How women entrepreneurs in India ensure a brighter future
With support from SDG 7 Results, Pollinate Group teaches women in vulnerable neighbourhoods in India to become entrepreneurs. By selling solar-powered lamps, the women earn their own income. This gives them a chance to fight poverty in their communities.
Cleaner light and women's empowerment
Many households in vulnerable neighbourhoods use paraffin for lights, but solar-powered lamps are cheaper, more sustainable, safer and provide better light. That is why Pollinate Group trains women to sell such lamps and invest in their first supply. Pollinate Group calls the sellers Suryamukhis, or sunflowers. "Suryamukhi is a feminine word. Surya is Sanskrit for sun. That represents the women," Sujatha Ramani, CEO of Pollinate Group, explains. "This name is perfect for the emancipation we want to achieve."
"The women invest their income from this work in their children's education. It also improves their position and status in their families and the community. Solar lights improve the general quality of life as, for example, children have better light to do their homework."
This project received an SDG 7 Results subsidy in 2021. "The subsidy helped us reach the market and scale up our activities, making the communities less dependent on fossil fuels."
What happened next?
Since 2021, Pollinate Group has digitised its sales network and launched a Learning Management System (LMS) and Business Mobile App for remote learning and business management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suryamukhis received training to use these apps. This allowed them to manage their stock, review their income and attend online courses on:
- Digital transactions;
- Financial literacy; and
- Online stock management.
Selling solar-powered lamps has contributed to these women entrepreneurs' financial independence, with over 200 opening a bank account for their savings.
Amreen's success
Amreen joined Pollinate as an entrepreneur in 2013 without a previous educational background. 8 years later, she is the lead community engagement officer for the Suryamukhi network.
"Skill development works wonders for women in our region, making us bold and assertive."
Now, she teaches the Suryamukhi to use a mobile app, manage their income, and replenish the solar lamp stock on time. Amreen is still the sales record holder, selling 42 solar lamps in 1 day.
A bright future
Going forward, Pollinate Group aims to expand its reach in India. It focuses on partnerships with local community-based organisations (CBOs) for energy access and faster growth. It has already expanded to over 28 cities in India, mainly in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Telangana.
By working with CBOs, Pollinate Group can identify and work with many more women, fulfil the demand for solar lamps and expand the sales and Suryamukhi networks. With this expansion, the Suryamukhi can also use their network to sell other household wellness products, such as mosquito repellents, sanitary napkins and water filters.
Sustainable impact takes time, but the Surymukhi and Pollinate Group show that dedication and hard work pay off.
SDG 7 Results
SDG 7 Results contributes to access to sustainable energy for households in low and middle-income countries. This programme uses results-based financing. This means that SDG 7 Results only provides subsidies once projects have achieved the agreed results. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency funds this project on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read more inspiring energy transition business cases or find out more about what we do to accelerate energy access and the transition to green energy.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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