Banglar Baghini- Women change makers in community growth.

Bangladesh,163.05M population (Source: http://worldpopulationreview.com),  49.42% female. Women's empowerment and achieving gender equality, essential sustainable development of Bangladesh.9% of women are below poverty line (2018 data).

44 million women comes underage group of 15 to 64years (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Bangladesh). Bangladesh handicraft and textile industries, have capability to become world’s billion-dollar fashion industry hub. Target age group 15-30yrs from rural Bangladesh. Education ,skill development and capability building provided. Group segregated - Leaders, Early Learners, Creative skill developers, Techie fast movers, Operations team, Implementation team and Delivery team. Make these group revenue generators, who become brand ambassadors for Project to reach age group from 31-50yrs creating similar pockets across rural Bangladesh.

“Educate a boy, and you educate an individual. Educate a girl, and you educate a community.” Rural women realise their capability and contribution is taking Bangladesh to next level. They send their children to schools and drive economic growth as torch bearers.

Aspasion group in India, working with women in poverty line/ below poverty line termed Self Help Groups in collaboration with West Bengal state Municipality;

-        Capability development in various kind of work which is in demand.

-        Women are key part of making end products from waste and recycle textile developed by us to make India plastic free.

-        Tailoring, handicraft work, food catering, cooking, packaging to meet industry and societal demands.

-        Education forms integral part of this group, 1hr everyday is to impart education to improve work standard and teach all that is essential to self-sufficient business groups.

Such problems are similar in India and Bangladesh and language is also same in Bangladesh and West Bengal. This work has started in last 2months. Pilot of 25days with 10 women and implementation in bigger groups make necessary changes, has been highlight of our stepwise movement in removing darkness with light. Registered SHG’s under Howrah Municipality consisting of 650 women has been our target segment.

Discipline strategy, technology as facilitator and goals made achievable within stipulated time, yielding result has made the big task simple. SHGs are developing faith, trust and are getting motivated to be independent earning women.

Collaborating with Municipalities’ Urban Planning Department, having complete statistics of SHG psychology and financial situation has been bliss and helpful for         identifying challenge and resolving the same faster. The women have basic concern areas of sustainability, earning scalability, getting recognition to show their families members they are equally contributing and their children going to school for better future.

The process of building trust and faith within SHG on our solution, we have proposed and adhered to make it work for SHG. More caring attitude has been our highlight. Our process begins with meeting identified SHG by Municipality, selecting 10 women of SHG for pilot of 25days, visiting the site of pilot ensuring all amenities are in place for making the learning and execution process happy, motivating, trustworthy and result oriented. Successful pilot is inspiration among SHGs,yes- good times are ahead to improve their present economic and social scenario.

The solution has applications, AI and structured process that makes the solution interesting, exciting with feel and touch and showing how the solution is working for irradiating poverty and creating sustenance of livelihood. Clarity and understanding, created motivation to learning technology and acquiring basic education. 

We provide assistance to SHGs, rural girls and women to achieve livelihood of sustenance, educate self and their children and contribute to family as bread earners. Our focus is establishing emotional connect, we are different.

Presently, NGOs or various trusts, working with women empowerment. Lack of proper research and technology knowledge resulted in failure to identify products that are on demand. Products from NGOs lacks style, quality, presentability and elegance. Delivery timelines were not adhered to, as a result corporate world stayed away from procuring products from NGOs. And absence of process and innovation, the NGO arm performance were unsatisfactory.

Our goal, creating multiple hubs comprising of municipality/ blocks / panchayats. With their help, we connect with girls & women in and below poverty line. These groups trained & groomed to develop their internal skills to make products as per design provided. This whole process is monitored by the concerned government bodies. This process, not only help various women to earn but facilitates self-sustenance too, contributing to better standard of living. Moreover, the finished products which these groups prepare are unique, than that existing in market. Our product design and development team are backbone, providing such innovative style that makes customers obsessed with such utility and need based products. Emotional connect is established.

Aspasion Creatives Foundation, non-profit organization, not only is concerned about women but about environment too. In West Bengal, India, in collaboration with textile ministry, we manufacture natural recycled fabric from waste yarn, transforming them into low cost shopping bags, which replaces plastic bags. Our research is on-going for creating replacement of plastic in everyday use using textile waste. We have also manufactured premium silk of different texture, which were once used by the royals and are in verge to extinct today. This fabric is used for making tie, pocket square, scarf, formal and informal wear. Every project starts in pilot stage for few days then upon ensuring all criteria are matched, the main execution starts. This leads to happy, motivating & learning environment for SHGs. They also learns about discipline & behavioral skill which make them confident to face the world.

Technology is AI based applications with various segments for input data. Besides, serves communities with 'All Time Information' related to their product development, location and doing various innovation work for new developments. It's added feature is innovative special bar code. 

Our innovation is in ;

Technology- AI will have such features built in it that it serves as "All Time Information" for innovative development. For the first time, products manufactured will have special bar code which is connected to AI app. This bar code provides complete information from manufacturer to end customer , disclosing selling price, location and change of hands. Such data, will be help designers and marketing team to understand the trends and customer preferences. Product is under safe custody, especially precious and expensive products.

Approach - As non-profit organization, our approach is based on establishing emotional connect in our designed products. Customer is king , in present scenario of extensive competition, it's loyal customers who are assets for any business growth and emotional connect is only way to stay ahead.

Process: Rural women, were not trained to cope up with world and get equal opportunity like men. Our action plan will lead them no to achieve sustainable income , education and grooming. We will provide necessary gadgets with our unique App so that we could be contacted by them any time and they get help from us all time. The App will contain all information required for this project in local language. Thereby we would create a team of trainers nationwide leading to women empowerment.

Our goal is to empower rural women to earn & become self-sufficient. Our AI based capability building programme will help them to learn, execute and innovate continuously.

Target group is women in 18 to 50 years. This selection will be conducted through government bodies operating in the rural areas of Bangladesh. The selected group will be addressed be part of our team in learning and converting it into earning. Different groups will be created as per the age & interest. The priority will be to educate all, so that they can use the AI platform most effectively.

The training will be designed as per the need & consulting with the authorised body of Bangladesh. This would minimize the inequalities between the Urban & Rural manpower. The trainees will gain confidence towards personal growth.

Our unique application will be based on the local language and its user-friendly accessibility will help every user to connect with the world and moreover will be able to place themselves in the society. As per UN Women “Empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps in the world of work are key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Hence for countries under growing economy, it is must to go for sustainable economy & not temporary one. In this rapid technological & digital inclusion in the market, women need to be equipped with the latest technology bliss, for their progress and participation in various world platforms, interact with fellow women, enhancing their vision. 

Presently, our presence is in India. We have started working in West Bengal State in last 2 months with Howrah Municipality. Here focus is SHGs of 650 number. Each SHG , consists of group of 10-12 women in poverty line or below poverty line.

In Bangladesh , our focus is women & girls within the age of 18 to 50 in rural Bangladesh. Rural Bangladesh is rich in culture. Women are skilled in handicrafts with old technologies prevailing from generations. We will connect existing framework in modern AI enabled technology, increasing their productivity and confidence to face the world.Our project will be based in fission method where one candidate on completion of the training will train other within her known territory. As we will be working on Block & Panchayat Level, our target will be 20 villages initially in a year. This will grow by 50% in next subsequent year . Thereafter, with from third year, we are aiming to reach 100%, 300% and by 5th year to cover all balance women and girls in rural Bangladesh. 

Rural Bangladesh, similar to society of rural West Bengal, is mainly Gender Oriented. Focus is on male child than female. This inequality has led to, huge backlog in country’s economic growth. Current researches prove, progressive economy is women empowerment. Rural women participation can create huge transformation in creating economic acceleration. Rural women are confined within government jobs & handicraft sector. Our goals related is stepwise progress in;

-        Overall development of women and girls, creating livelihood of sustenance with technology. Impact is bigger, greater and faster, technology provides knowledge, reach and scalability. Women get more time for managing better household work.

-        Social management system reaches equality balance. Government incorporates laws that provides facility to rural women and girls. Male dominated society starts accepting the change and generations next gets better facilities.

-        Rural women and girls empowered to meet various women in urban and world platforms. Exchange of ideas and skill leads to transformation of perspective and motivation urges to scale up.

Placement of rural educated women in fast-moving society, will create huge development in country. Their ideas, knowledge, craftsmanship gained from her ancestors, along with the deployment of modern technology can facilitate growth. Placing 50% girls & women to the modern society, balance 50% continue to scale their existing/new work with technology help. In five years 50% of the female population (18 - 50 yrs) is versatile in fusion (old & modern digital technology). Women starts contributing equally with Men, in economic growth.

Social / Cultural barrier: Male are believed to be superior than women. Mostly rural women & girls are not allowed step outside the house and mix with the outer world. There are some remote villages, where girls going to school is treated as crime. Women working are looked down upon.

Technical barrier: Internet connectivity and network speed which is mandatory for our developed AI to function effectively and faster in villages and remote areas.

Financial Barrier: Most of the finance of the family goes for the education of the male child than that of female child. People are not so keen to spend for girl’s higher education. In many remote places, women might need little financial help to travel to BB programme centers.  

Market Barrier: Job market is modern technology driven, rural women are unable to cope up with their old skills and managing modern digital world. The women who will be self-employed will have start-up business issue.

In next five years, existing barriers become marginalize with year progress. Cultural barrier will reduce with acceptance gradually. Technical barrier will improve across Bangladesh villages with high speed internet connectivity and women technologically savvy. Financial barrier improves, as women starts working and contributing in creating family wealth.  Market barrier will also improve as job market will find quality and skill at par to meet demand. Self-employed businesswomen will progress and create more employment. In 5 years, women create more light, making the dark economy of Bangladesh lighted with hopes of more advancement.

Every barrier is overcome with solution, collaboration with right partners and taking help of plethora of resources which MIT and Tiger Foundation is giving access.

Social barrier: Government of Bangladesh is trying to empower women. We intend to present our plan with strategy to the government and will work with the rural development bodies to implement our project. Bangladesh consulate in India is aware of our focus driven initiative and work in Howrah municipality.

Financial Barrier: Funding from MIT will help to eliminate this problem. All costs with clarity of investment in each segment will be provided to MIT and Tiger Foundation. The fund will be spent in parts like education, capability building, technical training & placement or business assistance.

Technical barrier: Assistance from Tiger foundation, speaking to with Government to make the necessary arrangements in improving connectivity across villages. Development and implementation issues with AI, we would like to take assistance from MIT team.

Market barrier: Generating demand for products manufactured by rural women and assisting with orders with help from Government, Tiger Foundation, business houses and retail across Bangladesh and other countries through exports. Make products to create world demand and colour world with Bangladesh creative focus. Follow global standards on packaging of Bangladesh home made food products. Branding, cleanliness, quality and presentation increases demand curve.

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Bangladesh is identified for expansion plans, as presently our project in West Bengal state in India has language and culture same as Bangladesh. Our focus is rural Bangladesh; except Dhaka, every part of Bangladesh is poor, have women/ girls suffering. We enable our target group with AI technology to enhance their ideas, learning and skills. After basic training, segregation of groups and make each group managing various process, which is required for the programme to function independently year-on-year. Post training, they will be assisted to place themselves to earn their livelihood. Female students from high schools and housewives as villages have early marriage- will be our key important students. Identifying their skill and introducing to AI platform for betterment, showing process by process working is key aspect for building trust and their confidence.  AI based application will expose to enhance their skills. Many small activities are done by these rural women which can be on demand in the market. We will provide them the connection to the market through demand generation.

Our AI app will be created in Bengali, the local language of “Bangladesh” so that the women do not have to get through language barrier with an English language facility to make Rural Bangladesh gradually communicate in English. Simultaneously we will select the best students and appoint them as trainers to reach to villages with AI app.

Any trainee who wants to do business, will be assisted and the market for the product will be created.

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Full time : 3 persons

Part-time: 10 persons 

 Other workers include engineering college and students , artists from various parts of India, NGOs and clubs.

Our team is well balanced with following skills, background and experiences;

- 12 years Business administration and telecom engineering with corporate background. Member and associated with diplomatic group of India Bangladesh Friendship Society.

- Business Management in marketing and software knowledge with 12yrs exposure in international market in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Africa in FMCG segment. Core skill PR relationship building and branding expertise.

- 15yrs experience across diverse industry IT, Banking and Insurance and Print media. Business professional and social entrepreneur with marketing and advertising (major specialization) and HR (minor ). Have been successful with start-up business  in 1 yrs time. Strategy , alliance and channels is core competency apart from marketing, branding and sales. Setting up sales and technical teams and identifying training to build strong marketing and sales team. Has been first Indian women to do stainglass exhibition in Panama.

All team members have creative understanding as painting is hobby of all and each member has strong PR connection, knows to get work done resolving every challenge . Every team member has corporate background.

Most important team knows local language and culture of Bangladesh.

Team is passionate achiever with big dreams . 

Presently, we are working with Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) consultant in helping HMC to make Self Help Groups self sufficient and  independent. Plastic is big issue in Howrah territory which is 500 years old. Hence we developed working in collaboration with Textile department fabrics of different types from waste yarn. This recycled waste fabric is used to make shopping bags for malls and markets. We have identified the product mix besides shopping bags. HMC has identified the SHG group and in space provided by State Government pilot phase is schedule to start after Diwali (Festival of lights). Teaching the women various process involved in making bags from patterning, cutting, stitching, packaging, record maintenance and additionally education for 1 hr to make them read and write ; gradually take them to AI based application platform which they can access. The funding for pilot is organised by  HMC and us together from various CSR funds from corporates. For final project implementation, funding will be provided by HMC and Government departments. Marketing and sales and getting orders in advance is also in our scope of work. 

Our business model based on social and customer value proposition.

1)Value proposition has customer (rural women & girls, women empowerment and creating flowing sustainable income with education) and customers customer (their need is business profitability & experiencing happiness).

2)Customer segment consists of B2B and B2C.Both the segments need loyal customers and our offerings increases loyal customer base.

3)Channels will be direct sales to B2B, retailers, Government bodies, online and stores/ outlet.

4)Customer relationship is get-keep-grow customers. Channels get customers, keep is nurturing relationship done by trained leaders of programme team and grow is by increasing loyal customers with various strategic process.

5) Revenue streams are selling of products/services, patents, consultation projects, our AI platform is so effective tool that various business houses want to use and helping other organizations with innovation and manufacturing products as per their needs. Tourist, school and college visits to location.

6)Resources are finance (revenue streams & CSR funds), Physical (supply of raw materials for manufacturing end products & increasing production any latest machine with advanced technology if required), Intellectual (product design & technology patents, people and customers) and HR (rural women & girls, IT / marketing/designer/ production/ back-office operations / artists/ office administration teams).

7)Partners -company/ store/ entrepreneur to sell our offerings, exporters, strategic alliances & Government for global exhibitions.

8)Activities, primary (innovation, CRM & R&D), secondary (capability building & new product mix) and tertiary (improving process).

9)Costs are (direct + indirect) plus 30% margin on every offering, changes with demand and market scenario.

The revenue model we are mainly following is employment model but there will be mingling of other fundamental models to accelerate growth in various stages. Our mission is to gift cash rich entity to Bangladesh citizens.

Financial sustainability is crucial for any business to prosper. The avenues of making finance sustainable is accepting;

- all types of donations and grants from trusts, associations and corporate world .

- selling products and services 

- making the center of learning, manufacturing and production an educative and tourist spot for visits open for local , school, colleges and international tourist. Also, having a place for fun time stay with nature, creative people and get entertained with various forms of music/ dance. Introduce short courses for of learning handicraft work to interested public. Make such place a center of excellence.

- Raising investment capital from Government and banks.

On 4th year, we will form a co-operative which will have eminent professionals of Bangladesh in the board along with leaders (from rural women and girls). We will make this co-operative independently functional as a company hand holding all processes following migration in stages from us.  The eminent professionals joining in board will be putting some amount of investment money to buy their stake. This will increase cash reserves. On 5th year, we will allow the firm to function on it's own under our guidance and supervision. After 5yrs, if required we will work as consultants for the firm till the time it requires us.

Saving our planet refers not only to climate change but lifting people out of poverty and women empowerment that advances overall economic growth across geographies. Various associations and companies have been addressing this issue through various platforms and projects. We in Aspasion Creatives Foundation, believe in executing change as Change Makers. Collaboration facilitates changes efficiently and effectively in short time, creating bigger impact with results. Teamwork, dedicated mission and structured determination has capability to win every challenge. As neighbouring country, West Bengal State and Bangladesh share lot of common concerns. We are aware of Bangladesh hurdles, people’s mental quotient and zeal to get better living. Partnering with Tiger Foundation, we are getting plethora of strategic and operational support from a network of seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, including office space, support with IP efforts, and be facilitators to garner socio-economic development.

Selection in Tiger Challenge is only tip of an iceberg; implementation, execution and experiencing the change is ultimate happiness. The barriers exist in every project implementation and execution. Advancement for making project ‘Movement of Change’ happens across communities, territories, cities and villages;

-From internet network connectivity

- approvals and legal support of Government of Bangladesh, universities, companies and, NGOs

- various platforms and media coverage to create awareness in rural women and active participation by urban women groups.

With Tiger Foundation support, reaching project timeline milestone becomes simpler and partnering with various types of organizations for successful execution becomes more effective.

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Choosing right mix of partners is always bliss in making journey result oriented. The partners who will strengthen our network is;

-        Government and it’s administrative system for governance and legal support. Reaching out to target group in rural Bangladesh, identifying pockets to set up BB(Banglar Bagini) AI with app, length and breadth of Bangladesh. A place of learning, earning and scaling higher with new innovation. Staying ahead is only option.

-        Universities, where students and youth join the movement to bring impacts of change in society, by educating for 1 hr every day uneducated women across Bangladesh near their locality. Youth contributes by actively working in various process as per their interest as Change Promoters.

-        Various foreign consulates in Dhaka, in getting that countries eminent artists groups in crafts and handicrafts, as capability development programme.

-        Eminent business houses, hospitality industry, healthcare, manufacturing sector, IT industry and retail houses who give their requirements for various needs for these women to create such products par excellence as per world standard.

-        Professionals in Bangladesh who join this movement by purchasing such excellent products Made in Bangladesh.

-        Fashion houses across Bangladesh, who gets benefits of having such premium quality fabrics with innovative designs.

-        Event management teams for organizing fashion shows and exhibitions across world buyer’s hub.

-        Corporate houses and exporters for opening indigenous and export market.

-        Top Government officials and Corporate professionals being the brand ambassadors of Made in Bangladesh products.

Together scalability is far reached.