Coca-Cola Nepal launches 2nd phase of Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Programme

KATHMANDU: Coca-Cola Nepal has announced the second phase of the Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Programme, a pioneering initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs across Nepal.

Saksham, a collaboration between Coca-Cola Nepal and Atelier Platform, launched on 8 March 2022, has empowered and trained over 2,000 women throughout Nepal to date and aims to equip women with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Chandrika Kalia, Country Director for Coca-Cola in Nepal, stated, "We are thrilled to continue our journey with the Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Programme into its second phase, further empowering women entrepreneurs in Nepal. At Coca-Cola, we believe in creating opportunities that foster innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Through initiatives like Saksham, we aim to not only support budding entrepreneurs but also contribute to the economic and social development of the country. We are excited to witness the transformative impact these women will have on their communities and industries."

After a comprehensive review and selection phase, the 2024 programme commenced with an orientation session on May 31, 2024. This was followed by expert sessions on feminist leadership, company legalities, access to finance, and the circular economy. The two-month programme includes bi-weekly expert-led sessions on various topics such as gender rights, leadership, climate change, legal processes, marketing, and finance.

This year's cohort features 10 exceptional women selected from over 40 applicants, representing sectors including agriculture, hydroponics, mental health, cultural heritage promotion, technology, and more. The 2024 Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Programme finalists include Archana Shrestha (Hisi C), Indu Shrestha (Putali Nepal), Luniva Shakya & Co (Re-Up Studio), Pratima Basyal & Co (Pasa – Napa), Rachana Poudel (Vermicast Organics), Roji Maharjan (Project Green Circle), Sabina Chaudhary (Zaika-e-Kathmandu), Sushmita Paudel & Co (Eco Revive), Shreya Malla & Co (Pal), and Shreya Chochchhe (Chochchhe). These finalists are set to transform their innovative ideas into impactful ventures with the support of dedicated mentors and comprehensive resources.

The Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Programme is a key element of Coca-Cola Nepal’s Women Empowerment initiative, established to promote business equality for women in Nepal. The accelerator programme is part of the broader Saksham Programme which was launched in 2022 with a vision to build the capacity of micro and small-scale women entrepreneurs in and outside Kathmandu Valley to enhance their knowledge as entrepreneurs and to build their capacity for growth and innovation. By 2023, it had created a unique and common platform for over 2,000 women to learn from fellow retailers and share challenges and insights to run their businesses more efficiently and effectively.

This year, Coca-Cola Nepal will continue the third year of the Saksham programme across the country to connect with another 1,000 women from the value chain. Coca-Cola, in partnership with Bottlers Nepal Ltd, continues to support female retailers and small restaurant owners through training in financial literacy, hospitality management, and sanitation.