Each Woman Champion (EWC) - Project Synopsis

इच वूमन चॅम्पियन – Pilot Programme 2026–27

Total pilot budget:

US$ 210,526 | 500 Woman Entrepreneurs

Cost per entrepreneur: US$ 421

 

Full Scale Project:

US$ 577,600 | 3500 Woman Entrepreneurs

 

Submitted by

Garje Marathi Global Inc. USA

501c3 nonprofit EIN 84-3363654

Garje Marathi Global Foundation

Index
1. Project briefly

2. Executive summary

3. About the implementing organisation

4. Problem statement and need

5. Project goal and objectives

6. Target group, geography and selection

7. Programme design

8. Theory of change

9. Implementation plan and timeline

10. Governance, team and partnerships

11. Monitoring, evaluation and KPIs

12. Project budget

13. Fund flow, disbursement and financial controls

14. Sponsorship options and value for CSR partners

15. Five-year scale-up plan

16. Diversified funding model and convergence

17. Risks and mitigation

18. Sustainability and exit strategy

19. Expected impact

20. Reporting and compliance commitments

21. Declaration

Item	Details
Project title	Each Woman Champion (EWC) – Pilot Programme Dec 2026–Feb 27 Main Program: April27 onwards
Project owner	Garje Marathi Global, USA – 501(c)(3) non-profit with 20,000+ members in 27+ countries
Implementing agency	Garje Marathi Global Foundation (Section 8 company), offices in Thane and Pune, Maharashtra
Thematic area	Women's economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development and livelihood enhancement
Geography	For Pilot: 25 talukas in 8 districts of Maharashtra: Pune, Nashik, Akola, Buldhana, Sangli, Solapur, Ahilyanagar, Washim For Main Program: 36 Districts/ 350 Talukas of Maharashtra
Direct beneficiaries	Pilot: 500 women entrepreneurs (20 per taluka) and a pool of about 50 trained facilitators Main Program: 7000 Women entrepreneurs , 20 per Taluka and 350 Talukas each year
Indirect beneficiaries	Families of participants, employees they hire, local suppliers and the wider community
Project duration	Pilot: December 2026 – February 2027 (three months)
Total budget	For Pilot US$ 210,526
Cost per entrepreneur	For Pilot: US$ 421 (fully loaded, including mentoring, linkage and monitoring) For Main: Expected to come down to 110$ per entrepreneur.
Contact person	1.      Anand Ganu, Founder President, Garje Marathi Global Inc. gmgadmin@garjemarathi.com, phone - +1 (732) 789-7130 2.     Madhav Dabke, Director, Garje Marathi Global Foundation – madhav.dabke@garjemarathi.com, phone - +91 91678 90002

Women in rural and semi-urban Maharashtra run thousands of small enterprises in food processing, handicrafts, handloom, agri-based products, services and homestays. They bring skill, determination and deep local knowledge, but most lack structured business training, mentoring, access to formal credit, reliable markets and professional networks. As a result many enterprises stay small, informal and vulnerable.

Each Woman Champion (EWC) is a five-year initiative of Garje Marathi Global Inc., USA (GMG), and Garje Marathi Global Foundation (GMGF) to build a statewide network of capable, confident women entrepreneurs. The Dec 2026–Feb 27 pilot will select 500 women from 25 talukas in 8 districts and take them through a 12-week hybrid programme, followed by three months of mentoring, finance linkage and market linkage.

EWC is not another classroom training.

Its distinguishing proposition is: Training + Mentoring + Finance + Markets + Technology + Global Connections

 

Delivery rests on three layers: about 50 local facilitators trained centrally and supported weekly; GMG's global network of experts, entrepreneurs and investors delivering online sessions and mentoring; and partner institutions such as the Maharashtra State Khadi & Village Industries Board, Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha and Godavari Mahila Sahakari Bank, which coordinate at district level and open doors to schemes, credit and markets.

 

Key pilot targets:

·      500 women enrolled; at least 85% completing the programme;

·      a business growth plan for every mentored woman entrepreneurs; at least 70% of them with a digital business presence; at least 150 finance or scheme applications facilitated; and at least 250 additional jobs created within 12 months.

Investment required: US$ 210,526 for the full pilot.

Garje Marathi Global (GMG) was founded in 2018 in California, USA, as a global social organisation that connects Marathi entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers and youth worldwide. It has grown into a network of more than 20,000 members across 27+ countries (with legally registered organization in Canada, UK, Kuwait, Australia and New Zealand) including investors, leading entrepreneurs, startups, students and domain experts.

In India, Garje Marathi Global Foundation is registered as a Section 8 not-for-profit company with offices in Thane and Pune. GMG's stated goal is to help its members contribute at least 1% to Maharashtra's economic output by 2030.

Initiatives by Garje Marathi Global

 

Apart from Each Woman Champion, GMG runs number of initiatives in globally and in Maharashtra with the support of global experts, including:

 

•     Garje Marathi Global Innovation Academy: A virtual learning institution

•     Startup cohorts, mentoring and Mentor Connect

•     Campus-to-Corporate / Beyond Campus programme for students

•     "Vishwachya Gabhari, Garje Marathi" / विश्वाच्या गाभारी गर्जे मराठी  programme on Sahyadri channel

•     "Nav Yugachi Dnyanmala"/ नवयुगाची ज्ञानमाला  on Vidyavani FM 107.4hz

•     "Mi Aani Majha Jilha" / मी आणि माझा जिल्हा district initiative

•     Garje Marathi Business Catalysts

•     Garje Marathi Venture Catalysts

GMG has also organised four global business conventions:

 

Convention	Venue and dates	Participation
1st Global Convention	San Francisco, USA – 29–30 July 2023	500+ Marathi professionals worldwide
2nd Global Convention	New Jersey, USA – 3–4 August 2024	600+ members
3rd Global Convention	Pune, India – 10–11 January 2025	1,200+ participants, 500+ startups, professionals from 30 countries
4th Global Convention	Dubai – 16–17 August 2025	700+ members
5th Global Convention	London – 4th October 2026	250+ members (Only EU Focused)

 

Start up and mentoring cohort details

 

Initiative	Impact created	Remarks
Start-up mentoring cohorts	5 so far, 175+ start ups mentored, INR 28 Cr. + funding raised through investors	18 weeks curated program delivered through online-off line mode.
Knowledge sessions	750+ video sessions held	Via webinars, hybrid mode. Videos available on YouTube channel of GMG

 

Women entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban Maharashtra have the talent and drive to build enterprises, but face a consistent set of barriers that keep their businesses small and informal:

•     Business skills: little exposure to costing, pricing, record-keeping, marketing or planning for growth.

•     Customer and market knowledge: decisions are often based on assumption rather than structured customer feedback, limiting product-market fit.

•     Finance: limited credit readiness, documentation and awareness of government schemes and bank products.

•     Market access: dependence on local buyers and middlemen; little use of digital channels and e-commerce.

•     Formalisation: many enterprises lack Udyam registration, GST registration where applicable, business bank accounts and digital payments.

•     Mentoring and networks: few role models, mentors or peer networks to turn to when problems arise.

•     Confidence and family support: social expectations and time constraints limit participation in long programmes.

Many existing programmes deliver one-time classroom training without the follow-through that changes outcomes: mentoring over months, help with credit and scheme applications, and introductions to buyers and markets. EWC is designed to close that gap by combining training with sustained hand-holding and linkages.

Goal: Enable women in every district and taluka of Maharashtra to become confident, successful entrepreneurs, contributing to inclusive growth and to the state's goal of a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Specific objectives of the pilot

•     Train and certify a pool of about 50 facilitators who can recruit, train and mentor women entrepreneurs locally.

•     Select 500 women entrepreneurs (20 per taluka, 25 taluka from 8 districts) through a transparent, customer-focused intake and scoring process.

•     Deliver a 12-week hybrid programme covering 11 business modules, with at least 85% of participants completing it.

•     Help every woman entrepreneur enrolled to prepare and present a 12-month business growth plan.

•     Increase formalisation and digital adoption: Udyam registration, business bank accounts, digital payments and an online presence.

•     Connect entrepreneurs to credit, government schemes, marketplaces, buyers and investors.

•     Demonstrate measurable gains in revenue, profitability and local employment, building the evidence base for statewide scale-up.

Target group

Small, micro and marginal women entrepreneurs, including women from smallholder farming households, who either run an existing enterprise or have a clear business idea. The priority is on enterprises with social and economic impact and the potential to grow.

Pilot geography

District	Talukas	Talukas (no.)	Women
Pune	Bhor, Mulshi, Maval, Khed, Junnar	5	100
Nashik	Nashik, Malegaon, Niphad	3	60
Akola	Akola, Akot	2	40
Buldhana	Malkapur, Buldhana, Chikhli, Khamgaon	4	80
Sangli	Miraj, Tasgaon, Atpadi	3	60
Washim	Washim, Mangrulpir, Karanja	3	60
Solapur	Pandharpur, Sangola	2	40
Ahilyanagar	Ahilyanagar, Sangamner, Shrirampur	3	60
Total	8 districts	25	500

 

Priority sectors

Processed foods and exports; eco-friendly products; handicrafts and handloom; health and wellness products; agri-tech and food processing; sales through e-commerce platforms (like Amazon, Flipkart, GarjeBiz, Maha Marketplace); tourism and home-stays; digital services and traditional businesses.

Eligibility

•     Woman resident of the taluka, aged 18 or above.

•     An existing enterprise or a clear business idea.

•     Written commitment to give about 4–6 hours a week for 12 weeks.

•     Access to a smartphone (own or family) for online sessions.

Selection process

Facilitators run outreach through self-help groups, gram panchayats, bank branches, Khadi Board representatives and local associations, aiming for at least 60 applications per taluka. Each eligible applicant takes part in a 20–30 minute intake interview that explores her business, customers, revenue, customer pain points and competitors. Two assessors score each applicant independently on a 100-point rubric:

Criterion	Points
Business clarity	20
Customer understanding	20
Growth potential	15
Fit with priority sectors	10
Learning readiness and commitment	20
Social impact	15
Total	100

 

The final 20 per taluka balance existing and new enterprises, sectors and villages, with 5 more on a waitlist. The intake data also forms the baseline for measuring impact and is used to tailor the curriculum to each cohort.

EWC has five connected components.

Component 1 – Facilitator development (Train-the-Trainer)

A central pool of about 50 facilitators, drawn from partner institutions, volunteers and local professionals, is trained in Pune. Training opens with a full-day facilitator boot camp on 31 October 2026 covering:

•     programme objectives

•     recruitment and selection

•     customer-focused intake interviews

•     session delivery and adult-learning methods

•     digital tools

•     reporting

•     post-programme linkages

Each facilitator receives a bilingual handbook and continues to receive support through weekly facilitator calls and refresher sessions.

Component 2 – Outreach, recruitment and selection

This component covers outreach, information sessions, applications, intake interviews, dual scoring and approval of the selection list by the core committee. Section 6 describes the process.

Component 3 – 12-week hybrid entrepreneurship programme

The weekly rhythm is:

•     one online expert session of 60–90 minutes, delivered by GMG's global network

•     one in-person class of 2.5–3 hours, led by the local facilitator

•     one practical assignment

•     one-to-one mentoring every two weeks

Learning is supported by:

•     an LMS

•     Zoom

•     workbooks

•     local case studies

•     industry-based assignments

•     regular progress reviews

Week	Module	Practical output
1	Orientation; Ideation and Innovation	My business on one page
2	Know Your Customers and Competition	Interviews with at least 5 customers
3	Grow Your Business	3 prioritised growth opportunities
4	Sales and Marketing	Pricing and a practised sales pitch
5	Digital Marketing Strategy	WhatsApp Business catalogue and online presence
6	Business Finance	One month of income-expense records
7	Management and Operations; mid-term review	One operational improvement
8	Leadership and Team Building	Team and delegation plan
9	Art of Negotiation	One negotiated real transaction
10	Funding and Investors	Loan or scheme application ready
11	Social Entrepreneurship	Social impact plan
12	Growth plan presentation and graduation	12-month business growth plan

 

Selected participant needs at least 80% attendance, at least 10 completed assignments and a presented growth plan to receive a certificate.

Component 4 – Mentoring and growth support (six months after graduation)

Graduates continue to receive structured support:

•     mentoring from GMG global mentors and local champions

•     help implementing the growth plan

•     financial and investment readiness

•     market linkage

•     a state-level Demo Day / Investor Day, where top entrepreneurs present to investors, banks and buyers

GMG's Venture Catalyst Group and interested members may consider investing in selected enterprises after their own evaluation.

Component 5 – Linkages and convergence

•     Formalisation: Udyam registration, GST registration where applicable, business bank accounts, digital payments.

•     Finance and schemes: PMEGP, CMEGP, PM Mudra Yojana, Stand-Up India, PMFME, MAVIM, UMED/MSRLM, District Industries Centres, partner banks.

•     Markets: GarjeBiz, Maha Marketplace, Amazon, Flipkart, Khadi Board exhibitions and outlets, buyer meets.

•     Networks: GMG's 20,000+ member global network for knowledge, mentoring, technology and market connections.

Stage	Description
Inputs	Curriculum, LMS, trained facilitators, global experts and mentors, partner institutions, funding
Activities	Train-the-Trainer, outreach and selection, 12-week hybrid programme, mentoring, finance and market linkage, Demo Day
Outputs	50 facilitators trained; 500 women enrolled; 425+ graduates; growth plans; registrations, digital presence, loan and scheme applications
Outcomes (6–12 months)	Higher revenue and profit, new customers and markets, formal registration, access to credit, new jobs, greater confidence
Impact (3–5 years)	A statewide network of women-led enterprises, stronger family incomes, local employment and inclusive growth in Maharashtra

Key assumptions: participants can commit the required time with family support; partner institutions stay engaged at district level; banks and scheme offices respond to well-prepared applications; and digital access is available at least at a shared level.

 

Milestone	Target date
Pilot announcement and mentors onboarding	August 2026
Facilitator boot camp, Pune	31 October 2026
Outreach, applications, intake interviews and selection	1–30 November 2026
Start of the Pilot , 12 week Program	First week December 2026

•     Finance and schemes: PMEGP, CMEGP, PM Mudra Yojana, Stand-Up India, PMFME, MAVIM, UMED/MSRLM, District Industries Centres, partner banks.

•     Markets: GarjeBiz, Maha Marketplace, Amazon, Flipkart, Khadi Board exhibitions and outlets, buyer meets.

•     Networks: GMG's 20,000+ member global network for knowledge, mentoring, technology and market connections.

Level	Body / role	Responsibilities
Oversight	Board of Garje Marathi Global Foundation, INDIA and Board of Garje Marathi Global Inc. USA	Approves the project, budget and sponsor agreements; reviews progress and audit
Strategy	EWC Core Committee	Programme strategy, curriculum, partner management, finance oversight, approval of selection lists
Management	Programme Management Unit, Pune	Programme manager, MIS and M&E, finance and accounts, communications, sponsor reporting
District	Partner institutions	District coordination, outreach, venues, linkage to schemes, credit and markets
Taluka	About 50 trained facilitators	Recruitment, selection, weekly classes, mentoring, progress records, weekly reports
Expertise	GMG global expert network	Online faculty, mentors, investors and market connections

 

Partner institutions

 

Partner	Role in EWC
Maharashtra State Khadi & Village Industries Board	Taluka-level coordinators for meetings and outreach; listing of members' products (including handmade paper and honey) on the GMG marketplace
Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha	District-level responsibility; outreach and facilitators District-level responsibility; financial literacy and credit linkage Venue partner for the facilitator boot camp
Godavari Mahila Sahakari Bank
Pune International Centre

 

EWC measures success by business results, not just the number of women trained. The baseline is the intake interview. After that:

•     facilitators submit weekly progress reports

•     the LMS tracks attendance and assignments

•     end-line, 6-month and 12-month surveys measure change against the baseline

•     case studies capture qualitative change

Indicator	Pilot target	Means of verification	Frequency
Facilitators trained and certified	50	Attendance, post-training assessment	Once + refreshers
Applications received	1,500 (60 per taluka)	Application register	Once
Women enrolled	500	Selection lists, LMS	Once
Programme completion (≥80% attendance)	≥85% (425+)	LMS and attendance registers	Weekly
Growth plans presented	100% of participants	Growth plan documents	Week 12
New Udyam registrations	≥50% of participants unregistered at baseline	Registration certificates	6 months
Digital presence (WhatsApp Business / online listing)	≥70% of participants	Screenshots, listing links	End-line
Marketplace / e-commerce listings	≥100 entrepreneurs	Platform listings	6 months
Loan / scheme applications facilitated	≥150	Application copies, bank records	Quarterly
Graduates reporting higher revenue	≥60%	Follow-up survey vs baseline	6 and 12 months
Additional jobs created	≥250	Follow-up survey, verification sample	12 months
Participant satisfaction	≥4 on a 5-point scale	Feedback forms	Each module

An independent impact assessment can be commissioned if the sponsor requires one. Its cost is not included in this budget.

All amounts are converted from the base INR budget at an indicative rate of ₹95 = US$ 1 and rounded to the nearest dollar. Final amounts will follow the exchange rate on the date of each transfer; the INR budget remains the reference.

The total pilot budget is US$ 210,526 across 25 talukas over 12 months. It is an indicative planning budget, to be refined once trainer compensation, venue partnerships, technology costs and CSR participation are finalised.

Budget summary

Budget head	Amount (USD)	Share
A. Central programme development	US$ 59,211	28.1%
B. Taluka-level implementation (25 talukas)	US$ 65,800	31.3%
C. Central mentoring and growth support	US$ 39,474	18.8%
D. Monitoring, administration and communications	US$ 46,041	21.9%
Total pilot budget	US$ 210,526	100%
Cost per woman entrepreneur (500)	US$ 421
Fully loaded cost per taluka (20 women)	US$ 8,421

 

A. Central programme development

Component	Amount (USD)	Basis / what it covers
Curriculum development	US$ 10,526	Design of 11 modules in Marathi and English, case studies, assessments and facilitator guides
Training material / workbooks	US$ 6,579	Printed workbooks and case books for 500 participants and about 50 facilitators
LMS / digital platform	US$ 6,579	LMS licence and hosting, Zoom, content upload and user support for 12 months
Trainer development programme	US$ 13,158	Facilitator boot camp, facilitator kits, refresher sessions and travel for about 50 facilitators
Expert faculty / honorarium	US$ 9,211	Honoraria for subject experts delivering weekly online sessions
Programme management (curriculum and delivery)	US$ 13,158	Central team managing curriculum, scheduling and delivery quality
Subtotal A	US$ 59,211

 

B. Taluka-level implementation

Indicative expenditure per taluka (20 women):

Component	Amount (USD)	Basis / what it covers
Local trainer / facilitator	US$ 987	Honorarium for taluka facilitator(s) across recruitment, 12 weeks and follow-up
Venue / local training expenses	US$ 526	Classroom venue, seating, projector and refreshments for weekly classes
Participant material	US$ 263	Local printing, stationery and kits for 20 participants
Local coordination	US$ 395	Outreach, information sessions, partner meetings and local travel
Digital / communication	US$ 132	Data packs, group Zoom viewing and WhatsApp communication
Assessment and monitoring	US$ 197	Baseline intake, attendance and progress tracking, end-line assessment
Demo / recognition activity	US$ 132	Taluka graduation, certificates and recognition of champions
Cost per taluka	US$ 2,632

 

Subtotal B: US$ 2,632 × 25 talukas = US$ 65,800

C. Central mentoring and growth support

Component	Amount (USD)	Basis / what it covers
Mentor coordination	US$ 10,526	Matching and coordinating GMG global and local mentors
Business growth plan support	US$ 6,579	One-to-one support to prepare a 12-month growth plan for each entrepreneur
Financial / investment readiness	US$ 6,579	Credit readiness, scheme applications, bank linkage and investor preparation
Market linkage	US$ 6,579	Marketplace onboarding (GarjeBiz, Maha Marketplace, e-commerce), exhibitions, buyer meets
Demo Day / Investor Day	US$ 9,211	State-level showcase of top entrepreneurs before investors, banks and buyers
Subtotal C	US$ 39,474

 

D. Monitoring, administration and communications

Component	Amount (USD)	Basis / what it covers
Project management	US$ 13,158	Programme manager, MIS and finance support at the Programme Management Unit
Monitoring and impact measurement	US$ 6,579	Baseline, end-line, 6-month follow-up survey and impact report
Communications / documentation	US$ 6,579	Case studies, success stories, sponsor reporting and publicity
Travel / logistics	US$ 13,158	Field visits, monitoring travel and district coordination meetings
Contingency	US$ 6,567	About 3% of the budget for unforeseen costs, used only with sponsor approval
Subtotal D	US$ 46,041

Budget notes and assumptions

•     The budget covers direct costs for the ‘Pilot’/

•     GST and applicable taxes will be different where applicable, to be calculated at the time of occurrence.

•     Contingency is used only with the prior approval of the sponsor; any unused amount is returned or reallocated with written consent.

•     Programme management and administration (heads A6 and D) are shown transparently so sponsors can apply their own overhead policies.

•     In-kind contributions are not costed above: pro bono time of GMG global experts and mentors, partner institution staff time and venues offered by partners. Together they add substantial value estimated at over US$50,000 considering expertise and industry knowledge of mentors.

•     A detailed month-wise disbursement and working-capital plan will be shared with the sponsor at the agreement stage.

Financial controls

•     A dedicated bank account or separate ledger for EWC funds.

•     Expenditure under a board-approved delegation of authority, with dual approval for payments above a set limit.

•     Monthly reconciliation and quarterly financial reports to sponsors.

•     Annual statutory audit; utilisation certificates certified by a chartered accountant.

•     Unspent funds returned or reallocated only with the sponsor's written consent.

Risk	Likelihood	Impact	Mitigation
Too few applications in some talukas	Low	High	Outreach through Khadi Board, SHGs, banks and partners; information sessions; waitlist
Drop-out during the 12 weeks	Medium	High	Schedules agreed with participants, buddy system, family orientation, same-day follow-up; waitlist replacement until week 2
Uneven facilitator quality	Medium	Medium	Standard handbook, boot camp, weekly facilitator calls, observation visits, feedback
Limited digital access	High	Medium	Group Zoom viewing at class venues, recordings, printed workbooks
Linkages do not convert into credit or sales	Medium	High	Early engagement of banks and scheme offices from week 10, partner bank, dedicated linkage support
Data privacy of participants	Low	High	Written consent, restricted data access, facilitator code of conduct
Exchange-rate movement	Medium	Medium	INR budget is the reference; USD amounts adjusted at transfer; scope agreed in INR

 

•     The trained facilitator pool remains in the districts and can run further cohorts at lower cost.

•     Graduates join an EWC alumni network, and successful "champions" become mentors and role models for the next cohorts.

•     Linkages to government schemes, banks and marketplaces continue beyond the project period.

•     Curriculum, LMS content and the facilitator handbook are reusable assets for scale-up.

•     Future cohorts can be co-funded by government programmes, banks and new CSR partners, with a nominal participant contribution where appropriate.

For the pilot, EWC expects 425 or more graduates with growth plans, stronger and more formal enterprises, better access to finance and markets, and at least 250 additional jobs within 12 months.

At statewide scale, if 7,160 women take part each year and even half of them create one additional sustainable job, EWC would generate about 3,580 additional jobs a year. This comes on top of stronger livelihoods for the entrepreneurs themselves.

The larger effect is the multiplier. One successful woman entrepreneur strengthens her family, creates employment, supports local suppliers and becomes a role model for other women in her community. The aim is to help women:

Start Better. Manage Professionally. Grow Sustainably. Create Employment. Become Champions.

 

•     Quarterly narrative and financial progress reports against the KPIs in Section 11.

•     Utilisation certificates certified by a chartered accountant for each tranche.

•     Audited annual financial statements of GMGF.

•     A final project report with impact findings, case studies and photographs (with participants' consent).

•     Compliance with the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 and the sponsor's CSR policy, including any impact-assessment requirements.

•     Sponsor branding used only as approved by the sponsor.

We certify that the information in this project report is true and correct to the best of our knowledge. Funds received for this project will be used only for the purposes described here, and Garje Marathi Global Foundation will comply with all applicable laws and the reporting requirements agreed with the funding partner.

 

October 2026  |  Version 1.1  |  Budget currency: US Dollars (USD), converted at ₹95 = US$ 1