In Agra, home to the world-famous Taj Mahal, 25 women are embarking on a new journey towards a more self-determined life. Many come from low-income families and have had few opportunities to build a livelihood of their own. The Taj City Rickshaws project gives them the chance to become visible as e-rickshaw drivers – on the streets of their city, in tourism and in a profession that has traditionally been dominated by men.
Located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra is one of India’s best-known travel destinations, with the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and other cultural landmarks attracting millions of visitors every year. At the same time, many women remain excluded from economic life or work under precarious conditions.
Together with ACCESS Development Services, the DERTOUR Foundation supports these women in building their own professional future. The project builds on the successful Pink City Rickshaw initiative in Jaipur and Lake City Rickshaws in Udaipur, bringing this proven model to Agra.
Twenty-five women receive comprehensive training. They learn how to drive and maintain e-rickshaws safely, complete first-aid training and strengthen their communication and customer service skills. The programme also includes training in financial literacy and entrepreneurial thinking. This equips the participants with skills that support them in everyday life, when interacting with guests and on their journey towards greater economic independence.
Twenty-five women receive comprehensive training. They learn how to drive and maintain e-rickshaws safely, complete first-aid training and strengthen their communication and customer service skills. The programme also includes training in financial literacy and entrepreneurial thinking. This equips the participants with skills that support them in everyday life, when interacting with guests and on their journey towards greater economic independence.
The project is about more than vocational training: it strengthens self-confidence, participation and responsibility. Selected participants receive targeted preparation for leadership and management roles, enabling them to take on responsibilities within the emerging social enterprise. As drivers and active contributors to the initiative, they become visible role models for other women in their city.
The project is about more than vocational training: it strengthens self-confidence, participation and responsibility. Selected participants receive targeted preparation for leadership and management roles, enabling them to take on responsibilities within the emerging social enterprise. As drivers and active contributors to the initiative, they become visible role models for other women in their city.
The DERTOUR Foundation funds 12 individually equipped e-rickshaws as well as the women’s training programme. It also supports the development of reliable local market and partnership structures. The aim is to establish a sustainable social enterprise that provides the women with long-term career prospects and opens up new opportunities for them in the tourism sector.
The project not only creates new jobs in Agra but also establishes structures that empower women in the long term. By combining training, economic participation and active involvement, it opens up prospects for the participants and their families that extend far beyond the duration of the project.
In future, DERTOUR guests will be able to experience Agra from a new perspective. The Taj City Rickshaws will take them to cultural sights, markets, culinary stops and special places where the city’s everyday life can be experienced first-hand. Personal encounters with the drivers make the tours authentic and offer insights into a project that empowers local women.
At the same time, the e-rickshaws contribute to more environmentally friendly mobility in urban areas. In this way, the project combines a distinctive travel experience with social impact and demonstrates how tourism can help create new opportunities for local people.
In future, DERTOUR guests will be able to experience Agra from a new perspective. The Taj City Rickshaws will take them to cultural sights, markets, culinary stops and special places where the city’s everyday life can be experienced first-hand. Personal encounters with the drivers make the tours authentic and offer insights into a project that empowers local women.
At the same time, the e-rickshaws contribute to more environmentally friendly mobility in urban areas. In this way, the project combines a distinctive travel experience with social impact and demonstrates how tourism can help create new opportunities for local people.
Learn more about our partner,
ACCESS Development Services, on our partner page.
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