Mukti’s SWAS 2.0 Project Launches Women-Led Cooperative Outlets

Mukti’s SWAS 2.0 Project (Swavalamban Accelerator in Sundarban), supported by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), is transforming the lives of rural women by making them self-reliant through skill-based entrepreneurship. Under this initiative, women are trained in a diverse range of income-generating trades including shola set making, food processing, cattle fodder preparation, imitation jewellery making, soft toy making, and more. After receiving training, the women entrepreneurs unite to form cooperatives, enabling collective production, marketing, and financial empowerment.

A shining example of this success is the cooperative Ashar Alo Mukti Samabay Samiti, which marked a significant milestone on 5th November 2025 with the inauguration of its first retail outlet. The outlet offers a variety of locally produced goods crafted by cooperative members, giving the women their own market platform and ensuring regular income.

Another milestone was achieved with the inauguration of Shilpi Atma Sahika Mukti Samabay Samiti on 8th October 2025 at Joynagar. This cooperative also provides women entrepreneurs with training-based skills and a market outlet to showcase and sell their handmade products, fostering financial independence and confidence.

The launch of these outlets was met with enthusiasm from beneficiaries, community members, and dignitaries. The events highlighted that these cooperatives are more than shops—they are symbols of self-reliance, courage, and economic empowerment for the women of the Sundarbans. Members expressed their pride in these achievements and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding production, scaling their businesses, and uplifting other women in their communities.

The openings reflect the core vision of SWAS 2.0 — transforming women from learners to skilled entrepreneurs, and from producers to market leaders. As the project progresses, more women-led cooperatives in the Sundarbans are poised to follow this path toward empowerment and independence.