FICCI FLO Hyderabad Launches Pioneering Centre of Excellence for Women’s Empowerment

The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Hyderabad Chapter has taken a pioneering step by inaugurating the FLO Hyderabad Centre of Excellence (CoE), the first of its kind in the entire FLO network across 20 chapters in India. This visionary initiative was formally launched on Tuesday morning by Ms. Pinky Reddy, Past National President of FLO.

The Centre of Excellence, a long-cherished dream of FLO Hyderabad for the past 15 years, is now a reality. Spanning 2800 square feet in Banjara Hills, the heart of Hyderabad, it is designed as a transformative hub where women can acquire skills, knowledge, and opportunities to excel in their personal and professional journeys. With a focus on training, mentorship, and collaboration, the CoE aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for women to learn, grow, and lead. The Past Chairpersons' Council will oversee its operations.

Expressing her pride in this milestone, Ms. Reddy stated, “We have been talking about this for 15 years, and today, that dream has materialized. The Centre is the need of the hour, as it fosters expertise, promotes best practices, and drives innovation. This, in turn, enhances efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness, giving women a competitive edge in various sectors.”

FLO Hyderabad Chairperson, Priya Gazdar, in her opening remarks, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “Today marks a historic milestone for FLO Hyderabad. The FLO Hyderabad Centre of Excellence will serve as a premier platform for leadership enhancement, entrepreneurship development, and financial & digital empowerment. Through expert-led sessions, mentorship programs, and business incubation initiatives, it will benefit FLO & YFLO members. Simultaneously, for grassroots women, the Centre will offer job-readiness training, vocational programs, and financial and digital literacy. Beyond education, the CoE will also serve as the operational backbone of FLO Hyderabad.”

The state-of-the-art facility includes a training hall that can accommodate up to 60 participants, four administrative cubicles, and four cabins for committee meetings. Designed with impact in mind, the Centre features an ‘Achievement Wall’ showcasing evocative images from FLO’s landmark initiatives, including efforts to revive traditional weaves such as Gollabhama, Telia Rumal, Narayanpet, and Cheriyal Painting. Through these projects, FLO has positively impacted over 40,000 women and planted more than one lakh saplings. The Centre also displays images of pylons installed by FLO and honors past chairpersons on the ‘Meet the Visionaries’ wall.

A highlight of the Centre is its tribute to FLO Hyderabad’s signature initiative—India’s first women-led industrial park, now regarded as a global role model for women-led development. Additionally, the Centre showcases initiatives for 2024-25, including the MSME Schemes Ready Reckoner and three white papers focusing on:

1. Empowering women farmers through sustainable growth.

2. Expanding work opportunities for young urban women in slum areas.

3. Sustaining heritage weaves and handloom livelihoods in Siddipet, particularly for Gollabhama and Muthyamgadi artisans.

   
   

The FLO Hyderabad Centre of Excellence stands as a testament to FLO’s commitment to empowering women through knowledge, skills, and meaningful opportunities. By fostering a strong support system for women across various sectors, the Centre is set to redefine the landscape of women’s professional and personal development in India.