Apr 2025
Buzz Women: A Green Revolution Rooted in Local Solutions
In villages across Karnataka, women are rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship—blending financial independence with environmental stewardship. At the heart of this shift is Buzz Women, a not-for-profit that equips women with the knowledge, skills, and networks to build thriving, climate-conscious livelihoods.
Through Buzz Green, a capacity-building programme that fosters climate awareness and local action, women are finding simple, practical ways to tackle climate challenges right at home. They are adopting climate-smart technologies, managing natural resources sustainably, and building livelihoods that not only benefit entire communities but also regenerate their local ecosystems. These aren’t large-scale, distant solutions—they’re everyday changes led by women and rooted in the places they call home.
For many, the journey with Buzz Women begins with the Spoorthi Fellowship. This six-month training programme transforms volunteer leaders—Anchor Women—into catalysts for change. Through the fellowship, they build confidence, sharpen their communication skills, and develop practical problem-solving abilities. More than just training, it’s a space where leadership takes root. These women go on to form Buzz Beehives—close-knit collectives where they support each other in entrepreneurship, climate action, and creating lasting change within their communities. These collectives become the backbone of Buzz Green.
Through this programme, hundreds of women are embracing eco-preneurship. They receive training in sustainable farming, organic waste management, and environmentally conscious business models, enabling them to turn everyday resources into sources of income.
Pillamma, one such leader, had a vision: sustainable agriculture that benefits her entire village. Despite not owning land herself, she identified 20 women who did and guided them in organic farming techniques. She introduced them to composting, encouraged them to use vegetable peels as manure, and taught them to recycle water from daily chores to irrigate their fields. Under her mentorship, women in her self-help group now grow beans, brinjal (aubergine), okra, coriander, and mint—all while saving an average of Rs. 200 per week.
Saravari Begum faced scepticism from her in-laws and society at large when she set out to start a scrap collection business. Yet, undeterred, she built a thriving enterprise, supplying local recycling units and factories. Sujatha, empowered by the training she received from Buzz Women, recognised a gap in the market and launched a business producing organically grown, chemical-free natural oils.
Across Karnataka, over 62% of women trained under Buzz Women now grow their own food, reducing household expenses and generating additional revenue. Nearly 78% have reported an increase in financial independence—an impact that extends far beyond individual households and into entire communities.
Scaling impact does not mean expanding organisations; it means creating ecosystems where every woman has the opportunity to thrive. When financial literacy, leadership training, and climate-conscious business practices become deeply embedded in communities, they are no longer exceptions—they become the norm. Buzz Women and its initiatives like Buzz Green are laying the foundation for a future where women aren’t just driving change—they are the architects of it.