Skilling
Entrepreneurship
Circularity
New Age Jobs
Saath Charitable Trust has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable livelihoods by equipping marginalized communities with the skills, tools, and support needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Through targeted programs for women, youth, informal sector workers, and micro-entrepreneurs, Saath offers vocational training, business development support, and financial literacy to enhance employability and foster entrepreneurial spirit. The Trust also actively promotes models of circular economy by encouraging local production, reuse, and resource efficiency, enabling communities to not only earn a stable income but also contribute to environmentally conscious development. By linking skill-building with real market opportunities, Saath ensures that individuals move beyond subsistence to secure, dignified, and resilient livelihoods.
People trained
Skill development & employment
Business launched
Micro entrepreneurs supported
microentrepreneurs
saw increase in their income after training with Saath
India’s informal sector plays a vital role in sustaining urban livelihoods, contributing significantly to employment, essential services, and local economic development. Micro-entrepreneurs in this sector are often key agents of change—creating jobs, balancing resource use, and supporting communities. However, they face systemic challenges due to limited access to information, financial tools, and business networks. Many lack the necessary knowledge around market trends, business operations, product positioning, and customer engagement, leaving them structurally isolated and struggling to sustain or grow their enterprises.
Majority of the youth engaged in this program come from underserved communities where financial independence is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Without access to skill-based education or exposure to the job market, these young individuals are often left out of mainstream economic growth. Market aligned skill development and vocational training provide them with an opportunity to build their capacities, secure stable employment, and contribute meaningfully to their households and society.
What Has Been Its Impact :
The program has trained approximately 1,044 youth and successfully placed around 700 of them in various employment opportunities. These placements have not only provided financial support to the individuals but have also contributed to increased confidence, better quality of life, and enhanced aspirations for a brighter future.
As India advances as one of the fastest-growing economies, deep-rooted societal norms continue to restrict women to traditionally accepted roles, limiting their participation in several trades considered "male-only" domains. These gendered perceptions hinder women's ability to explore diverse career paths and gain economic independence. The Non-Traditional Livelihood Program was born out of the need to dismantle these stereotypes and expand livelihood choices for women, enabling them to become active agents of change both economically and socially.
What Has Been Its Impact :
Saath trained 173 women in male-dominated trades and micro-entrepreneurship. This includes 32 electricians, 5 mobile repair technicians, and 2 sewing machine repairers. Entrepreneurship training empowered 154 women across Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda, and Rajkot. These women are breaking stereotypes and driving community transformation.
In many low-income communities, women often lack access to stable employment opportunities that offer both income and dignity. At the same time, there is a growing demand for hygienic, homemade snacks that are both nutritious and affordable. Urmila Snacks was launched to address both these needs—creating livelihood opportunities for women while promoting healthy food choices in urban neighborhoods.
The Beautypreneur program is designed to empower women by helping them start their own ventures or build careers in the beauty and wellness sector. In many underserved communities, women are often confined to the role of homemakers with limited opportunities to explore their interests or contribute financially. This program addresses that gap by enabling women to gain professional skills and the confidence to become income earners, thereby supporting their families and fulfilling their personal aspirations.
What Has Been Its Impact :
Saath has trained 336 women as beautypreneurs, enabling them to earn, mentor others, and become changemakers in their communities. Post-Covid, Saath provided financial support and skill mapping to help them revive and grow their businesses in the new market landscape.
The men's grooming industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with increased demand for advanced services such as hair highlights, hair spa, full-body massages, waxing, and facials. Despite this shift, many small salon barbers continue to offer only basic services, limiting their income potential and growth. Recognizing this gap, the Barberpreneur program was initiated as a pilot to provide barbers from small salons with a platform to enhance their skills, increase their revenue, and become financially visible and bankable through structured business and technical training.
What Has Been Its Impact :
Launched as a pilot, the program empowers local barbers with modern grooming skills and business training, creating new income avenues. Post-Covid, Saath supported barbers and beautypreneurs with training and financial aid to restart and strengthen their businesses.
Urban slum youth in India represent both a neglected demographic and a vast reservoir of untapped potential. Due to limited access to higher education, lack of employable skills, and inadequate awareness, many young people in these areas face unemployment or underemployment, often working in low-paying and insecure jobs. At the same time, industries across the manufacturing and service sectors are in urgent need of skilled manpower. Udaan was conceptualized to bridge this gap—connecting the aspirations of urban youth with the realities of a changing job market.
What Has Been Its Impact :
Udaan has trained over 54,000 urban slum youth and placed more than 40,000 in jobs across sectors. Active in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Kachchh, the program empowers youth with skills, dignity, and self-reliance, transforming their futures.
Traditional handloom weaving arts like Tangaliya and Patola, practiced by artisan communities in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, have faced decline due to limited market access, lack of design innovation, and inadequate financial support. These crafts, rich in cultural heritage, were at risk of fading away, leaving artisans without sustainable livelihoods. Recognizing this, Saath Charitable Trust initiated the RWeaves program to preserve these art forms and provide artisans with viable economic opportunities.
What Has Been Its Impact :
RWeaves has supported over 20 artisans in 10+ villages of Surendranagar by helping sell 80% of their products in urban markets, boosting their income and reach. The initiative also preserves traditional Tangaliya and Patola weaving, blending cultural heritage with economic empowerment.
In urban India, domestic work is one of the few livelihood options for uneducated women from low-income communities, despite being in high demand. These jobs often come with low pay, lack of dignity, and no formal rights. To address this, Saath launched Urmila Home Managers to empower domestic workers by providing them with professional identity, skills, and a sense of self-worth.
What Has Been Its Impact :
Saath has trained and placed 800+ women as professional home managers in Ahmedabad. These women now enjoy dignified work, improved confidence, and stable incomes. Shardaben Khatik’s journey—from a daily wage laborer to a respected home manager—highlights the program’s powerful impact on women’s empowerment and livelihood transformation.
In many low-income communities, women often lack access to stable employment opportunities that offer both income and dignity. At the same time, there is a growing demand for hygienic, homemade snacks that are both nutritious and affordable. Urmila Snacks was launched to address both these needs—creating livelihood opportunities for women while promoting healthy food choices in urban neighborhoods.
What Has Been Its Impact :
Through Urmila Snacks, women have gained confidence, independence, and sustainable livelihoods. Buyers benefit from fresh, hygienic, and affordable food options, while the women behind the counter earn respect as skilled food producers. This initiative has proven that small-scale, community-based enterprises can drive both economic change and social inclusion.