Karnataka: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has completed the 38th edition of its iCARE employee-volunteering initiative, bringing together around 570 volunteers to support rural women entrepreneurs from a Karnataka Self Help Group by expanding their capacity to produce eco-friendly home décor products.
Organised in observance of World Entrepreneur’s Day, the initiative was held at Basavanna Convention Hall in Manchagondanahalli, near Kengeri, Karnataka. It involved TKM employees and their families working alongside 15 women artisans from Krishikala, a rural Self Help Group (SHG).
During the programme, volunteers collectively crafted, polished and finished approximately 260 bottle gourd-based home décor products, including decorative lamps, bird nests, pen holders and wall hangings.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor also handed over engraving machines and crafting tools to Krishikala, intended to help the group continue production independently after the volunteering programme ended.
The support addresses one of the principal challenges faced by the SHG: limited access to initial resources and working capital despite rising demand for its products.
According to TKM, several women from neighbouring villages have shown an interest in joining the enterprise, but the group’s ability to expand has been constrained by inadequate financial and production resources.
The new tools are expected to help Krishikala increase production capacity, improve product quality and diversify its range while potentially creating room for more women to join the enterprise.
For a livelihood built around bottle gourds, lamps and handicrafts, the machinery may not sound particularly glamorous — but in a small rural enterprise, a better tool can sometimes matter far more than a bigger slogan.
Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “The true measure of community development is making its members self-reliant to achieve their life goals. By supporting Self Help Groups with the product, production tools and opportunities to expand their businesses, the 38th iCARE initiative aims to strengthen their efforts & enable them to pursue entrepreneurial growth in the villages of Karnataka. Our objective is to empower rural women with the confidence, resources and independence to shape their own future. At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we remain committed to building resilient communities by fostering entrepreneurship and creating opportunities that continue to make a long-term positive impact.”
Focus on Rural Entrepreneurship
Toyota Kirloskar Motor said the initiative is aligned with national development programmes and priorities including Viksit Bharat 2047, Skill India and women empowerment through rural entrepreneurship.
The company said its corporate social responsibility strategy is intended to complement government efforts by encouraging self-reliant communities, supporting environmentally conscious livelihoods and strengthening grassroots capabilities.
The latest programme also sought to move beyond one-time volunteering by leaving the SHG with equipment that could remain useful in its regular production activities.
For Krishikala, greater access to tools could help the women artisans meet demand more efficiently while creating opportunities to expand the business into neighbouring villages and involve additional members.
iCARE Programme Running Since 2017
TKM launched iCARE — short for I, Community Action to Reach Everyone — in 2017 as its flagship employee volunteerism programme.
The programme encourages Toyota employees and their families to contribute their time, skills and expertise to community projects.
Over the years, iCARE activities have been organised across several of the company’s CSR focus areas, including Education, Health & Hygiene, Environment, Skill Development, Road Safety and Disaster Management.
With its 38th iCARE initiative, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is placing the emphasis not merely on producing hundreds of handicrafts for a day, but on giving a women-led rural enterprise the tools to keep producing after the volunteers have gone home. The longer-term test will be whether such capacity-building support translates into stronger incomes, wider participation and more sustainable entrepreneurship at the village level.
