The initiative will focus on financial and digital literacy, sales, marketing and retail management for women self-help groups

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Government of Telangana, to train and empower over 1,000 women entrepreneurs linked with 100 Mahila Shakti Canteens.

The initiative will focus on financial and digital literacy, sales, marketing and retail management for women self-help groups. While HCCB will co-design and implement the capacity-building programmes with non-governmental partners, SERP will align the project with state development plans and ensure community mobilisation.

“Mahila Shakti Canteens are symbols of economic empowerment and independence for women,” said Divya Devarajan, CEO, SERP.

“Entrepreneurship is the foundation of resilient and inclusive growth. This partnership will serve as a model for holistic development,” said Himanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer, HCCB.

The initiative comes under Project Shine, HCCB’s CSR programme, which has already impacted more than one lakh individuals in Telangana through health, education, women empowerment and waste management projects.