 |
| Production Unit for Income Generation of Women |
Ambuja Foundation and Aramco Extend Women Empowerment Initiative to 245 Women in Dadri
Mumbai, August 21, 2026: Ambuja Foundation and Aramco have extended their “Empowering Women” initiative for another year in Dadri, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, building on the progress made through the programme in 2025.The initiative was announced in a press release dated August 18,2026.
The 2026 phase will focus on strengthening livelihood opportunities for women through stitching, tailoring, garment making and block printing. According to the press release of Ambuja Foundation, the programme will mobilise 245 women for basic training in 2026. Of these, 100 women will receive advanced training and 45 will receive training in block printing.
The initiative is being implemented through a Common Facility Centre (CFC) model, with a focus on building women's technical skills, supporting entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
200 Women Trained Through the 2025 Initiative
The partnership builds on the progress made during the 2025 phase of the programme.
According to Ambuja Foundation, 200 women received basic training in 2025, of whom 100 also received advanced training to further strengthen their technical skills.
The programme has also helped some participants move from training towards entrepreneurship. Of the 200 women trained in 2025, 45 have started entrepreneurial activities and are earning income through tailoring at the production unit, according to the organisation.
The initiative aims to contribute to improved livelihood opportunities, greater financial independence and better economic prospects for women and their families.
245 Women to Receive Basic Training in 2026
The 2026 programme will mobilise 245 women from nearby villages for basic training.
The training will focus on practical skills related to stitching, tailoring and garment production. Among the 245 women, 100 will receive advanced training, enabling them to further develop their technical capabilities.
Another 45 women will be trained in block printing, providing an opportunity to diversify their skills and explore additional livelihood avenues.
Ambuja Foundation confirms that these figures are categories within the 245 women being mobilised, rather than separate beneficiary groups.
Common Facility Centre to Strengthen Women's Livelihoods
A key component of the initiative is the Common Facility Centre established during the 2025 phase.
The CFC provides a platform for training and garment production and is expected to play a larger role during the 2026 phase.
The partnership plans to strengthen the facility with:
- Industrial sewing machines
- Block design facilities
- Solar energy solutions
- Safety measures aligned with standard industrial practices
These improvements are intended to support more efficient production and provide women with a better environment to develop their technical and enterprise-related skills.
Focus on Women's Entrepreneurship and Collective Enterprise
Beyond training, the initiative aims to connect women's skills with income-generating opportunities.
The Foundation will support trained women in establishing an Off-Farm Producer Organization (OFPO). The proposed organisation will include support for registration under the Companies Act and is intended to enable participating women to become shareholders and contribute to the management and growth of the enterprise.
The initiative also aims to strengthen the governance and institutional capacity of the producer group managing the CFC.
Building Market Opportunities for Women's Products
The project is aligned with the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme and will focus on improving market opportunities for products produced through the initiative.
The programme plans to strengthen both B2B and B2C market opportunities and improve product packaging, branding and promotion.
Women and the producer organisation will also be supported in exploring opportunities through:
- E-commerce marketplaces
- Exhibitions and fairs
- Product promotion platforms
- Improved packaging and branding
- Industry-led product development and quality guidance
The initiative also plans to support the establishment of a raw material bank to strengthen production and improve the functioning of the Common Facility Centre.
Aramco Highlights Sustainable Development
Abdulrahman Althukair, Managing Director of Aramco India, said the initiative is part of Aramco's Global Citizenship Program, which aims to support rural communities and empower future generations through sustainable development, education and energy access.
According to the press release, the next phase builds on the establishment of a Common Facility Centre with Ambuja Foundation in Jarcha village in 2025.
The 2026 initiative will expand the focus on tailoring and block printing, while strengthening the CFC with facilities including solar energy solutions to support sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Ambuja Foundation Emphasises the Importance of Skill Development
Chandrakant Kumbhani, CEO of Ambuja Foundation, highlighted the importance of partnerships and community engagement in addressing rural development challenges.
The Foundation said that collaboration with like minded partners can help expand the impact of development initiatives and address the growing demand for skilled workers.
Through its partnership with Aramco, Ambuja Foundation aims to provide rural women with sector-specific skills and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
From Skills to Sustainable Livelihoods
The extended initiative represents an effort to move beyond skill training by connecting women with production, entrepreneurship and markets.
With 245 women being mobilised for basic training in 2026, along with advanced training and specialised block printing skills, the programme aims to create a stronger pathway from training to income generation.
The proposed OFPO, improved Common Facility Centre, market linkages, branding and e-commerce opportunities are intended to help build a more sustainable livelihood ecosystem around women's skills and production.
For rural women, such an approach can potentially provide not only technical skills but also greater opportunities to participate in enterprise and income generating activities.
About Ambuja Foundation
Ambuja Foundation is an independent, pan-India development organisation working towards building prosperous rural communities.
According to the organisation, its areas of work include water, agriculture, skills, women, health and education, with livelihoods serving as an important pathway towards rural development.
The Foundation works with communities, corporates, governments and other partners to address development challenges and promote sustainable rural development.
Source and Editorial Note
This report has been prepared by The Rural Pulse based on the press release shared by Ambuja Foundation and subsequent clarification provided by its communications representative regarding the beneficiary figures and photograph credit.
The 2026 figure of 245 women refers to the total number being mobilised for basic training, of whom 100 are planned for advanced training and 45 for block-printing training, as clarified by Ambuja Foundation.
Photo Credit: Ambuja Foundation
Also Read :