Stories of Change

Transforming Poor Rural Women into Successful Business Managers

Ten years ago Pushpa Devi Maurya joined a self-help group to make ends meet in the village of Chak Padri in the state of Uttar Pradesh, northern India. Today this 35-year-old mother of two manages the bulk milk chilling centre set up by the milk producers’ company near her village. The centre collec more

Partnering to Build Skills: Evaluation Report Says UNDP’s Support in Setting Up the Rajasthan Mission on Livelihoods has been Beneficial to the State

An evaluation of a project between the Government of Rajasthan and UNDP to support livelihood promotion strategies in Rajasthan has found it made a significant impact on marginalized communities through livelihood promotion and skill building initiatives undertaken. An evaluation of a project betwee more

From ‘Slash and Burn’ to Sustainability: Farming Communities in North-eastern India Improve Soil Fertility and Earn Higher Incomes

UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Nagaland, is helping farmers practicing jhum cultivation in 70 villages in Nagaland grow healthier crops and earn better income by introducing sustainable land management practices. By slowing rates of soil erosion, these practices have also helped farmers more

Functional Literacy – The Language of Empowerment

By focusing on financial and legal literacy, UNDP has empowered poor and marginalized to strengthen their asset base, secure justice and expand the range of choices available to them. 30 year old Rita Devi from Rampur village in Jaunpur district of eastern Uttar Pradesh is the mother of five young c more

Knowledge for Action: United Nations Solution Exchange Receives Global Recognition

The United Nations flagship knowledge management initiative, Solution Exchange has received the eWorld Public Choice Award at the Second eWorld Forum in New Delhi on 15 June. The growing network of over 35,000 members has been recognized in the category of ‘Best Initiative for Localized Application/ more

Sustainable Livelihoods for Tribal Communities

Twenty-five year old Gobardhan Munda’s income has doubled, he now has a bank account and a Kisan Credit Card. He grew up juggling several jobs to support his seven member family. Barely able to eke out a living from his small plot of land, he would work as daily wage earner, loading construction mat more

UNDP Chief Meets Indian Women Who Have Broken the Glass Ceiling

New Delhi, 14 March 2012: UNDP Administrator Helen Clark met a group of Indian women activists, local leaders and social entrepreneurs here today. The main message that emerged from the discussions was that women could become a force to transform society provided they are politically and economicall more

Conserving Habitats; Protecting Livelihoods: A Women’s Group in Orissa, India Leads the Way

UNDP is partnering with the Orissa government to mobilize local communities to conserve natural resources through building sustainable ecosystem based livelihoods and social capital. “When communities themselves drive conservation efforts, they can positively impact coastal livelihoods and ensure th more

Conserving Water the Traditional Way

The United Nations Development Programme-supported water conservation project in the arid Marwar region of the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan has shown that traditional knowledge and community involvement goes a long way in saving every precious drop of water. Helping Communities Help Themse more

Social Mobilization for Poverty Alleviation

As a result of UNDP India’s Social Mobilization for Poverty Alleviation project in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, women in the villages of Udaipur in Rajasthan have been able to open bank accounts and take important decisions related to livelihoods. OWNING more

Publications

Promoting Financial Inclusion - Can the Constraints of Political Economy Be Overcome?

In collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the paper outlines the constraints and challenges of financial services; impact of government and regulator policies to promote financial inclusion; and product-specific challenges in enabling greater access to financial services.

Empowered People; Resilient Nation

The report highlights the emerging landscape in India and key development challenges that face the country. In doing so it aims to identify key areas that can contribute to transformational change that empower people and build an inclusive, climate-resilient, sustainable development paradigm for 2013-17 and beyond.

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