Sustainable livelihood initiatives supporting widowed, elderly, and marginalized women through the production of agarbattis, dhoop, and other items made from cow dung, tailoring, mehendi, and beautician training programs.
In partnership with EDII and Accenture, a specialized unit has been established that has provided stable livelihood opportunities for women focused on creating value-added products from cow dung.
The unit produces agarbattis, dhoop sticks, and various organic products for 10–15 women, many of whom are widowed, elderly, or from low-income households. By utilizing cow dung as a primary raw material, the initiative creates eco-friendly products while providing an important source of financial security through accessible home-based employment.
Recognizing the social and economic impact of this initiative, Hope Ever Foundation Trust began supporting the program in 2012, helping ensure continuity, operational stability, and wider outreach for women beneficiaries.
The agarbatti-packing activity requires minimal technical skills, making it particularly suitable for women with limited formal education or mobility constraints, while still guaranteeing regular income opportunities.
Alongside the agarbatti initiative, Hope Ever Foundation Trust and BIRDS expanded livelihood opportunities by introducing training programs in tailoring, mehendi application, and beautician services.
These programs enabled women to pursue flexible home-based work, start micro-enterprises, and access emerging market opportunities in semi-urban and rural areas.
Beautician training programs especially created aspirational opportunities for younger women seeking independent careers in the growing personal care sector.
Together, these interventions created a diversified livelihood ecosystem balancing stable income generation with long-term opportunities for economic independence, entrepreneurship, and social empowerment.
