Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP)

Completed Project

Empowering Rural Women Through Skills and Entrepreneurship

PAHAL, with the support of NABARD Regional Office, Chandigarh, successfully implemented three Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programmes (LEDPs) in the villages of Jagrawan, Kukar Pind and Chandpur in District Jalandhar. The programmes were sanctioned on 29 December 2020 with the objective of strengthening livelihoods, promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing the economic independence of women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The initiative focused on equipping rural women with practical vocational skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and business development capabilities that could help them generate sustainable sources of income and improve their quality of life.

Through a combination of technical training, practical demonstrations and expert-led sessions, participants developed skills in apparel designing, product development and finishing, while also gaining exposure to entrepreneurship, marketing, production planning, business management and personal development.

Impact at a Glance

90 Women Trained

3 Villages Covered

3 Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programmes Conducted

Approximately 42 Women Started Micro-Enterprises or Secured Wage Employment

Programme Locations

Village Jagrawan

16 January 2021 – 4 February 2021

The first programme was conducted for 30 members of various Self-Help Groups, including PAHAL Ansh, PAHAL Roshni, PAHAL Ekta and PAHAL Laxmi SHGs. Participants received practical training in apparel designing, stitching, block printing, hand painting and decorative product creation. Women with little or no prior experience successfully developed vocational skills and learned garment construction techniques.

Village Kukar Pind

Launched on 8 March 2021

The second programme was inaugurated on International Women’s Day and focused on skill development, confidence building and entrepreneurship promotion. Thirty women participated in the training programme. Following completion of the training, several participants received opportunities to undertake stitching and production work, creating valuable income-generating opportunities.

Village Chandpur

25 April 2022 – 11 May 2022

The third programme continued PAHAL’s efforts to strengthen rural livelihoods through vocational training and entrepreneurship development. Participants received training in apparel designing, product development and finishing, enabling them to pursue self-employment opportunities and supplement household incomes.

Outcomes

The programme contributed to social and economic transformation among participating women. Beneficiaries reported increased confidence, improved vocational skills and greater awareness of entrepreneurship opportunities.

Key outcomes included:

• 90 women trained across three villages.
• Approximately 42 women established micro-enterprises or secured wage employment.
• Establishment of tailoring units, home-based enterprises and small production ventures.
• Increased financial independence among participating women.
• Enhanced leadership, confidence and community participation.

Project Partner

This project was implemented by PAHAL with the support of NABARD Regional Office, Chandigarh.