FLO Kolkata, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Mansi Agarwal, inaugurated the “Apni Kutir Skilling Centre” at Chetla, Kolkata, as a flagship initiative aligned with Textile/Handloom/Handicraft, Startup Cell/MSME, Digital Literacy, and Women Director Program. It was held in collaboration with Calcutta Foundation – Implementation Partner (Apni Kutir Program), and Emami Foundation – CSR & Livelihood Development Partner.
The centre launched a multi-skill, market-aligned training ecosystem, offering courses to women at the grassroots level in Mehendi, Sewing, Beautician, Zari Zardozi, Kantha, and Computer training—ensuring direct pathways to income generation and entrepreneurship. A key highlight was the integration of traditional crafts with modern skills, alongside mobility initiatives like Scooty training, expanding both earning potential and independence.
Live demonstrations reinforced the focus on practical, employable skills, while cultural activities created strong community engagement and inspiration. The event was attended by FLO Directors and the Central Team, who reinforced FLO’s commitment to grassroots empowerment and sustainable livelihood creation.
Student testimonials highlighted confidence, skill development, and readiness for livelihood generation, positioning the centre as a scalable model for grassroots women empowerment and economic participation.
Key Takeaways
- Established a market-linked skilling ecosystem directly driving income generation and financial independence.
- Enabled women to transition from skill acquisition to sustainable livelihood and micro-entrepreneurship.
- Strengthened traditional crafts by integrating heritage skills with modern market demand and scalability.
- Created pathways for women-led enterprises and home-based business models.
- Expanded earning potential through multi-skill training across traditional and service-based sectors.
- Strengthened digital readiness through computer-based training for participation in the modern economy.
- Enabled greater independence through mobility-focused initiatives like Scooty bike training.
- Built strong community engagement, peer learning, and support ecosystems.
- Demonstrated measurable impact through increased confidence, skill application, and livelihood readiness.
- Reinforced a scalable model for grassroots economic empowerment and women-led development.
Impact & Outcome
The inauguration directly impacted 135 women beneficiaries from the Chetla community, establishing a strong grassroots footprint for skill development and livelihood generation. The initiative strengthened Textile/Handloom/Handicraft and Startup Cell/MSME ecosystems by enabling women to access market-relevant skills and income opportunities. It also advanced Digital Literacy through computer-based training, preparing participants for participation in the digital economy.
By creating pathways for self-employment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence, the centre positioned women as active contributors to local economic growth. Overall, the initiative established a scalable, community-driven model for women empowerment, reinforcing FLO Kolkata’s commitment to sustainable, impact-led development.