Vrutti Livelihood Impact Partners

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Vrutti Livelihood Impact Partners

Enhancing people’s well being through knowledge, innovation and transformative actions

29/05/2026

India is empowering MSMEs to produce.
But here’s the real question-who is buying from them?

Despite being central to India’s growth story, most MSMEs - especially women-led enterprises are still missing from corporate supply chains.

At a time when companies are making bold ESG and sustainability commitments, the gap is clear: Inclusion isn’t just about intent. It’s about action.

Because real change doesn’t happen in policies or reports, it happens every time a purchase order is placed.

✍️ Authored by Arun Sivaramakrishnan, Head – Action Research & Implementation, Vrutti, and Arya Raj, Program Manager, Vrutti

🔗 Read the full article: https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/blog/atmanirbhar-bharat-needs-more-than-policy-it-needs-purchase-orders/131214135

25/05/2026

Capacity-building programs for women-owned nano enterprises can drive sustainable growth and economic empowerment for households and communities.

Nalini, an entrepreneur from Maralawadi, has run ‘Veerabhadra Swamy Store’ for nine years. She faced challenges in timely procurement, stock management, and bulk purchasing to improve margins. To strengthen her business, she joined the ‘Initiatives to Strengthen the Capacity of Nano Enterprises’ workshop under the SAFAL , an initiative by Hindustan Unilever Limited, implemented by Vrutti.

Through the training, she learned goal setting, financial planning, product management, and sales techniques. She realized the importance of diversification and, with her husband, now runs three businesses to ensure stable income.

She also aligned shop timings with customer demand. Earlier, she operated from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, serving 30 customers daily. Now, she runs from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM, serving 50 customers, increasing her daily income by ₹2,000.

Additionally, she received ₹1,00,000 in credit support from Swathi Jyothi Cooperative on 14 May 2026 for business expansion.

By understanding customer needs and improving service quality, Nalini has increased sales and profitability. She now seeks advanced training in communication, financial management, and access to loans and social protection schemes to further grow her business.

Nano entrepreneurs play a key role in strengthening households and communities. Nalini is one of many supported under SAFAL, improving opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

22/05/2026

With strategic business knowledge and financial literacy, nano entrepreneurs can equip themselves with the tools needed to support and stabilize their businesses.

Through the Retail Strengthening project under SAFAL, an initiative by Hindustan Unilever Limited, implemented by Vrutti, our participant Chandrika accessed two training modules on capacity building for nano enterprises and pathways to credit readiness for her beauty parlour business. The training is designed to strengthen the capacity of women-led nano enterprises in building sustainable and competitive businesses.

To improve customer satisfaction and experience, she learned effective communication techniques, customer feedback collection, and retention strategies. On the monetary side, she learned about building financial growth through daily income and expense records, separating business and personal finances, and building disciplined saving habits.

By adopting expert knowledge, frameworks, and tools from the SAFAL program, she has created a well-defined vision for her enterprise. In the future, she plans to invest in advanced equipment and upgrade her skills to expand her service packages for a wider clientele.

19/05/2026

From Tribal Farms to a Global Stage

Vrutti’s work was featured at the prestigious Asian Conference on the Social Sciences 2026, organised by the International Academic Forum (IAFOR) in partnership with the Osaka School of International Public Policy. The conference brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and development professionals from 69 countries and territories.

Priyanshi from Vrutti presented “The Cashew Turnaround: Community-Led Value Addition and Livelihood Outcomes in Tribal Maharashtra,” showcasing how community-led value addition is transforming livelihoods in tribal Maharashtra.

Selected from over 620 submissions across 69 countries, this work highlights the power of inclusive value chains and grassroots innovation.

Taking local impact to global conversations—where ideas meet action and partnerships shape the future.

15/05/2026

🚨 Blog Alert

“Reflections should be reflective, but actions should be prospective.”

Our recent Strategic Reflection Workshop marked more than a pause—it signalled a shift.

The story of entrepreneurship is changing. Entrepreneurs are no longer asking, “How do I survive?”—they are asking, “How do I grow?” Through structured approaches like step-by-step growth pathways and stronger market support, entrepreneurs are learning to compete and grow independently. This shift is reshaping how we work, with a sharper focus on quality, market access, and building confidence.

Because real change is not just about income—it’s about confidence, independence, and the ability to make decisions.

Author: Amuliya Skaria
Project Associate – MSME Portfolio

Read the full blog: https://vruttiimpactcatalysts.org/vrutti-msme-team-reflections.html

11/05/2026

Rewriting the Blue Economy: Koli Women Leading Change

Koli women in Mumbai are transforming their traditional fishing work into a structured, women-led enterprise through the Daryavardi Producer Company Limited (DPCL), Mumbai’s first women-led fish vendor FPO. They are now directors, shareholders, and decision-makers—shifting from informal trade to organised business leadership.

With support from Vrutti, they are improving packaging, branding, and digital sales, helping increase income and strengthen livelihoods.

Today, Koli women are not just selling fish—they are running a growing enterprise with stronger market access and identity.

Read full article:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/koli-women-chart-new-waters-set-up-seafood-company/amp_articleshow/130982896.cms

01/05/2026

Happy International Workers Day!

Inclusive growth is built through consistent, on-ground action.

By strengthening access to opportunities and markets, we drive measurable livelihood outcomes.

Collective action builds resilient communities and shared prosperity.

24/04/2026

National Panchayati Raj Day
Empowering Rural India, Strengthening Local Leadership

Panchayats play a critical role in enabling livelihoods, strengthening community institutions, and driving grassroots transformation.
At Vrutti, we work alongside local systems to:

Build resilient farmer and community institutions
Strengthen last-mile service delivery
Enable sustainable livelihoods and rural entrepreneurship

When local institutions are strong, communities thrive.
Celebrating the spirit of self-governance and collective progress.

16/04/2026

Impact procurement is gaining attention globally, but inclusion in supply chains is still not keeping pace.

"There is a growing opportunity to align impact procurement with practice by strengthening supplier readiness and simplifying compliance pathways"

In ET Edge Insights, the article authored by Arun Sivaramakrishnan, Head, Action Research and Implementation, Vrutti, and Arya Raj, Program Manager, Vrutti, highlights that social enterprises—including Artisans, and nano-entrepreneurs—continue to face barriers in accessing formal corporate supply chains.

While interest in impact-driven sourcing is increasing, procurement systems remain largely focused on cost, scale, and compliance readiness, creating challenges for smaller producers.

This also presents a clear opportunity to better align impact procurement goals with practice by strengthening supplier readiness and simplifying compliance pathways.

Real impact procurement will be realized when sourcing decisions consistently reflect social and livelihood value, not just operational efficiency.

Read the full article: https://etedge-insights.com/sdgs-and-esg/despite-esg-growth-social-enterprises-struggle-for-supply-chain-access/

15/04/2026

When inclusion meets the right support, entrepreneurship becomes a pathway for aspirations to thrive.

Akshaya, a transgender entrepreneur from Thiruvallur, always dreamt of owning a beauty parlour of her own. She initially worked as a freelancer, with limited formal training. With the support of the Vaagai project, supported by Ford Business Solutions India and implemented by Vrutti, she strengthened her skills by completing the Pro Makeup Artistry course from Naturals Beauty Academy and undergoing Beautypreneur training, becoming a certified beautician.

This journey helped her build both technical expertise and business acumen, enabling her to move closer to establishing her own venture.

With consistent capacity building, mentoring, and financial support through the Vaagai Project, Akshaya was able to move forward with confidence. Today, Akshaya Bridal Studio, inaugurated on March 3rd by IAS officer Mr. Prathap, District Collector of Tiruvallur, stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and possibility.

The presence of a senior government official at the inauguration not only marked a personal milestone for Akshaya but also sent a strong message of recognition and encouragement to the wider transgender community. Such moments contribute to shifting societal perceptions, building trust, and inspiring many more individuals to step forward, seeing a future where their aspirations are valid and achievable. The CBO, Vedivelli Thirunangaigal Nalavazhu Sangam, has been instrumental in Akshaya’s journey.

Akshaya’s journey is a testament to how the right ecosystem of support can unlock confidence, create opportunities, and drive lasting change.

If you are in or around Thiruvallur, we invite you to visit Akshaya Bridal Studio and support a growing local enterprise built on determination and courage.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bqWwTT4j6HqJ3wTm7?g_st=am

Address

No. 25, 2nd Floor, Raghavendra Nilaya, AECS Layout, Ashwathnagar, Bangalore/(Land Mark/Behind Paratha Plaza, Raghavendra Nilaya)
Bangalore
560094

Website

https://vruttiimpactcatalysts.org/

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