Self-Help Group (SHG) Promotion Programme

Completed Programme

Building a Foundation for Women’s Empowerment and Financial Inclusion

Since 2007, PAHAL, with the support and patronage of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), actively promoted and strengthened Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across rural communities. The programme played a significant role in advancing women’s empowerment, financial inclusion and community development by enabling rural women to come together through collective savings, mutual support and livelihood development.

Self-Help Groups provided women with opportunities to improve financial literacy, access banking services, develop leadership skills and participate more actively in household and community decision-making. Over time, these groups became important platforms for social and economic empowerment, helping women build confidence, strengthen livelihoods and improve the well-being of their families.

During the programme period, PAHAL facilitated the formation and nurturing of approximately 540 Self-Help Groups, bringing together nearly 5,000 rural women.

Impact at a Glance

540Self-Help Groups Promoted and Strengthened

Nearly 5,000

Rural Women Associated with SHGs

₹3 Crore+

Collective Savings Generated by SHG Members

Programme Period

2007- 2022

Key Achievements

The programme promoted financial inclusion and community participation among rural women.

Through regular savings and responsible financial practices, SHG members collectively accumulated savings of more than ₹3 crore. The groups improved access to banking services, credit facilities and livelihood opportunities, enabling women to become more financially secure and independent.

Participation in SHGs also strengthened leadership skills, confidence and social awareness, encouraging women to take a more active role in household decision-making and community development.

Creating Pathways to Livelihoods

The SHG Promotion Programme served as the foundation for several livelihood and entrepreneurship initiatives implemented by PAHAL in partnership with NABARD.

Many women associated with SHGs later participated in programmes such as the Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP) and the Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP), where they received vocational training, entrepreneurship support and opportunities to establish income-generating enterprises.

Through these initiatives, women were able to translate collective action and savings into sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Lasting Legacy

Although the SHG Promotion Programme concluded in 2022, its impact continues through the hundreds of Self-Help Groups and thousands of women who continue to benefit from the skills, confidence, financial practices and community networks established during the programme.

The initiative demonstrated the power of collective action in creating sustainable social and economic change and laid the foundation for many of PAHAL’s subsequent livelihood and entrepreneurship programmes.

Programme Partner

This programme was implemented by PAHAL with the support and patronage of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).