SWAVALAMBAN ACCELERATOR IN SUNDARBAN (SWAS)

01. Why the Project is?

• Poverty in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal leads to social injustices and adversities
• Women are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence, trafficking, early marriages, and girl child mortality
• Economic activity is concentrated in the coastal strip, neglecting locally available resources for livelihoods
• Mukti aims to contribute to “Aatm Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” and “Vocal for Local” initiatives
• Provides income generation opportunities to villagers
• Supports sustainable livelihoods, preserves artistic traditions, and protects local environmental biodiversity

02. What the project is?

• Financial support provided to MUKTI for promoting economic empowerment of vulnerable SHGs in Sunderbans
• Implemented through the ‘Swavalamban Accelerator in Sunderbans’ (SWAS) program
• Start-up kits provided to SHG members for microenterprises after training
• Facilitated linkages with potential buyers or markets through the organization
• Project started in December 2020
• Aimed to empower 1000 SHG members in handicraft and food processing trades
• Livelihood Incubation Center set up in Kankandighi as a training hub
• Training provided to 1000 women, including women from minorities, SCs, STs, and OBCs.

03. How the Project is ?

• We have trained 1000 beneficiaries in different trades, resulting in an increase in income for 650 SHG women.
• 417 of these women have successfully established their own businesses, and 717 beneficiaries have been linked with markets.
• Additionally, we were able to help all beneficiaries open bank accounts to facilitate access to loans in the future.
• The project was managed by a dedicated team consisting of a Program Manager and Project Coordinator, who monitored the project’s progress on the ground at regular intervals.

04. Where the project is?

Mathurapur I, Mathurapur II, Kultali, Pathar Pratima, Blocks in South 24 Parganas District

05. What the impact is?

• Under the project, we have trained 1000 SHG women and established a Common Facility Centre (CFC) at Kankandighi to support MCDF members by supplying raw materials for their products.
• Mukti, in association with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), started the CFC in the village, and some women entrepreneurs have already started selling their products.
• Women are now participating in state-level fairs and exhibitions, and an income increase has been witnessed among 450 SHG women.
• So far, we have successfully completed over 40 Udyam registrations and helped 30 women obtain the Artisan Card, while one woman beneficiary received the FSSAI certificate.

Impact Stories