Unmukt: A Livelihood Initiative by YES (You Empower Society)
About YES
You Empower Society (YES) is a grassroots initiative focused on restoring dignity and agency to individuals through livelihood, learning, and leadership opportunities. YES believes in community-led growth and enabling financial independence with dignity.
Introduction to Project UNMUKT
“Unmukt” means “free” in Hindi. This initiative focuses on creating sustainable livelihoods and employment readiness among marginalized youth and women from South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, primarily through jewelry craftsmanship and artisanal skills.
We don’t need to wait to be rescued. We’ll build our own rescue. And we’ll make it beautiful.
Why Unmukt?
The Need in West Bengal
Unemployment and poverty persist in semi-urban and rural West Bengal, especially for women. According to the National Statistical Office data:
- Female Labor Force Participation Rate (Rural West Bengal): Only 23.3% (PLFS 2022-23)
- Youth Unemployment Rate (15-29 years): 27.8% (CMIE, 2023)
- Informal Employment Dependency: Over 80% of households (NABARD All India Survey)
- Women's Daily Income in Informal Sector: ₹150-₹250 (IndiaSpend/ILO)
- Less than 15% report access to any formal skill training (NSDC 2022)
Key Challenges
Limited Livelihood Opportunities
Absence of affordable, localized skill-building and income-generating platforms.
Gender Barriers to Employment
Early marriage, household responsibilities, and restricted mobility hinder women’s participation.
Underutilized Local Talent
Skilled individuals (e.g., artisans) remain unemployed, underpaid, or disconnected from markets.
Unsustainable Consumption
Fast fashion and wasteful practices contribute to rising waste and declining sustainability.
Market-Readiness Gaps
Lack of soft skills, professional grooming, and exposure to entrepreneurship block employability.
Weak Placement & Career Support
Unstructured or missing pathways for job placements and business linkages.
Our Vision and Objectives
Vision:
To create dignified, sustainable livelihood pathways for youth and women from underserved communities by leveraging traditional crafts and locally available resources.
Core Objectives:
- Train and employ youth and women in the crafts of jewelry-making, stitching, and clay art.
- Establish connections with established jewelers for consistent orders and market access.
- Provide holistic training in soft skills, financial literacy, workplace readiness, and personal growth.
- Cultivate leadership from within the community.
- Build a sustainable business model that prioritizes artisan dignity and fair compensation.
Livelihood Streams Chosen
Jewellary Making
Trainer: Sumaiya Thakur
Justification: Low startup cost, scalable, and high market demand.
Market Strategy: Primary focus on connecting with established jewelers for consistent orders while developing our independent product line.
The Unmukt Approach: For transforming hardship into something you can wear with pride
Stitching & Fabric Reuse
Resources: Existing sewing machines and network
Environmental Aspect: Use of fabric scraps to make pouches, bags, or other small products — promoting zero waste.
Application: Creating pouches and packaging for jewelry items, supporting the primary jewelry focus.
The Unmukt Approach: For mending the fractures of self-worth and stitching together new futures
Clay Art & Décor
Reason: Eco-friendly and rooted in local craft traditions.
Long-term vision: Sustainable, marketable décor items that counter plastic décor waste.
Integration: Creating display items and accessories to complement jewelry products.
The Unmukt Approach : For reminding us that we come from earth, and we can shape ourselves again
Our Approach
Community-Centered
We collaborate with the community rather than working for them, ensuring ownership and sustainability.Strategic & Phased
Building step by step, leveraging existing resources for maximum impact.Business-Driven
Creating sustainable market linkages, with a special focus on partnerships with established jewelers.Collaborative & Multi-Sectoral
Bringing together local clubs, women’s groups, artisans, and vocational trainers to strengthen impact.
Project Structure and Phases
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 0–3)
- Community Outreach & Mobilisation
- Onboarding Trainers
- Building Networks with Jewellers
Phase 2: Training & Setup (Months 4–6)
- Skill Development Workshops
- Establishing Production Units
- Fulfilling Initial Orders
Phase 3: Expansion (Months 7–9)
- Product Refinement & Market Testing
- Strengthening Jeweller Partnerships
- Preparing for Larger Demand
Phase 4: Sustainability (Months 10–12)
- Scaling Production & Business
- Job Placements & Market Exhibitions
- Securing Long-Term Contracts
We invite you to support this journey — to say YES with us.
YES to livelihoods. YES to transformation. YES to possibility.