How do we make livelihoods shockproof?

One of the four pillars of the Economic Inclusion Program (EIP) is creating resilient livelihoods for our program participants and their families, whom we call Didis. To ensure sustainable economic progress, income sources must be made shockproof through diversifying livelihoods into two or more sources.

In the EIP program, we collaboratively plan grant support for two livelihoods with our Didis. These livelihood supports are tailor-made, focused on the specific needs and capacities of women within the household, and to help them enable their income security.

Procurement of these assets and aligned resources for livelihoods is provided through two financial grants. The first grant is provided for the livelihood with the longest gestation period for income generation and requires higher investment. Typically, this involves livestock rearing, which, based on context, can be goatery, piggery, or poultry farming. Goatery is the most popular as the livestock is hardy, low maintenance, and provides the highest return on investment.

Throughout the entire process, from planning to procurement and from growing the livelihood to selling them, our community resource persons, referred to as Community Development Officers (CDO) provide intensive training and handholding to our Didis.