Mumbai, March 12, 2024: Franklin Templeton in partnership with GAURAV - Pride Business Network Foundation (PBNF) has launched ‘Saksham’ project -- a social entrepreneurship and skill development initiative for the transgender community in Mumbai.
The project, launched on Monday, stands as one of India’s pioneering projects solely dedicated to skill-building for the Transgender Community. It will be run and managed by the community directly, with the objective of fostering equitable livelihood opportunities.
The project has four pivotal dimensions, starting with proficiency in skill building – focusing on beauty and sewing; expertise in Information Technology; specialised training in jewellery making; and exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, while providing holistic emotional and health support and gaining access to a dedicated platform to showcase individual capabilities.
The project aims at fostering equitable livelihood opportunities for the transgender community. This is one of the many programmes run by GAURAV to broaden the workforce through skilling and opportunity creation. The training programme is designed to develop income-generating activities for micro and small businesses and innovative projects. The first phase consists of competency skill building, entrepreneurship, and business development opportunities.
Selected candidates progressing to the subsequent phase will benefit from personalized business development support and gain access to a platform for sharing their innovative ideas.
Avinash Satwalekar, President, Franklin Templeton - India said, “We are delighted to announce the new partnership with GAURAV, which brings to focus socio-economic development for the transgender community in Mumbai. This joint effort seeks to leverage collective intelligence, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable world. The primary goal of this project is to champion and implement an innovative concept, that will encourage 150 transgender individuals to get formally engaged through employability and social entrepreneurship. This represents a modest yet significant stride towards an inclusive society.”
“It all starts with an idea. We had this dream for years, we finally made it a reality.” said Zainab Patel, Board Member GAURAV and Executive Director of Pride Business Network Foundation.
Patel added, “Through this unique intervention, our trainees will contribute meaningfully to the economy, and better tackle social challenges, thereby improving people’s life chances, all while providing training and employment opportunities. This is a great step led by Franklin Templeton to help us grow and contribute to India’s growth trajectory.”
Headquartered in Mumbai with offices in 40 cities across India, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund is one of the largest foreign fund houses in the country that caters to diverse investor requirements with a wide range of investment styles to choose from.
GAURAV is a non-profitable Community Based Organisation (CBO) working for health and human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) persons in India since 2010.
Pride Business Network Foundation is an innovative and groundbreaking initiative that aims to empower the transgender-hijra community and promote inclusivity.
