Digital Library

Under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Shradha Murarka, FLO Kolkata, in collaboration with the Calcutta Foundation, was delighted to inaugurate the FLO Digital Library at Apni Kutir on December 20, 2024. This partnership was designed to empower rural women by providing them with essential digital skills and enhancing their opportunities for financial independence.

Apni Kutir, Atabagan was established by the Calcutta Foundation, to create a safe space for women in rural Garia to learn a skill, earn an income, and build a community. The women in the village are cut off from opportunities that allow them to become financially independent. Through the Kutir, Calcutta Foundation has worked with over 1,000 women in 3 years to train them in different skills and kickstart their journeys to financial independence. Through the establishment of 15 kutirs across 75 villages, the foundation has created income-generating opportunities and provided comprehensive support to women on their journey toward financial independence.

To support the work of the Calcutta Foundation, FLO has contributed a digital Library through which Apni Kutir will train 100 women every year to become digitally empowered to access resources within the community and beyond. The library will offer a variety of classes focusing on both professional and vocational digital literacy. The curriculum includes fundamental digital skills, such as email communication, online research, basic office software, and advanced training.

A key component of the program is professional data entry training, which equips young women with precise typing, data management, and organizational skills. 40 girls will be trained in Professional Data Entry every year. By the end of the training, participants are expected to earn monthly incomes ranging between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000, providing them with the means to support themselves and their families. The smart TV provided by the grant will connect the Kutir with the world, allowing for partnerships and benefactors to interact with the women remotely.