Work
Scaling the social & economic impact of Small, Powerful Groups
In January 2011, 13 women paused their lives in Glasgow and travelled to India to explore the aspirations, ideology and entrepreneurial vision of women's Self-Help Groups. This journey brought together women from diverse backgrounds but with shared experiences of economic struggle. In the villages and slums of Tamil Nadu, they found fellow women, ordinary in their appearance but powerhouses of a kind.
Organised in collectives called Self-Help Groups (SHGs), these Indian women had become changemakers and entrepreneurs in the face of grinding poverty. Through pooling their small savings, supporting each other, and building businesses together, their lives, families, communities and local economies had transformed dramatically. The women from Scotland witnessed a movement of over 10 million small groups making big changes - creating financial independence, building confidence, and challenging social norms.
Inspired and transformed, on their return, the Glaswegians couldn't hold back. They were determined to adapt what they had learned to the Scottish context. The first ever Self-Reliant Group (SRG) in the UK began in the Provanmill community of Glasgow in March 2011, with women coming together to save small amounts, support each other, and explore entrepreneurial ideas.
From this humble beginning, WEvolution was born - a movement dedicated to supporting Self-Reliant Groups across Scotland and beyond. Founded by Noel Mathias, who had organised the initial India trip, WEvolution established itself as a charity committed to fostering the growth of SRGs, providing training, mentorship, and spaces for groups to thrive.
Since then, the story of Self-Reliant Groups, now called Small Powerful Groups, has continued to unfold and capture the imagination of many. From crafting and catering to clothing and community services, these small, powerful groups have demonstrated that when people come together with purpose and mutual support, transformation is possible anywhere. Today, the movement spans across the UK, with hundreds of people finding new pathways to economic empowerment, friendship, and dignity through their involvement in this community.
flipping the learning
why the global south
how it evolved
The core principles
Logic framework
What feels essential to continue
maybe something about the 5 markers here..
Partnerships
There is no way WEvolution can build an incredible movement alone. We want to work closely with organisations whose values align with ours and have the capacity to deliver the Small, Powerful Group approach.
Microfinance
WeeStart Loans & Trust Money
DIY Small, Powerful Groups.
Training for individuals & organisations
Our impact
The experiences of WEvolution team in facilitating and supporting Small, Powerful Groups has been vital for us to understand what happens next, what the challenges and issues are, and how we can enhance our support to the Small, Powerful Groups we work alongside. Especially when we first started and only had two groups - we would use examples and stories from WEvo team and Small Powerful Groups in Scotland to add richness, and colour from lived experience of members.
Our funding partners
Funding Partners:
