Rajasthan: Ethiopian Delegation Explores Rural Livelihood Initiatives at Rajeevika

A high-level 29-member delegation from the Government of Ethiopia visited Rajasthan on October 29 and 30 to gain insights into the community-based livelihood and women’s empowerment initiatives being implemented under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in the state. The delegation included members from the Ethiopian government, the World Bank, Micro-Save Consulting, and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Their visit focused on understanding the structure, implementation, and outcomes of Rajasthan’s rural livelihood programs, specifically those facilitated by the Rajasthan Grameen Ajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika). During their visit to Alwar district, the delegation interacted with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs) managed by women under the Rajeevika framework. They observed the processes of SHG formation, inter-loaning mechanisms, and income-generating activities conducted through Producer Groups (PGs) and Producer Enterprises (PEs). The Ethiopian officials commended Rajasthan’s community-driven model and the leadership shown by SHG women, praising the efforts towards sustainable rural livelihoods and women’s empowerment. The delegation also visited the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) in Jaipur, where they received detailed insights into Rajeevika’s ongoing programs and innovations presented by District Project Managers and Neha Giri, IAS, State Mission Director. The meeting included discussions on the convergence of government schemes, community-based institutions, and financial mechanisms for SHGs. Representatives from banks like SLBC, SBI, PNB, RGB, BoI, ICICI, and HDFC participated in detailed conversations on enhanced financial inclusion. The meeting provided valuable insights into Rajasthan’s rural livelihood model, community mobilization, and women-led enterprise development, enhancing the collaboration between Rajasthan and Ethiopia in the realm of rural development.