This is a tremendous step for them to break away from poverty and gain decision making powers in their homes.  The programs are built on the foundation of the 5 Cs - Cash, Care, Climate, Community, and Confidence. Buzz Women wishes to aid in combating poverty not only through a change management process that deals with the economical aspect of poverty, but also the ecological, psychological, and sociological aspects. 

About SIDBI 

Since its formation in 1990, SIDBI has been impacting the lives of citizens across various strata of society through its integrated, innovative and inclusive approach. The initiative emphasis on to bring a radical shift in the outlook and approach of being a Swavalambi by spreading the culture of entrepreneurship and transforming youth from “Job seekers” to “Job creators”, thereby restricting the need for rural migration to urban areas and in the process promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities with thrust on bottom of pyramid, unserved/underserved pockets/segments and overall MSEs. The Swavalamban Resource Facility is carrying forward Poorest State Inclusive Growth (PSIG)’s strong legacy in three areas of work viz., Policy Advocacy, Access to Finance and Financial Literacy and Women Empowerment.   

Under Swavalamban Mission in SIDBI 2.0, Swavalamban Connect Kendra’s (SCKSs) are being implemented in districts pan India, for promoting enterprise creation.  SCK adopts digital approach to enterprise promotion.  Aimed at potential entrepreneurs, SCKs guide aspiring entrepreneurs to become job creators through awareness, mapping gaps, skill connect, pre-handholding support, create localised project profiles, credit connect, post-handholding support like market connect.  SCKs are also helping in strengthening their business plans, accessing skill trainings as well as credit requirements.  SCKs work closely with the state/ district / local administration, banks etc.