self help groups

People take initiatives to organise themselves around common interests in order to assure improved access to resources and services. The project encourages such initiatives whenever they are within the common objectives.

The implementation of non-land based livelihood support activities are taken up through self help groups / thrift groups and user groups representing the marginalised sections of the community and women.

The Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ thrift groups and user groups prepare action plans for non land-based development activities; supervise the execution of non land-based development activities; manage funds for non land-based development activities; and develop and foster links with other resource organisations. They are often the only means by which village women can gain access to credit without paying exorbitant rates of interest to local money lenders. Most SHGs are part of a federated structure, which enables them to share information and facilitates access to bank loans.