6° Network for Women’s core objective is to create the right conditions for marginalised women to set up and run businesses in order to gain financial independence. We will achieve this by creating a risk free environment for them to take the first step, offer customised training toolkits and provide skills training, financial support, help create supportive networks within their communities and offer ongoing support and guidance.
To achieve these objectives, 6° Network offers the following services:
Discover our On-going and Completed Projects
6 Degrees is supporting a Barista training programme, that started in December 2023. This programme was initiated by our local partner SVSI with the mutual cooperation of Mirakunja Bufferzone and Riksja Travel.
The paper mill project aims to develop a business for the marginalised community in Chitwan by converting waste into paper products that can be sold as handicrafts, sustainable packaging and other products.
PROJECT ON HOLD | NOVEMBER 2023
We made the tough decision to stop the paper mill operations in its current form given the many challenges and problems we have faced over the past 6 months. We are now in the process of looking for other work for them.
Skills development is crucial for empowerment, improving livelihoods and encouraging entrepreneurship. Skills development enhances both people’s capacity to work and their opportunities to find suitable work. For this reason, we have set up an extensive skills development training programme to enable marginalised women to work successfully both for the Eco Village and the Eco Soap Factory.
The Chitwan eco soap making facility, a social enterprise project, aims to build a sustainable soap business for the Musahar community to supply locally produced organic soap to Chitwan tourist accommodations, souvenir shops and other local markets within Nepal. The Musahar women will learn how to grow organic herbs, make soap, eco-friendly packaging and be trained in basic business skills to help set up and run a viable business.
In consultation with SVSI, the local government in Chitwan and the Musahar community, a Women’s Farming Initiative has been set up, led by the Musahar women to train the Musahar how to grow vegetables.
A second project in partnership with Sapana Village Social Impact to provide driving, English, legal awareness, hospitality and vehicle maintenance training to uplift their socio-economic status in their community. The project will focus on women who live in the Ratnanagar and Kalika Municipalities. This project is completed in September 2022.
6° and Sapana Village Social Impact (SVSI) join hands to empower marginalised women from the Musahar communities in the Chitwan area. The poultry farm will help increase female labour participation in Chitwan and improve the economic and social status of marginalised women in Chitwan. The project completed in September 2022.
Despite a steady supply of vegetables from the farming project, there is a growing shortage of basic food supplies like rice and lentils and hygiene products. We have raised the targeted fund and have delivered the necessity supplies to the community.
‘When women progress, we all progress’
Our first Pay-it-Forward campaign was launched in October 2020. This campaign is part of our Pay-it-Forward principle where our graduates and candidates inspire other women to become part of the 6° movement.
Paying-it-Forward is all about getting an opportunity to improve your life and then giving back to other women, so they too can be inspired and empowered to take the first step.
The Chitwan Eco Village is our flagship concept that encompasses several of our projects into an integrated community based sustainable income generating initiative for marginalised communities in Chitwan. The Eco Village will include a paper mill, an eco soap studio and an organic farm.