Women’s self-help groups provide a space to save together, share knowledge and work towards financial independence. Shashwat Trust, Junnar supports these groups in Ambegaon and Junnar talukas, helping women build practical skills and take a greater role in decisions affecting their lives.

Groups choose their own leaders democratically. Trust, transparency and collective participation guide their work. Shashwat helps connect women with training, financial resources and opportunities to apply their skills through local livelihood activities.

Continuing activities include hirda processing, goat-rearing training and chilli-processing training. These activities build on locally available resources and women’s experience, while providing opportunities to learn production techniques and explore sources of income.

Over the years, Shashwat has also organised workshops in business and marketing, mushroom cultivation, herbal medicine manufacturing, varai processing, nachni and varai food products, ornamental fish rearing, aquarium making, poultry farming, flour mill operations and grocery shop management. These formed part of earlier training and enterprise initiatives; the associated businesses have since been discontinued.

When opportunities and funding are available, women participate in exhibitions and sales stalls. These experiences help them interact with customers, present their products and practise selling skills.

Alongside livelihood support, Shashwat encourages women’s participation in community events and discussions, creating opportunities for their voices and contributions to be recognised.