SEWA Cooperative Federation

The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Cooperative Federation was established in 1992 as an extension of the informal women workers movement in Ahmedabad’s textile mills. The Federation aims to further empower informal women workers by promoting full employment and self-reliance through the formation of collectives and cooperatives. These co-ops give women the power to own their trades, secure their income, and build a better future through ongoing business development. Aligned with our mission, we function as a Women’s Enterprise Support System (WESS) to support Women’s Collective Enterprises (WCE). Here's how we do it: 1. Capacity Building: Training in governance, financial management, and essential skills. 2. Business Development: Offering marketing services, financial support, and incubation. 3. Policy Action: Leading the charge with research, advocacy, and communications. These pillars are delivered by a team of experienced professionals, providing tailored services for informal women workers. Acting as a "bridge institution" we address (and solve) both the demand and supply sides of the cooperative ecosystem, offering support to WCEs based on their needs and advocating for initiatives to strengthen systems. Currently, our team is focusing on five core areas in the context of informal women worker collectives: 1. Economic Sustainability, 2. Climate Resilience, 3. Youth Inclusion, 4. Digital Inclusion, and 5. Innovation If your organisation is interested in collaborating with us to support and empower informal women workers collectives, please reach out to us. We look forward to working together!