Women run collectively owned agro processing enterprises: An integrated model for the Eastern Gangetic Plains is funded by The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). They are a leader in supporting the production, synthesis and uptake of high-quality evidence on what works in social and economic development. Established in 2008, 3ie provide services and expertise to address the evidence needs of our partners in governments, NGOs, foundations, international development institutions and others working in low- and middle-income countries. We have team members that work remotely and have offices in New Delhi and London. We also have extensive regional expertise through our worldwide member network, senior and research fellows and other partners.
3ie’s Swashakt programme is a US$ 7.3 million initiative that focuses on addressing this evidence gap and unlocking benefits for women in farm and non-farm sectors. Launched in 2020, the programme supports the implementation and evaluation of nine projects— four pilot and five at-scale —that aim to establish and strengthen women’s empowerment collective enterprises (WECs) in nine states.
The programme is generating learning about transformative models to improve scale and returns for WECs and contribute to women’s empowerment. Four formative and process studies are assessing the appropriateness, acceptability and feasibility of the one-year pilot projects promoting and supporting WECs. Mixed methods impact evaluations are examining the impacts on returns, scale and sustainability of WECs supported by the five three-year projects.
The programme is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.
How women run collective enterprises are reviving makhana processing in Mithila