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Women’s Development Volunteer Project abroad

A volunteer project in India working with female artisans and entrepreneurs to help them gain skills, market and launch their products and services and improve their livelihoods.

Location: Bangalore, India

Duration: 6-12 weeks

This Internship is For: International Undergraduates, Recent Graduates, Sabbatical, GAP Year, Travelers Who Want to Make an Impactful Contribution to India, Those Looking to Learn from the Female Entrepreneurship Industry in India


I helped three Indian Muslim women improve their product marketing and felt their excitement and joy in starting their own business. My time in India was meaningful thanks to them.
— Michelle, Toronto

Volunteer Abroad in India with Women’s Development Day to Day Tasks

A 6 to 12 Week Volunteer Abroad Project in India working with female entrepreneurs. Learn about the opportunities and challenges that Indian women overcome in starting their own businesses to gain financial independence and improve their livelihoods. Female entrepreneurship remains one of India’s greatest untapped assets with women business owners missing out on everything from micro-finance to venture capital money and resources. This volunteer program in India allows international volunteers to share their skills in entrepreneurship to help build stronger startup ecosystems in India.

Through this internship you will get involved in

  • Education and Skills Development Workshops for women

  • Research on market linkage

  • Assisting female entrepreneurs with product and service development and marketing

  • Content creation for female startups

  • Developing case studies for quarterly and annual impact reports

  • Interviewing and focus groups with female entrepreneurs


A Day in the Life of a Women’s Development Volunteer in India

Volunteer Voices

Meghan, a volunteer from the United States, volunteered abroad in India with Leave UR Mark to help create more awareness about menstrual health and women's education.

7:30 AM: Breakfast and Get Ready

8:30 AM: Catch a tuk-tuk, walk or metro to your internship

9:00 AM-12:30 PM: Arrive at your Internship and head over to the local female business incubator

12:30 PM-1:15 PM: Go out for a South Indian lunch with other interns or coworkers

1:15 PM-3:30 PM: Create marketing campaigns for women businesses

3:30 PM: Catch a tuktuk to a local cafe to meet up with local friends or other international interns for coffee

5:30 PM: Watch a classical South Indian dance performance at the theater

7:30 PM: Dinner at a rooftop cafe in the city with other interns and local friends

10 PM: Sleep and rest for the next day at your internship


Program Fees: $595 USD + 18% Tax

What’s Included:

  • Pre-Departure Support: health, culture, safety training and packing, flight and airport pickup guidance

  • Visa Invitation Letter to India (if needed)

  • Airport Pickup and Drop Off in India

  • Welcome Lunch with Community Manager and Other Interns

  • A Walking tour of immediate neighborhood and downtown Bangalore city

  • In-Country Orientation

  • Introductions to Project, and co-workers

  • 24/7 support for health and safety

  • Guidance on Cultural Activities and Weekend Trips

  • Reference letter and resume review post internship completion

What’s Not Included:

  • Flights

  • Visa

  • Travel Insurance

  • Housing

  • Food

  • Transportation

  • All other expenses for shopping, activities or weekend trips


Housing, Food, Transport & Location

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Housing

Our international volunteers and interns come from a variety of different backgrounds. Accordingly, we have identified a handful of great housing options during your time abroad. From coliving apartments where you share common spaces with young professionals to homestays and serviced apartments, we can help you choose a housing option that's close to your placement and according to your lifestyle.

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Food

Your first welcome meal is on us! After that, depending on your housing arrangement, you may cook meals, eat out or have an in-house cook who prepares breakfast and dinner. Most volunteers/interns like to eat out with their co-workers during lunch as well as on the weekends when they are often traveling.

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Transportation

Depending on where your placement is in relation to your housing, you may choose to walk, take an auto rickshaw, Uber or Ola app, or a bus to work everyday. We generally recommend volunteers stay no more than 30 minutes away from workplace in order to reduce commute times. Our team will help orient you to the transportation system in your first few days so that you feel comfortable to try it on your own.

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Location

Our programs take place in southern India in a small tech city called Bangalore (Bengaluru). We love living and working here due to the ease of English, incredibly progressive attitude, tons of non-profits, amazing variety of restaurants and cultural activities and close proximity to weekend trips like Kerala, Goa, Hampi and Coorg.


After Work Cultural Activities for International Volunteers

Immerse yourself in the bustling city life and cultural heritage of india with the modern luxuries of a thriving metropolitan city.

Cooking classes to learn to make a variety of vegan Indian dishes

Language classes to learn the Bangalore Kannada vernacular dialect

Dance classes to learn classical Indian dances such as Odissi, Kathak and more

Yoga classes to learn an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety and improve health and fitness

Facts About the Women Entrepreneurship in India

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Out of 434 Million working age women in India, 343 Million are not paid.


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Women graduates are 3.5 times more likely than their male counterparts to be unemployed.


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By 2030, India’s working-age population will surpass an unprecedented 1 billion, and up to 400 million women’s economic potential may be left unaddressed


Weekend Trips

We organize weekend trips for international volunteers around Southern India. You can go houseboating in Kerala, rickshaw through the ruins of Hampi, bask on the golden beaches of Goa, trek through the jungles of Coorg, cafe hop through the French Quarter of Pondicherry, or marvel at the palaces of Mysore.

Kerala

Kerala

Pondicherry

Pondicherry

Goa

Goa

Hampi

Hampi

Coorg

Coorg

Mysore

Mysore


To learn more about volunteering abroad, please fill out the form below. We will get back to you within 48 hours.