Empowering Women Through Coir Entrepreneurship

Oleevia Foundation, in collaboration with the Coir Board, commenced a three-day Coir Entrepreneurship Training Programme for women in Palakkad. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Ajitkumar Varma, CEO, Oleevia Foundation. Addressing the participants, he highlighted the importance of self-employment as a pathway to economic stability and emphasized how women-led enterprises can significantly contribute to local and regional economies. He also shared Oleevia Foundation’s vision and mission of inclusive development and community empowerment. The programme witnessed the presence of key dignitaries who underscored the importance of institutional support for grassroots entrepreneurship. Shri Anil, Lead Bank Manager, Palakkad, spoke on the role of financial institutions in enabling women entrepreneurs through access to credit and guidance. Shri Rasheed, Assistant District Industries Officer, Palakkad, highlighted government schemes and industrial support mechanisms available for coirbased enterprises and encouraged participants to leverage these opportunities.

As part of the training sessions, Gautam Ramakrishnan, Psychologist and Chief Project Manager, Oleevia Foundation, conducted an engaging session on the possibilities of small-scale businesses in Kerala. Drawing from his experience in community work and psychology, he emphasized the mental strength, resilience, and adaptability required to succeed as an entrepreneur, with special focus on mindset transformation, overcoming fear, and developing confidence. Complementing the business and mindset sessions, Sreeja, Social Worker and Project Coordinator, Oleevia Foundation, led an interactive session on essential life skills for entrepreneurs. The session addressed communication, decision-making, time management, and balancing personal and professional responsibilities.