SVEP is based on the premise that once a programme is implemented and withdrawn, the social capital (institutions, structures, people, infrastructure, etc.) created will work cohesively and sustain in the long-term.
Exit means withdrawal of BPM-SVEP and Mentor from the block. The strategy for withdrawing from a block depends on certain factors, such as understanding whether the community is self-sufficient enough to take over the ownership of the project and whether the community realizes the importance of the project in promoting entrepreneurship, thus creating local economic development.
Hence, while planning to exit a block after four years, it is important to assess pertinent aspects such as
- Have the community institutions and people resources developed capacities to manage and own the project on their own?
- Are the required processes in place and functioning well?
- Is BRC-EP working well?
- Has BRC-EP developed capacities to converge with other local institutions?
- Is BRC-EP able to conceive and initiate new initiatives for strengthening entrepreneurship in the block?
What steps to take to finalize the exit strategy?
- Organize a block assessment on the basis of the status of the block at the end of the third year.
- After the block assessment is complete, initiate a joint workshop of the SRLM and the PIA at the beginning of the fourth year.
Indicative points of agenda for this workshop
- Readiness in the block: Check the readiness by discussing the result of the block assessment conducted in the block.
- Plan on the capacity building activities: Plan the activities for the block in the last year on the basis of the block assessment.Capacity building activities can include refresher training for CRPs-EP and BEPC on business management, PTS and consultancy, project monitoring, etc.
- Plan on managing CEF: Prepare a plan on CEF management to ensure smooth functioning of activities such as proper utilization of CEF and proper monitoring of the system mentioned in SVEP for appraising and releasing CEF loans and ensuring repayment of the loan.
- Handing over: Prepare a plan for handing over resources, including all training materials, data of enterprises, reports, etc., to the BRC-EP so that the knowledge developed in the block is maintained and available for future reference.
- Plan an orientation: Prepare a plan on orientation for DMMU and BMMU staff on their roles and responsibilities post-exit.
- Draft a policy: Prepare a policy clearly mentioning the course of action of the BRC-EP with respect to terms of payment to be made to CRPs-EP for their services from BRC-EP and entrepreneurs; management of CEF; interest earned on CEF; and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders post-exit.
What level of maturity is expected from different stakeholders at the end of each year in the project lifecycle?
Check the level of capability at the end of each year by conducting a block assessment exercise.
Based on the findings of the block assessment, plan and organize relevant capacity- building interventions to help the particular stakeholder reach the desired level of maturity.
In the table below, the first column indicates the level of maturity stakeholders (BEPC, CRP-EP, and CBO) need to have at the end of the fourth year or at the time of exit. Subsequent columns trace back and show the milestones at the end of each year.