As found on their site, and introduction to this organization goes as follows :

Cwei- Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India is a registered civil society, a voluntary organization that works for the economic empowerment of women in the country and world over.

Cwei acts as a springboard for Entrepreneurship, facilitates technology transfer, improves access to natural resources, product and design development, explore marketing linkages within and outside the country through various Haats, Buyer Seller Meets, Exhibitions and Fairs in India and abroad.

This is an important step towards enhancing their entrepreneurial skills, integrating their force into economic power and transforming them into new generation entrepreneurs.

Cwei acts as a catalyst providing all escort services leading to higher productivity, competitive prices and stringent quality control for export.

Cwei: As e-Governance

Representation in the various Govt. policy- makes bodies for promotion of export from India. Facilitates dissemination of timely information on policies and programs, implementation and monitoring govt. schemes and programs for sustainable growth of Enterprises.

Cwei: As e- Women

Today we are living in the age of Internet, which represent a significant amount of opportunities and frontiers in the field of commerce. A paradigm shift in the industry has created significant opportunities for significant shift in revenue, through the emergence of new market leaders.

Cwei helps in achieving E-commerce or Electronic Commerce by its global information transformation system and with its web portal. E-commerce refers to the trying and selling of products and services online. Cwei having the power of using digital information to understand the needs and preferences of consumers and partners, institutions, voluntary organisation and self enterprises and to thereby customizes products and services to suit the requirement of the consumers through E-commerce buying and selling of products and services can be done quickly, through the internet.

Cwei: Mission Statement …….. !

To motivate the New Generation & Women to opt for Entrepreneurship as a challenging career - the only answer to unemployment.

Cwei: “Mantra” …….. !

Integrated Marketing linked with Product Development & Designing.

Cwei: As Nodal Agency

- A technical and professional organization

- Consists of NGOs, Self Help groups, Institutions & Entrepreneurs

- Also promotes Voluntarism & Social Entrepreneurship

Recognized as the NODAL AGENCY by Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India to
organize various Economic Activities in the country. Declared as Women
Empowerment Year 2001.

Cwei Objectives:

• Acts as a spring board for Enterprise Development.
• Committed to work for the economic empowerment of women & their families, youth, artisans underprivileged, tribal and backward sections of the society through income generating activities with an integrated approach
• Acts as a catalyst to :
- improve access to natural resources
- provide technological support in product & design development with
all escort services, such as packaging and quality control
- link up with credit facilities
- Ultimately explore Marketing linkages very crucial for sustainable development.

• Facilitates dissemination of information to the target groups thereby implementing and monitoring Govt. schemes and programs to raise their living standards.

• Representation in the policy making body in Ministry of SSI, Govt. of India

Clusters Targeted by Cwei

• Marginalised, displaced women and unemployed youth
• War widows & families of Defence services
• Self Help groups
• Artisans, Craftsperson, Weavers, & Producer groups from all over India and the developing world.
• Victims of natural calamities in India
• Tribal Communities in the North Eastern region of India
• Existing and Potential Women Entrepreneurs & Enterprises.
• Schools, Colleges, ITIs, Vocational & Professional Institutes.
• Developing countries in South Asia
• Post Conflict Countries like Afghanistan

“SHASHWAT” - The Rural System of cwei

Launched in 2001, Year of Women Empowerment in India with a view to act as :

• The Common Facility Centre for the adoption & Assimilation of appropriate technologies
• Incubator for hands on training for income generation and self-employment with the cluster approach.
• The Common Brand name for promoting cottage & SSE products.
• “Shashwat” bazaars - Model trade fairs for backward & forward linkages.
• The Theme Pavilion to showcase products exclusively at India International Trade Fair (IITF), Pragati Maidan New Delhi coinciding with our Annual Event - International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference (IWEM&C).

Cwei- Annual Event (IWEM&C):

International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference (IWEM & C) was declared as one of the Cwei’s annual events to highlight issues pertaining to marketing finance, training, product design and development and a host of other critical problems in order to bring the issues to the notice of policy makers, implementing agencies and women entrepreneurs themselves.

From 1996 to 2004 each year delegates and participants from SAARC, the Asia Pacific Region, the Far East, Egypt, Africa, Malaysia, and Mauritius besides Syria, Belarus & Afghanistan come together on a common platform to deliberate on issues concerning the economic development of women of these regions.

In 2004 International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference’04 – Project taken on Increasing Export of Identified Products by Women Entrepreneurs of India to Selected Countries. Over 100 buyers from – Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, & National participants from Gujarat, UP, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur & Mizoram & Delhi attended the one to one Buyer Seller Meet.

International delegates showed interest on wide range of products ranging from Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetic, Petro Chemicals, Textiles, Vegetable Dyes, Hardware, Machinery, Technologies, Packaging Machinery, Home Furnishings, Sanitary ware, Dairy Products, Herbals, Jewelry & Leather & Food Products and all consumer goods.

Cwei also launched online Web Portal which has multiple features interactive product displays, shopping cart and check out during our IWEM&C’04 on Nov’04. The easiest means of conducting business communications, management, etc through electronic media i.e. buying, selling marketing, accounting and other services. The most difficult part of this is financial transactions, which used to be a bottleneck for imports-export but now it becomes very easy.

INTERVENTION OF Cwei IN NORTH EAST

2003: Cwei organized North East Women Entrepreneurs Meet’03 at Judges Field,
Guwahati, Assam, initiated by Govt. of India and opening the gateway for all the NE states. Initiative of this kind was held for the first time in the region for barter trade among the North Eastern region. EPCH was invited along with designers to organize the buyer seller meet.

“SHASHWAT” the rural wing of cwei is executing the action plan for the above meet & five districts were identified in Assam – Guwahati, Sualkuchi, Shiv Sagar, Rangia & Titabar wherein clusters are being developed with a view to design specific modules for entrepreneurship development to enhance the latent potential and talent of artisans in Metal craft (Brass & Bell), Jewellery, Handloom – Weaving, dyeing & printing.

Workshop & Training Program on Advocacy & Capacity Building – Ex- Director IIE & Executive Director RGVN, Banking & Financing – SBI & NABARD, Innovation Technologies for women in North East- KVIC, Design & Dying workshop & hands on Training- Weaver Service Centre.

During our intervention in NE Region we have come in close contact of more than 6000 SHG’s, Artisans & grass root women.

Sualkuchi

Cwei Organized skill development workshop at Sualkuchi on Weaving conducted with Designer & Experts from weaver service centre, CAD Designing & Block Printing using vegetables dyes.

Rangia

Cwei organized Training cum Demonstration Programme at Rangia on Fruit & Vegetable processing with Experts from Ministry of Food Processing, Horticulture, Floriculture, Herbs & Medicinal Plants with Experts from Bosco RICH. We also organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Jewellery Introduce New and innovate technologies in traditional field in the year 2003 in the district of Assam.

Hajo

In Hajo Cwei organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Bell Metal & Brass Metal

2004 - In our continuous endeavor to meet the recommendations Cwei organized
“SHASHWAT”- Design cum Skill Development Workshop on June’04 at Sualkuchi, Assam on Dyeing, Designing & printing – an exclusive training program with specific design modules was introduced on Vegetable dyes. Modern techniques of designing & weaving were introduced through CAD & CAM.

New Alliances was formed between producers, entrepreneurs, and buyers including establishment of effective linkages for up-gradation of skills, technical know how and innovations in designing of products.

SAWE:
South Asian Women Entrepreneurs Forum

The International Wing of Cwei
Formed in 1998 with the support of UN Agencies and CYP Asia Alliance Building & Networking

SAWE - International Achievements

• Experience of Alliance Building started with effective establishments of focal points in SAARC and Asia Pacific Region for marketing linkages
• Grown in strength with new member countries joining each year.

1998: Govt. of Mauritius invited cwei to set up the focal point in the country - opening the gateway to Africa.

This year Cwei also organized International Women Entrepreneurs Meet & Conference’98 from 1-6th Nov’98, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Focus – Alliance Building: Grass root Women Entrepreneurs, artisans & Youth of South Asia

1999: Active participation of entrepreneurs and coordinators from 20 developing countries including Africa

2000: MOU signed with MAICCI, Malaysia & opportunity to market in the ASEAN region

2001: Network reached out to Arab World with Egypt & Syria joining us.

2002: MOU signed with Belarusian Union of Women, Republic of Belarus, East Europe

2003: Mission Afghanistan: Set up Afghan Women’s Business Council (AWBC), an ongoing program on Enterprise Development & Marketing in the post conflict country.

Afghanistan Follow up in India

¨ 26 entrepreneurs recommended by Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of Afghanistan, participated in the technical hands on training in India in Nov.2003. AWBC formally joined SAWE Training organized on Leather, Garments, Food, Herbals (Shenaz), Jewellery (NIFT).

¨ Exchange of entrepreneurs for enhancing skills, design and product development & open new market opportunities between the two countries

2005 - A Follow up of Buyer Seller Meet was organized in Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan in
Jan’05 & MOU was signed between Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, headed
by Hon’ble Dy. Prime Minister Ms. Svetlana T. Inamova, Govt. of Uzbekistan and Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India for promoting women’s entrepreneurship.

2005 - In February’05 Cwei associates itself with over 1000 women & their families
affected by the recent calamity struck by Tsunami in Sri-Lanka and Southern
India. Our approach will be to set up Micro-Enterprises through Training &
Technological Intervention & also provide marketing linkage for long term sustain.

An Extensive Training Programmes in Different Province of India Under ‘SHASHWAT’ Swa Rojgar Jagrukta Abhiyan

Delhi

In Delhi Cwei officials has covered around 500 families throughout the area of Nazafgarh including Pappankalan, Palam Gaon, Pohchanpur, Hamrahi, Bagdula, Matiala Gaon, Shiyog Vihar, Rajpur, Madhu Vihar, Kirnagarh, Kakrola, Bharat Vihar, Mansaram park, Nabada, Nanha Park, Buddha Garden and so many other unidentified villages and organized Training cum Demonstration Programme on Fashion Designing with NIFT, Upgrading Traditionally Skills with Ministry of HRD, Processing of De- Hydrated vegetable with College of Applied Science, & Service Sectors with Shenaz Hussian.

Upgrading traditional skills to reduce drudgery & improve quality an increase productivity to compete in the open market economic.

Shahbad, Delhi.

Cwei conducted NIFT outreach Program for self-employment of women. The grass root women at Shahbad for setting up of production centre for generating income with the cluster approach were given technical training on Soft toy making, Pottery, Ceramic, Metal works, Glass painting, Embroidery, Tailoring, Flower making, Screen Printing, Concrete tile making.

Kusumpur Pahari, Delhi.

In Nov’2002 Cwei organized a workshop & Training Programme on “People Education Program” of KVIC on Credit and Financing for the Women in Urban slums at Kusumpur Pahari.
Women Entrepreneurs from Labor Commission interacted with the women at Kusumpur Pahari and talked about handicraft & handloom products produced by them.

Talkatora Stadium, Delhi

Grass root women & artisans participated in a training program & displayed their product at Talkatora Stadium on the auspicious occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March ‘2002.

Dilli Haat

From 21st to 30th April’ 2001, Cwei organized exhibition of Handicraft Products at Mahila Shilp Mela with artisans & entrepreneurs from Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, U.P. Seminar cum design workshop on Group Entrepreneurship was organized by JD Institute of Fashion Technology followed by a Cultural evening “OORJA- THE STREE SHAKTI”.

Other States of India

Women & girls in U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan and other states of India who have been rehabilitated here and are backward, illiterate and unemployed. Taking in view of their plight, Cwei has conducted an Awareness Generation Camp where we have encouraged them to take initiative in identifying their skills and adopting them for self employment and thus to be independent by Training Program on Fashion Designing with NIFT & Upgrading Traditionally Skills with NRDC.

Training Program at RR Centre

We organized workshop and training programme at RR Centre for the wives of Jawans and Kargil victims in 1999. These Training Programmes on Fruit Processing & Preservatives with Ministry of HRD, Leaf cup making & Upgrading Traditional Skills with NRDC, Vermin Composting & Chalk making with CFTRI.

Training programme for Youth & women

Cwei organized Training Programme on Export Management for Youth & Women with Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in April’99.

Gujarat

Cwei organized “Shashwat” Gramin Shilp Mela at Samalkhan Barthal Road from 25th March to 4th April 2000 more than 70 artisans from different states of India & Women
delegation from Gujarat had participated & exhibited their products and Demonstrate their Technologies and design development during this event.

Hyderabad

On 8th March 2001 on celebration of “International Women’s Day” Cwei organized Mass Awareness Camp at southern regional office at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh in Association with NISIET.
Innovation Technologies & Training programme for self –help, DWACRA groups in the Ranga Reddy’s District in Hyderabad.

Haryana

More than 600 SHG’s beneficiaries from Haryana participated in our Achievement Motivation Camp Coinciding with our Design Development Training Programme & ‘Shashwat’ Buyer Seller Meet at IITF, Pragati Maidan in the year 2001.

Noida (U.P.)

In September’ 2002 Cwei organized Training Programme at NVTI- National Vocational Training Institute at Noida. Innovate Technologies from CSIR were demonstrated on this occasion.

Intervention of Cwei in NE Region

Workshop & Training Programme on Advocacy & Capacity Building – Ex- Director IIE & Executive Director RGVN, Banking & Financing – SBI & NABARD, Innovation Technologies for women in North East- KVIC, Design & Dying workshop & hands on Training- Weaver Service Centre.

During our intervention in NE Region we have come in close contact of more than 6000 SHG’s, Artisans & grass root women.

Sualkuchi

Cwei Organized skill development workshop at Sualkuchi on Weaving conducted with Designer & Experts from weaver service centre, CAD Designing & Block Printing using vegetables dyes.

Rangia

Cwei organized Training cum Demonstration Programme at Rangia on Fruit & Vegetable processing with Experts from Ministry of Food Processing, Horticulture, Floriculture, Herbs & Medicinal Plants with Experts from Bosco RICH. We also organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Jewellery Introduce New and innovate technologies in traditional field in the year 2003 in the district of Assam.

Hajo

In Hajo Cwei organized Design & Technical Development Workshop on Bell Metal & Brass Metal

Cwei Innovation for market linkages to meet the Challenges of Globalization

¨ Adjust to New Market Environment
¨ Identify new Opportunities
¨ Innovations in product Design, Packaging and strategies to minimize cost
¨ Establish Brand Identity for NE Products - SHASHWAT
¨ Marketing Consortia approach - The SHASHWAT Module
¨ To facilitate Export Marketing
• Upgrading technology, improving production skills,
• Developing sophisticated and innovative products
• Provides access to information on new products, prices and Technologies.
• Promotes linkages both national and international.
• Organize Buyer - Seller Meet and Trade shows at regional, national and international
level on ongoing basis.

Virtual networking - Cwei has initiated an interactive WEB PORTAL, develop data bank, plan global forecast & organize virtual exhibition to promote products.

Marketing Strategy of Cwei

i) Strengthen backward linkages to the micro enterprises sector dominated by
Women

ii) Forward linkages to small and medium enterprises particularly those owned by
Women

iii) Introduce and implement a policy of encouraging women owned firms.

iv) Virtual exhibitions of products to establish export linkages.

v) Special attention to agricultural exports. Emphasis on aggressive marketing,
advertising, and promotion are crucial to attain substantial market share. A
systematic approach- A product, market conditions, analysis of what others are
offering, adjustment of the product, fair participation, right approach to buyers is
crucial. This approach is kept in mind while organizing the IWE&C and Buyer
Seller meet during IITF.


Cwei established National & International Marketing Networking:

A) In the country East North region, Southern Region.

B) Expand the focal points of SAWE- International wing of Cwei in different countries to establish marketing channels.


Virtual offices for SAWE with designated contact points are Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal & Sri Lanka, Belarus and Afghanistan.

Cwei Partner in Progress

• Govt. of India
• Department of Women & Child Development
• Ministry of SSI,
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
• Ministry of External Affairs,
• Development Commissioner (H), Ministry of Textiles,
• Ministry of Food Processing,
• Department of Tourism
• Govt. Associates - NCW, KVIC, NSIC, SISI, NISIET, NIESBUD, CSIR, NRDC
• UN Agency - UNIFEM, UNIDO, APCTT
• CYP ASIA
• Banking Institutions - NABARD, SIDBI, SBI, RMK
• Design Institutes - NIFT, JD INSTITUTE, NID.

To know more about this organization, visit their website www.cwei.org