Alleviation of Poverty

Through a combination of initiatives, CRUSADE reduces the vulnerability of target communities and improve their economic states. In particular, CRUSADE endevors:

• Promoting Savings & Credit within the group to reduce dependance
and high cost of external borrowings of members
• Establish Bank linkages for sustaining members credit needs at low cost
• Channeling Government schemes having subsidy element
• Providing skill training to increase employment avenues
• Assessing increase in level of employment and income

By March 2007, 580 groups have accomplished savings and common fund of Rs. 240 lakh and their internal lending was Rs. 397 lakh. During 2006-07, the groups have mobilised Rs.139 lakh bank loans and availed Govt. subsidy of Rs. 54 lakh under various schemes.

Poverty assessment

In line with the objective of inclusion of the poorest and marginalised in the SHG fold in order to enable them to be eligible for various benefits, the poverty assessment of families in all project villages was completed. The assessment included both members and non-members in hamlets where CRUSADE has groups. The indicators included type of housing, income generating assets with the family, occupation , other assets. The data collected were analysed using an exclusive software developed for the purpose. The analysis generated information of the poorest still excluded . The family details of these poorest families were provided to field staff and were oriented to motivate the women from these families to form groups relaxing SHG norms. Women short listed by field staff were also visited by senior staff to ensure they belong to the poor families.