Swayam Shikshan Prayog

Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) was founded in 1989 in Mumbai, India as a development women's organization facilitating self-education activities and networks of women initially in relation to issues of livelihoods, credit, and access to and management of resources in rural Maharashtrian communities. With a long term vision of supporting a movement where women's groups in poor rural areas are able to socially transform their communities, SSP helps women become a critical mass through inter-village and larger federated associations that control information, assets and represent constituencies.

Participant Profile: Upmanyu Patil (Associate Director -Programs)

Upmanyu has led Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP)’s pioneering effort in rural energy starting with the partnership with BP energy  leading to development of an advanced biofuel cook-stove and clean bio-fuel pellets, thereby reducing indoor pollution and improving women’s health and productivity. He went on to co-create a similar clean energy product for the rural markets with Godrej, named Chotukool. Currently, he is the Project Director of USAID/India’s wPOWER Program which has launched over 1,000 women entrepreneurs in Maharashtra and Bihar, he is also serving as Associate director -programs for SSP. His work has been recognized by the Sankalp - Global Cookstove Alliance Award for Innovation in Clean Cooking Solutions in 2013. He became a finalist for the 2014 International Ashden Awards.
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