Empowerment

Project Empowerment, the third component under ShramA is focused on elevating the lives of construction workers by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to improve their socio-economic status. It draws in from the information built through ‘inclusion’ and ‘dignity’ components and designs programs for empowering the shramiks.

Through comprehensive training programs, financial literacy workshops, and skills development sessions, the project aims to empower workers to take control of their futures, ensuring that they are recognised for their contributions to the construction industry and equipped to thrive within it.

The workshops have been travelling all over covering 8 cities till January 2025. It is not only the lives of the shramiks that we nudge, but also inculcate empathy among students and professionals, through collaborating on the workshops.

This initiative is primarily supported by Saint-Gobain, with local partners joining hands in each city.

ShramA Empowerment
Please write to us, at shrama@ethosfoundation.in
for suggestions, and if you are interested in hosting any workshops as partners, and contributing to bringing change to the lives of The Hands That Build.

Empowerment through Financial Literacy and Skill Development

Mumbai and Pune, 2025

The Arcause ShramA Empowerment Workshops continued in Mumbai on 21st January at Earth Enclave, Girgaon (supported by Mace Group and Access Architects) and in Pune on 22nd January at The Cliff Garden, Hinjewadi (hosted by TCG Real Estate and Sustainability Initiatives by VK Architects). Both workshops engaged 50 participants each in financial literacy and skill development sessions, fostering dialogue and empowering workers with actionable insights. 533 surveyed shramiks’ stories were showcased, sparking critical discussions and inspiring participants to build a more inclusive construction community.

ShramA is in Gujarat this year

Ahmedabad, January 2025

ShramA made its debut in Gujarat this year with an Empowerment Workshop in Ahmedabad on 3rd January 2025, hosted at SAL School of Architecture. This first-of-its-kind session in the state saw participation from over 50 construction workers, along with students, professionals, and representatives from IIA Ahmedabad Centre, SAL School of Architecture, and GICEA. The event featured Financial Literacy and Skill Development sessions, a ShramA-Q quiz for shramiks, and an exhibition of ShramA Fellowship insights. A short play by SAL students, depicting the lives of construction workers, moved many to tears. The guest shramiks applauded the students for capturing their experiences so accurately, expressing that they felt heard and seen.

Five Empowerment Sessions in Maharashtra

Cities in Maharashtra, November 2024 – January 2025

The Arcause ShramA Empowerment Workshops have successfully completed five impactful sessions across Maharashtra—Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune—with over 200 shramiks participating. The workshops featured Financial Literacy, CPR Training, Drawing Literacy, and Skill Development sessions, addressing critical aspects of workers’ well-being and professional growth. Each session saw enthusiastic collaboration from IIA Chapters, local architecture colleges, and faculty members, reinforcing ShramA’s vision of fostering empathy and connection between architects and the “Hands that Build.” The active participation of students and young professionals enabled future stakeholders to engage meaningfully with the realities of the construction workforce.

Skill Upgradation Workshop with Lucknow Architects Association

Lucknow, May 2024

Ethos Foundation, in partnership with the Lucknow Architects Association and AKTU’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning, hosted an upskilling workshop on Lime Restoration for construction workers. The event featured an enlightening seminar and hands-on demonstrations at Qaiserbagh, immersing participants in traditional restoration techniques. To engage the shramiks from various parts of Lucknow and India, an interactive exhibition of the ShramA Pilot was also displayed.
This was followed by ShramA-Q, a lively quiz testing participants’ knowledge. The workshop concluded with shramiks and students nurturing a deeper appreciation for heritage conservation.

Empowerment Seminar with PSG-IAP and Ar Murali

Coimbatore, August 2024

On August 17, 2024, Arcause ShramA, hosted by Ethos Foundation in collaboration with Murali Architects and PSG Institute of Architecture and Planning, organized an empowerment session in Coimbatore. Construction workers from The Harvee School project shared their expertise with second-year architecture students through hands-on demonstrations of brickwork, plastering, and other techniques. The event fostered practical learning and honored the workers’ contributions, highlighting the importance of valuing on-site knowledge in the construction field.

Financial and Drawing Literacy Workshops

Mumbai and Pune, March 2024

Empowerment workshops in Mumbai and Pune were tailored to meet the needs of construction workers, covering essential topics like financial management, budgeting, and savings. Participants also learned to read architectural drawings and models, enhancing their professional skills.
An interactive display, informed by the Inclusion Survey, showcased vital data on migration patterns, access to amenities, working hours, gender disparity, accident awareness, income, and resource rights. These exhibits emphasized understanding and supporting the construction workforce.

The Financial Literacy workshop was facilitated by Mr Amogh Gothoskar- a Financial Literacy Evangelist, from Hermony, an organisation that helps people bridge the gap in financial management. The Drawing Literacy sessions were conducted by SJK Architects, Mumbai.

The events were hosted by our partner institutes – Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai and Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture, Pune. The successful participation of a diverse group of construction workers were ensured by our supporting partner organisation Jansahas.

 

Please write to us, at shrama@ethosfoundation.in
for suggestions, and if you are interested in hosting any workshops as partners, and contributing to bringing change to the lives of The Hands That Build.

What the participants say

“Learned valuable financial strategies, excited to start using them.”

Om Prakash, Shramik

“I feel confident to take better jobs after this session.”

Annapurna Sahu, Shramik