How an Art Installation is Empowering Local Communities in Bengaluru, India.
Recognized by the Anthem Awards, the Alli Serona initiative empowers informal sector workers in Bengaluru’s low-carbon shift.
Destiny Davis, Digital Marketing & PR Lead · 3 Minute Read Time
The Alli Serona Initiative: Empowering India’s Informal Workforce
A World Bank report states that up to 75% of India’s workforce depends on heat-exposed labor, often working in life-threatening temperatures. This largely comprises the informal workforce, including domestic helpers, street vendors, waste pickers, construction laborers, and more. Heat-exposed work contributes to nearly half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making access to reliable public transportation a necessity—especially for those who endure extreme temperatures daily.
Alli Serona is a community-led initiative working towards a just and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy in Bengaluru, the capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. At its core, the initiative focuses on elevating the voices of informal sector workers who play a crucial role in the city’s economy but are often excluded from urban planning and sustainability efforts. By engaging policymakers, local organizations, and the informal workforce, Alli Serona fosters systemic change through advocacy, community mobilization, and creative interventions.
The Meaning Behind ‘Alli Serona’
The name Alli Serona is deeply rooted in the initiative’s mission. Meaning “meeting points” or “coming together” in Kannada, Alli Serona symbolizes the collective power of informal sector workers in shaping their urban future. It represents the effort to create inclusive spaces where these workers, who often feel invisible, can gather, share their experiences, and advocate for change.
The name was chosen through a collaborative process involving workshops and discussions with the community, ensuring that it resonated with those it aimed to represent. This co-created identity fosters a strong sense of belonging and pride among participants, reinforcing the idea that a just transition to a low-carbon economy must be community-led.
The Bus Stop: An Art Installation Bringing Stories to the Streets
One of Ali Serona’s most significant projects, The Bus Stop, serves as a public engagement platform that transforms transportation access into an issue of social justice. With public transport being a major barrier for many workers, Alli Serona has championed the need for better infrastructure by creating a mobile art installation that invites participation from all stakeholders—workers, decision-makers, and the general public alike.
The Bus Stop is more than just an art piece; it is a moving public engagement platform. Designed with input from informal workers themselves, this installation travels across Bengaluru’s neighborhoods, showcasing personal stories, creative exhibits, and interactive features that invite the public to learn about the challenges of transportation access, economic stability, and urban inclusion.
Engaging the Public Through Art and Advocacy
The Bus Stop achieves its impact through three main strategies:
- Policy Advocacy Through Public Engagement: The installation serves as a space where informal workers share their stories directly with policymakers and city officials, highlighting their daily struggles with transportation and mobility.
- Community Storytelling and Capacity Building: Through on-site discussions, digital storytelling, and interactive elements, informal workers gain confidence and skills to articulate their needs and participate in local governance discussions.
- Transforming Public Spaces for Awareness: By positioning The Bus Stop in high-traffic urban areas, the project engages commuters, students, and city planners in conversations about equitable city planning and sustainable mobility solutions.
Results & Impact
The Bus Stop has made a significant and measurable impact in its first year, including:
- 200+ women actively involved in storytelling and advocacy efforts.
- 55+ media features across English, Kannada, and Tamil outlets, amplifying the campaign’s reach.
- 19 decision-makers engaged to support improved transportation access.
- Approval of 3 out of 5 proposed new bus routes, directly improving mobility options.
- 25,000+ families benefiting from enhanced public transport infrastructure.
One of the biggest victories has been the growing recognition of informal workers as key stakeholders in city planning. Government officials have started incorporating their feedback into transportation projects, improving access to affordable and reliable commuting options.
Anthem Award Recognition
The Bus Stop’s impact has been recognized with an Anthem Award in the Sustainability, Environment & Climate – Community Outreach category. This honor affirms the initiative’s success in bridging art, advocacy, and community participation to drive meaningful change.
As Purpose and Alli Serona continue expanding The Bus Stop’s reach, the project remains a beacon of innovation in urban advocacy—proving that creative, public-facing initiatives can be powerful tools for equity and sustainability.
View the incredible team behind this award-winning project here and learn more in the campaign video below: