Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have become a strong platform for women’s empowerment, financial independence, and community development in Bidar district. However, many SHG members still face challenges such as irregular income, lack of skills, limited access to credit, and minimal opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. This affects their ability to support their families, educate their children, and live a dignified life.
To address these challenges, ORBIT implements a comprehensive Livelihood Development Project focused on SHG members and other marginalized project beneficiaries. By promoting small income-generating activities such as petty shops, tailoring, dairy, goat rearing, and poultry, ORBIT helps families move toward financial stability. The project ensures training, handholding support, credit linkages, and continuous follow-up to make the enterprises sustainable.

Aim

To empower SHG members and marginalized families by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities that enhance family income, financial independence, and long-term economic security.

Objectives

• To promote micro-enterprise development among SHG members and poor families.
• To support income-generating activities like petty shops, tailoring units, dairy, goat rearing, and poultry farming.
• To build capacity of SHG women through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and skill training.
• To link beneficiaries with SHG credit, banks, and government livelihood schemes.
• To improve the socio-economic status of women by strengthening their decision-making and leadership roles.
• To create sustainable livelihood models that uplift entire families and communities.

Activities

1. Identification of SHG Members and Beneficiaries

• Conducting village meetings and SHG cluster discussions.
• Identifying poor, vulnerable, and interested SHG members who need livelihood support.
• Assessing their skills, interests, and available resources.\

2. Skill Development & Capacity Building

• Training on micro-enterprise establishment.
• Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP).
• Business planning, pricing, customer relations, and risk management.
• Financial literacy training:
• Savings habits
• Budgeting
• Loan management
• Digital payments

Technical training for:

• Petty shops and small businesses
• Tailoring and garment stitching
• Dairy, goat rearing, and poultry management

3. Support for Income-Generating Activities

Providing initial support to establish:
• Small petty shops
• Tea and snacks stalls
• Vegetable vending
• Tailoring units
• Sheep or goat rearing units
• Dairy activities (milk production)
• Backyard poultry
• Help in purchasing equipment, seeds, livestock, or raw materials.

4. Financial Linkages

• Strengthening SHG savings and internal lending systems.
• Connecting SHG women to banks for small loans and microfinance.
Guidance on availing schemes such as:
• NRLM
• Shtree Shakti
• Animal husbandry subsidies
• PMEGP/MSME loans
• Encouraging beneficiaries to maintain daily accounts and reinvest profits.

5. Monitoring, Follow-Up & Handholding

• Regular field visits by ORBIT staff.
• Guidance in marketing, quality maintenance, and profit management.
• Solving challenges faced by beneficiaries.
• Encouraging group-based enterprises for sustainability.

6. Impact

The Livelihood Project has brought positive changes in the lives of SHG members and other beneficiaries:
• Increased Income: Families now have a regular income through small businesses and livestock activities.
• Women Empowerment: SHG women have gained confidence, economic independence, and decision-making power at home. • Reduced Migration: Youth and women can now work locally instead of seeking labour work outside.
Strengthened SHGs: Improved savings, discipline, and cooperation within the groups.
Better Living Standards: Families can afford better food, healthcare, house repairs, and education for children.
Savings Culture: Beneficiaries have developed strong saving habits, reducing dependence on moneylenders.
Community Development: Local economy grows as more micro-enterprises emerge in villages.

Conclusion

Entrepreneurship Initiatives for SHG members and marginalized beneficiaries plays a vital role in transforming rural communities. By supporting small enterprises, enhancing skills, and providing continuous handholding support, ORBIT enables families to achieve financial stability and dignity. The project builds self-confidence among women, promotes entrepreneurship, and strengthens the foundation of rural development. With sustained efforts and partnerships, this livelihood model will continue to uplift many more families across the Bidar district.