Cumulative Mein Pragati impact footprint (till May, 2024)

CRISIL Foundation expanded its geographical footprint to Rajasthan in May 2016. The programme is being implemented in the state’s eastern region (Alwar, Dausa and Sikar) with an overall outreach goal of 80,000 women by 2018.

Rajasthan, a state with moderate financial inclusion, has a strong focus on rural livelihood, particularly for women. Mein Pragati with its focus on building financial capability for these women is a logical step forward. In addition to CRISIL Mitras, Mein Pragati has created community level cadre of volunteers known as Sakhis. The Sakhis are mentored by CRISIL Mitras to enable them to act as locally available resource persons for promoting financial awareness and inclusion. Mein Pragati social security melas directly connect programme participants with a range of financial service providers.

Mein Pragati interventions caters to female SHGs. However, it is critical to engage with various stakeholders to create an enabling environment. In Rajasthan – a patriarchal society – the success of a program for women depends on support from men folk along with opinion leaders and community leaders.

Introductory Events in villages at the beginning of each life cycle help establish rapport with the community. SHG members, their families, village elders, opinion leaders, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and any other villagers thus become aware of Mein Pragati, and acquainted with the CRISIL Mitra.

Mein Pragati Social Security Melas (SSM) at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level enable financial linkages for both, participants and non-participants alike. CRISIL Mitras and Sakhis (village volunteers) support the attendees to register for linkages or resolve any issues with any of the attending institutions or departments. Such melas enable a substantial spike in financial linkages, as compared to any intervention in the course of the life cycle.

An independent midline assessment by Prime M2i Consulting Pvt. Ltd indicated:

• Increased awareness about managing household budgets, financial planning
  
• Consequently, high uptake of life and accidental insurance (PMSBY and PMJJBY), and a boost to government schemes such as Bhamashah, Ujjwala and Shramik cards
  
• SHG members demonstrate better financial habits, and increased confidence while dealing with financial institutions. Instances of financial fraud reported have also reduced significantly, implying increased awareness of authentic formal financial products. Subsequently, SHGs have been revived and become disciplined
  

We are leveraging a new medium of communication to reach out to the remote district of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand. To create financial awareness and drive financial inclusion, CRISIL Foundation is broadcasting a series of radio programmes to develop financial capabilities.

We are implementing the project through a local radio station Mandakini Ki Awaaz, a Community Based Organisation, broadcasting programmes on 90.8FM. The radio shows, targeting youth, women, men, and senior citizens reaches out to a captive audience of 300,000 listeners across 330 villages in Rudraprayag District and three blocks - namely Augustyamuni, Jakholi, and Ukhimath.

The content is developed based on findings from a baseline study. The intervention includes a combination of quizzes, phone-based interaction with experts, interviews with experts, and radio dramas focusing on messages to bring about attitudinal and behavioural changes towards household and personal finance management.

Financial independence and livelihood opportunities go together and hence, CRISIL Foundation, in 2018 initiated a few livelihood pilots (on a small scale) in Assam. 

Starting with 75 households in 2018, they gained steady momentum through enhanced household coverage, and improved income generation for over 1,500 households by 2021.

Focused interventions in 2022 enabled a tangible expansion in outreach and impact to over 2,000+ households.

These included:

• ERI rearing in Kamrup: Creation of Eri Resource centres for collective marketing of Eri Silk and convergence of beneficiaries with ASRLM promoted Producer Groups
  
• Handloom and loom upgradation in Kamrup: Upskilling and sustaining the weaver entrepreneurs through loom upgradation, linkage with the State Rural Livelihood Mission and NABARD’s livelihood and enterprise development programme.
  
• Farming and Agro-Hub in Nalbari and Goalpara: Creation of Agro-farming Hub as a community-based institution of women farmers, to promote collectivization, market linkages and sale of produce.

Similarly, in 2023, a pilot was launched in Rajasthan with Jaipur Rugs Foundation – in order to upskill and train over 35 women weavers in Didwana village, Dausa over a 6-month period. 

Currently, ongoing livelihood pilots in Assam and Rajasthan include the loom upgradation (with select cohorts) and rug-weaving.