Participatory Training
Women Sharing Experiences
Female Cotton Farmers
Community Issue Prioritisation
Gram Sabha Victory
Trainee Certification
Factory Women Workforce
Building confidence,
creating leaders
The P.A.C.E. programme equips women with essential cognitive, social, and professional skills to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and agency. It provides a sustainable pathway out of poverty by increasing livelihood options, entrepreneurial competitiveness, and capacity for civic participation.
Since 2014, HBT has been the implementing partner in India — reaching women across urban slums, rural farming communities, tribal villages, factory floors, and disaster-affected zones across Odisha, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
The programme operates at three levels: Competency building through structured modules, Confidence through peer group formation and leadership, and Capacity Enhancement through enterprise and vocational linkages.
Competency
Structured module-based cognitive and life skills training
Confidence
Peer leadership, group formation and community voice
Capacity Enhancement
Enterprise, vocational linkages and supply chains
Programme Journey
Four pillars aligned to
Global Goals (SDGs)
Every dimension of the P.A.C.E. approach directly advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals — making local community action a measurable contribution to global ambition.
Community-Based Learning
Training delivered within communities by certified facilitators — meeting women where they live, ensuring cultural relevance across rural, tribal, and urban-poor settings.
Advances SDG 4 through inclusive life skills modules and SDG 5 through gender-transformative training. Reaching marginalised women in underserved areas directly contributes to SDG 10.
Workplace Integration
Life skills modules embedded into factory and workplace settings — enabling women workers in apparel, manufacturing, and services to grow without leaving their livelihood.
Directly advances SDG 8 (decent work) by strengthening career readiness. 275 formal job placements demonstrate progress on SDG 1 through sustained income pathways.
Context-Specific Curriculum
Modules for urban, rural, tribal, and disaster-affected women — agricultural training advances SDG 2; eco-farming and vermicomposting align with SDG 12 & 13.
Agricultural modules (mushroom, vegetable, dairy) advance SDG 2. Eco-farming aligns with SDG 12 & 13. Building community resilience in disaster-prone zones supports SDG 11.
Inclusive Participation
Prioritising PVTG communities, mining-displaced families, domestic workers, and GBV survivors — ensuring no woman is left behind.
80% GBV reduction advances SDG 5 & 16. WASH and counselling modules support SDG 3. Multi-sector partnerships embody SDG 17.
P.A.C.E. SDG Alignment Matrix
| SDG | P.A.C.E. Approach | Programme Activity | Measured Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDG 1 · No Poverty | Workplace integration & enterprise | Nano businesses, job placement, SHG linkages | 86 businesses; 275 jobs placed |
| SDG 2 · Zero Hunger | Context-specific agricultural modules | Mushroom, vegetable, dairy, vermicomposting training | 390 agri-entrepreneurs |
| SDG 3 · Good Health | Inclusive participation + WASH module | Hygiene, water purification, family planning, counselling | 268 improved WASH; 86 family planning adopters |
| SDG 4 · Quality Education | Community-based learning | Certified modules; RSETI; DDU-GKY vocational | 38,000+ women trained |
| SDG 5 · Gender Equality | All four pillars | Leadership groups, GBV reduction, governance participation | 80% GBV reduction; 156 leaders |
| SDG 6 · Clean Water | WASH curriculum | Water source renovation in 7 villages (Sundargarh) | 7 village water sources renovated |
| SDG 8 · Decent Work | Workplace integration | Apparel, healthcare training; SHG; supply chain | 2,500 linked to finance institutions |
| SDG 10 · Reduced Inequalities | Community + inclusive approach | Reaching PVTGs, tribal & mining-affected women | 6 districts incl. tribal zones |
| SDG 16 · Peace & Justice | Inclusive participation | GBV reduction training; Gram Sabha participation | 156 leaders in governance |
| SDG 17 · Partnerships | Multi-sector delivery | Govt (MCL, DPDS), Corporate (Gap, NTPC), Networks | 8+ partnerships across 3 states |
Building a cadre of
certified trainers
P.A.C.E. invests in a two-tier trainer certification system — ensuring quality, consistency, and scalability of life skills delivery across all communities. Trainers are the backbone of programme reach and sustainability.
Master-Level Certification — Highest Tier
- Certified to deliver all 6 P.A.C.E. modules independently
- Lead facilitation for community & enterprise cohorts
- Mentors and quality supervisors for Silver trainers
- Can certify and assess other trainers
Practitioner-Level — Frontline Community Trainers
- Conduct module-based sessions with women groups
- Eligible for Gold certification via advanced assessment
- Supported and supervised by Gold master trainers
- First point of contact for community learning
Trainers
Ratio
Trainers
per Trainer
Six certified life skill modules
Each module is participatory, culturally contextualised, and delivered by trained community facilitators for maximum engagement and retention.
Year-by-year reach 2017–2024
Since 2017, the P.A.C.E. programme has reached over 38,000 women, expanding across multiple districts in Odisha and extending to other states through government and corporate partnerships.
Impact across communities
Deep-dive outcomes from the two major district-level implementations — demonstrating tangible change in livelihoods, health, leadership, and community governance.
- ›35 mushroom entrepreneurs, 50 vegetable growers, 3 floriculture, 1 grocery, 1 tailoring
- ›Producer groups: Kardola mushroom (32), Gobindpali vegetable (15), Satupali dairy (30), Gadamunda terracotta (20)
Developed
Groups
- ›45 bank accounts opened
- ›135 women with savings plans
- ›7 SHGs with bookkeeping support
Plans
Supported
- ›8 leadership groups formed, 240 members
- ›80 leaders cascading training to peers
Leaders
Members
- ›268 women improved water purification & menstrual hygiene
- ›30 adopted family planning
WASH
Planning
- ›300 nano entrepreneurs: 250 mushroom, 20 vegetable, 20 badi/pappad, 4 grocery, 4 vending, 2 tailoring
- ›4 SHGs adopted IGA: phenyl making, spices, mushroom cultivation
Entrepreneurs
Groups
- ›76 leaders participating in village governance meetings
- ›4 women enrolled in DDU-GKY vocational training
Leaders
Enrolled
- ›Women groups renovated drinking water in 7 villages: Kutabaga, Kendidihi, Panchapedi, Tumajor, Sitamunda, Kodbahal, Modipada
Water Renovated
- ›Manoharpur fish farming (10 members)
- ›Manoharpur nursery (10 members)
- ›Kiripsira kendu leaves (20 members)
Members
Change beyond numbers
Qualitative and systemic change that extends far beyond programme metrics — reshaping women’s roles in families, economies, and governance.
Personal Transformation
- Improved self-esteem, confidence, and assertiveness
- Better communication and negotiation with officials
- Stronger emotional resilience and psychosocial wellbeing
- Improved entrepreneurial skills and independent decision-making
Social & Community Impact
- Active participation in Gram Sabha and Palli Sabha
- Women speaking out against domestic and gender-based violence
- Peer support networks across villages
- More gender-neutral attitudes in farming ownership and decisions
Economic Empowerment
- 86 nano business units set up by trained women
- 275 women placed in formal sector jobs
- 4,000+ trained in financial literacy
- Collective bargaining strength via producer groups and SHGs
Health & Wellbeing
- Improved WASH: water purification, menstrual hygiene, sanitation
- Better family and community health through behaviour change
- 80% decrease in gender-based violence in project areas
- Increased awareness of family planning and reproductive health
A multi-sector ecosystem
P.A.C.E. operates through a strong web of government, corporate, and civil society partnerships — ensuring resources, legitimacy, and scale.
- District Administration, Sambalpur
- District Administration, Sundargarh
- District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Sundargarh
- Sundargarh District Periphery Development Society (SDPDS)
- RSETI (Skill Training Partner)
- DDU-GKY (Vocational Training)
- Gap Inc. (Founding Partner)
- Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL)
- NTPC
- AkzoNobel India
- Ram’s Assorted Pvt. Ltd.
- FICCI Ladies Organisation
- Scale to Kalamati & Kugunderpur panchayats (2,500 women)
- Scale to Laikira, Kanica, Tumulia, Balinga & Duduka (4,500 women)
- Partnership with KVK for entrepreneur handholding
- Producer group formation completion
Our Vision
“We envision a future where women are confident decision-makers, economic contributors, and community leaders — driving resilient and equitable societies.”
Humara Bachpan Trust | Every Woman. Every Right. Every Opportunity.
Be part of the movement
Join us in empowering women through transformational life skills.