Lakshadweep, one among the seven union territories of India is a group 36 islands located in the south western coast of India. There are ten inhabited islands among these 36 islands. Lakshadweep population identify close to Keralites due to the similarity in culture, language and also because of the proximity to a main-land. In 2016, the Department of Rural Development, Lakshadweep has approached Kudumbashree NRO for providing technical support in the institution building and capacity building activities under DAY-NRLM.

The MoU between Lakshadweep and Kudumbashree-National Resource Organization was signed in the month of April 2017 to provide technical support for implementing the DAY-NRLM project. The interventions in Lakshadweep revolved around formation and streamlining of Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs), formation of NHG federations, developing trained community cadre, strengthening NHGs and its federations to engage with PRIs and to create or promote livelihood interventions through the NHG networks. 

Kudumbashree NRO provided technical support to the Lakshadweep Rural Livelihood Mission in implementing the DAY-NRLM project in three phases from the year 2017. The project was implemented in all the ten inhabited islands in a phase-wise manner.  The details are given below. 

Objectives of the partnership

The primary focus of the partnership was to create institutions under DAY-NRLM and to provide support in doing the initial institution-building and capacity-building activities prescribed under the DAY-NRLM programme. The major objectives of the partnership are as follows: 

• To provide technical support for forming Self Help Groups and their federations under DAY-NRLM
• To develop trained community cadre to carry out the DAY-NRLM activities 
• To provide initial guidance to the CBO network to work with local governments and to engage in livelihood enhancement activities

The extension of the MoU was signed in January 2018, with the project period extended until June 2018. The activities conducted during this phase included:

• Establishing Partnership: A recce visit was made to the Union Territory to assess the ground situation, followed by the formal signing of the MoU. A strategy-setting workshop was conducted to outline the project’s goals and methodologies.
• Identification of Community Resource Persons (CRPs): CRPs were identified through mobilizing the local population at the ward level. Once identified, CRPs underwent orientation and capacity-building sessions to equip them with the necessary skills for their roles. 
• Training of Community Resource Persons: The CRPs received training on the DAY-NRLM framework, institutional building strategies, and techniques for streamlining the existing Self-Help Groups (SHGs), focusing on adherence to the Dasasutra principles. 
• Ward Level Mobilization: Mobilization efforts at the ward level were conducted to form SHGs and encourage community participation in the program.
• SHG Formation and Initial Orientations: New SHGs were formed, followed by orientations on the importance of DAY-NRLM, its impact, and adherence to the Dasasutra principles.
• Orientation of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): Village Dweep Panchayats were oriented on the concept of DAY-NRLM and the role of SHG networks. Awareness was created about participatory planning, focusing on improving service delivery mechanisms and the importance of VPRP planning.
• SHG Trainings: Detailed training sessions were held on the DAY-NRLM framework, covering topics such as the relevance of SHGs, maintaining books and registers, and the process for forming federations.
• Bank Account Opening and Bank Linkage Activities: The project facilitated liaison with local banks, conducting account-opening camps and providing financial literacy training. Activities were organized to link SHGs with bank loans and financial services.
• Engagement with Line Departments: Orientation sessions were held for line departments to familiarize them with the potential of working with the SHG network and Village Dweep Panchayats (VDP). Line departments were also oriented on responding to the demand plans prepared by the SHGs, and common platforms for information dissemination were facilitated.
• SHG and CRP Handholding: Ongoing handholding support was provided to SHGs and CRPs. Mentors assisted them with their day-to-day activities, ensuring the smooth running of SHG meetings, and helping them maintain adherence to Dasasutra principles. Additionally, support was provided for establishing convergence with VDPs and line departments.
• Grading: SHGs were oriented on the grading process, preparing them for evaluation. Support was provided to the SRLM in the grading of SHGs.
• Formation of Primary Level Federations: Training sessions were held for CRPs and SHGs, followed by the formation of primary federations (ALF). Training on bookkeeping and financial management was provided to empower these federations.
• Capacity Building of Federations: Federations were equipped with knowledge about their relevance, rights, and entitlements. Exposure to local governance practices and organizational development were key areas of focus. Workshops were held to improve the federations’ capabilities in managing financial records and enhancing their overall organizational capacity. Federation empowerment festivals were organized to strengthen their roles.
• Promotion of Livelihood Activities and Liaison with Departments: Efforts were made to promote farm and non-farm livelihood interventions. The project facilitated liaison with various departments for training opportunities and marketing support.
• Preparation of VPRP: VPRP capacity building has been initiated for SHGs and federations. Efforts were made to initiate departmental convergence, ensuring that SHGs’ demands and needs were addressed through coordinated action.

Sikkim is a north-eastern state of India, sharing its borders with West Bengal in India and countries like Bhutan, Nepal and China. Being part of the eastern Himalayas, the state has a rich biodiversity which includes glaciers, alpine meadows, subtropical climates and a wide variety of wildflowers. The state is the least populous with a total population of 610,577 and is also the second smallest (7,096 km2 area) among Indian states. Out of total population of Sikkim, only 25.15% people live in urban area. The literacy rate of the state stands at 81.42% according to 2011 census. The state has a total SC population of 4.63% and ST population of 33.79%. In the year 1993, the Sikkim Panchayat Act was enacted to establish two tier system at village and district level in line with the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution. The state has 4 districts, 9 blocks and 175 Gram Panchayats.

Kudumbashree NRO has been working with Sikkim SRLM for implementing special project in the state. 

The engagement with Sikkim SRLM and Kudumbashree National Resource Organization (KS- NRO) was initiated with the signing of MoU in October 2015. KS-NRO has been supporting Sikkim SRLM for implementing the special convergence project in a phase wise manner. The partnership was initiated in three blocks of Sikkim in phase I of the project during January 2016. The block covered for the same are Passingdong in North Sikkim and Khamdong and Regu in East Sikkim. During Phase 1 activities, KS-NRO supported for the formation of new SHGs and streamlining of the old ones in these GPUs by deploying Mentor Resource Persons. For SHG formation in the three selected blocks, 31 master trainers were selected by the SRLM and were trained by Kudumbashree NRO. The SHGs were given training on SHG functioning and book keeping. Master trainers were given training on WDS formation and Micro Credit Investment Plan preparation.

The phase II activities commenced in September 2016 with an orientation of the SRLM staffs on the project. During second phase of intervention, the project was initiated in additional four more blocks namely Duga, Rhenock, Pakyong and Kabi. MCP training was given to the Block Resource Persons and new Block Program Managers of Sikkim SRLM. The activities conducted include formation and streamlining of SHGs under NRLM fold, identification of Ward Resource Persons (WRPs), formation of WDS and preparation of Micro Credit Investment Plan (MCP).

Phase III of work in Sikkim started in August 2017. Seven new blocks were identified in North and East Sikkim. The work in these new blocks comprised of formation of SHGs, streamlining any existing SHGs and bringing them under the NRLM fold. The SHGs were to be trained in the matters relating to SHG functioning, book keeping and governance processes.