WINGS
Women’s Initiative for Nurturing Growth and Sustainability
Our Partners:
Building resilient urban livelihoods through entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and market opportunities
The WINGS project supports women and vulnerable households in urban communities to build sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship. By combining business development, financial literacy, production strengthening, and market linkages, the project helps participants grow small enterprises into more stable and profitable businesses that strengthen household resilience.
Recognizing that poverty is shaped by multiple, interconnected challenges, WINGS goes beyond skills training alone. Participants receive practical support to improve business management and build the confidence they need to make informed financial and business decisions.
How WINGS Creates Change
Entrepreneurship development
Participants strengthen existing businesses or establish new enterprises, building practical skills in business planning, budgeting, pricing, customer management, bookkeeping, and profit analysis
These skills help entrepreneurs move beyond day-to-day survival and develop enterprises that can grow over time
Financial inclusion
Financial literacy training equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to manage household and business finances more effectively
Participants learn how to maintain financial records, save regularly, reinvest in their enterprises, and make informed financial decisions that support long-term stability
Stronger businesses and market connections
The project supports entrepreneurs in production planning, strengthening product quality, and connecting with market opportunities
By combining technical support with market linkages, participants are better positioned to increase sales, improve operational efficiency, and expand their businesses sustainably
Project Highlights
Throughout implementation, WINGS has demonstrated that strengthening entrepreneurship alongside financial capability and market access can create lasting improvements in household livelihoods.
Key achievements include:
- Strengthened entrepreneurship through business development and financial literacy training
- Expanded market linkages to help businesses reach more customers and increase income
- Formation of a 6-organization consortium to strengthen collaboration and household development
- Knowledge sharing through participation in ITC’s All Partners Meet, where project experiences and lessons were shared with partners from across India
The project has also highlighted several important lessons:
- Entrepreneurship training is most effective when combined with ongoing mentoring and practical business support
- Strong market linkages are essential for helping small enterprises move beyond subsistence and achieve sustainable growth
- Financial literacy enables entrepreneurs to make better business decisions, strengthen savings practices, and reinvest in their enterprises
- Bringing together organizations working within the same communities creates stronger local systems that can deliver more integrated, sustainable support for vulnerable households long after the project concludes
Story of Change
Maya Rajbhar: From a Tea Cart to a Thriving Family Restaurant
For years, Maya Rajbhar worked tirelessly to support her family in Khalbari, Kolkata. Living with her husband and three children, she faced growing financial pressures after one of her sons became disabled following an accident, increasing both caregiving responsibilities and medical expenses.
To make ends meet, Maya operated a small roadside cart selling tea, biscuits, and other basic items. Despite working long hours, she earned only around INR 200–250 a day—barely enough to cover household expenses.
Through the WINGS project, Maya participated in the Entrepreneurship Development Program and financial literacy training, where she gained practical skills in business planning, bookkeeping, budgeting, and enterprise management. Equipped with new knowledge and greater confidence, she gradually expanded her business into a successful bhaater hotel serving traditional Bengali meals.
Today, Maya earns approximately INR 1,300 or more each day. She keeps business records, saves regularly, reinvests in her enterprise, and is better able to support her children’s education and healthcare. Beyond improving her family’s financial security, she has become a respected entrepreneur whose success inspires other women in her community.
“Previously, I worked hard every day just to manage basic household expenses. Today, my hotel provides a stable income, and I can plan for my children’s future with confidence.”
— Maya Rajbhar
