Rationale behind developing the guide
The idea behind SVEP implementation was to pilot the development of a much-enhanced ecosystem for rural entrepreneurship that can facilitate the women SHG members, promoted under NRLM, to take up better livelihood options through non-farm interventions.
NRLM conducted a mid-term evaluation of the SVEP in 2018-19. The evaluation showed that SVEP has been able to demonstrate encouraging results. Hence, as an expansion strategy, NRLM suggested that all SRLMs adopt the SVEP model for non-farm interventions in their non-SVEP blocks.
Kudumbashree NRO, being a recognized National Resource Organization (NRO) for SVEP, is expected to develop resources that will help SRLMs and NRLM in expanding the programme. Kudumbashree NRO has provided implementation support in 66 blocks across 11 states under SVEP.
Based on their engagement with the states, Kudumbashree NRO reckons that some issues may affect the expansion of SVEP. These issues are mentioned below.
- Employee turnover or rotation in the SRLMs/NROs
Many field staff placed by the SRLMs / NROs leave or get rotated across the roles over the period. As a result of the rotations, knowledge acquired is often misplaced or lost.
- New staff or PIA struggle in the early days
Most of the Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs) selected by NRLM are new in this area and face hurdles during the early days of implementation. The same applies to any new staff placed by the SRLMs or NRO/PIA.
- Availability of a few documents on SVEP
Only a few documents, such as the Master Circular for SVEP and draft guidelines for CEF, CRP-EP, and BRC, provide details on SVEP.
Kudumbashree NRO, therefore, thought of leveraging its experience to prepare this document to provide more information on the implementation of SVEP.