Recently, community organisations and social sector projects have undergone significant transformations due to changing environments, technological advancements, creativity and innovation. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are one example in India that plays a crucial role in income-generating activities across traditional industries such as handloom, handicrafts, food and local agricultural-based products. These groups have evolved from basic savings and microfinance entities to recognized platforms fostering entrepreneurship and viable small businesses. However, only a few SHGs can scale up and sustain their operations. Their products often rely on traditional designs, skills and knowledge due to a lack of product knowledge, product ideation and product development. SHGs can serve as shared platforms where members exchange ideas, fostering opportunities for learning and collaboration. Despite valuable experiential and indigenous wisdom within SHGs, significant knowledge gaps persist due to top-down design processes that overlook local context, culture and member skills. To bridge this knowledge gap and maximize SHGs’ potential in income-generating activities, it is essential to empower members and enhance their skills. This involves moving beyond one-sided training programs and encouraging SHG members to identify their needs and strengths in product development. For this, knowledge sharing becomes a critical factor in addressing these challenges and empowering SHGs for improved income generation. Recent transformations in community organisations and social sector projects are attributed to technological advancements and a shift towards innovation. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India, key in promoting income-generating activities, face challenges in scaling and sustaining their operations due to limited product knowledge and innovation. SHGs provide platforms for idea exchange, but knowledge gaps persist. This paper explores participatory design in knowledge sharing to empower SHG members and enhance their skills, enabling innovation. Using a case study from Kamrup, Assam, the paper examines how participatory design can address SHGs’ challenges in product development.