Our Institute has framed the following project to provide sustainable source of livelihood for the deprived people of West Bengal, India. We are experimenting with a permanent solution to revive the weak economy and save the future generations from extreme poverty. The program is run according to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially the first MDG "Reduction in extreme Poverty and Hunger" and the second MDG "Promote Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women".
Description:
"Project SELF-HELP GROUP" is a long-term program initiated in the tribal-areas of West Bengal to train indigenous people in different sectors. Part of the program is the IPSCI (Indigenous People Micro Savings & Credit Initiative), where each self-help group opens a collective bank account for savings to gain more independence.
The savings will be used to establish small businesses. Vocational training (i.e. handloom, kantha, medicinal plant cultivation) will be given to the members of the selfhelp groups for further income generation. All products and processes are environment friendly.
Achievements:
Formation of Self-Help Group members in 2003
Projected Savings per year achieved
Formation of 24 SHGs with 500 Handicrafts Artisans of Bolpur Subdivision under Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hasta Shilpa Vikas Yojana of the Office of the DevelopmentCommissioner, Ministry of Textiles , Government of India. Further description is exposed in our "Press / Success Story" section.
Aikatan Self Help group achieves self-reliance.
We are the implementing agency for the National Minority Development & Finance Corporation’ MACCS programme under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Around 200 minority artisans are covered under the scheme.
Reports of the “Minority Artisan Composite Credit Scheme” sponsored by NATIONAL MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT & FINANCE CORPORATION (Govt of India Undertaking, Ministry of Minority Affairs)
