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| Livelihoods |
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SILF’s Sustainable Livelihood Approach
Enhancing employability and Employment!
Given the stigma associated with the disease, people once affected by
leprosy and even their families are deprived of opportunities to earn a
decent living in a dignified way. Leprosy affected families are often
dependant on donations and begging for their survival. Social
ostracization is further accentuated by the consequent economic
deprivation, pushing them further on the margins of society.
SILF’s funding aims at closing this gap by providing financial
assistance for sustainable livelihood generation, firmly believing that
such initiatives, in order to be sustainable and successful, must come
from the people themselves. SILF therefore additionally supports
trainings which would be useful in ensuring that income generating
activities are viable and sustainable.
Recognising that employment in the formal sector is not easily
forthcoming, it is important to create opportunities for self
employment, which are feasible, sustainable, profitable and match the
skills and aptitudes of the target groups.
SILF’s selection and funding process is detailed in its Grant
Guidelines.
Together with active participation of colony leaders and the
beneficiaries, and often taking the help of partner NGOs and livelihood
experts, SILF:
- Explores and Identifies local livelihood options
- Assesses market feasibility of the different options
- Assesses skill and resource base of the beneficiaries
- Conducts feasibility studies
- Organizes appropriate trainings on needed skills & capacities
with the help of partners
- Provides financial assistance for setting up their enterprises
SILF assists in a wide range of activities including project
development, detailed business planning, strengthening group cohesion
and formation of SHGs, book keeping as well as marketing guidance.
SILF has also developed a mechanism of a revolving fund among the
beneficiaries who put a part of their profits into a common pool from
which others wanting to start income generating activities can benefit.
A system of setting aside a part of their earnings for community
development, in particular those who are old and disabled has also been
initiated.
SILF is particularly focused on the empowerment of women, as increasing
their incomes and assets have tremendous multiplier effects on the
socio-economic indicators of their families and communities
GRANT GUIDELINES and APPLICATION FOR LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM FUNDING.
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