Livelihood

Identifying Needs: OEI assesses the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families to understand the specific support required.

Engaging with Authorities: OEI establishes connections with government authorities, advocacy groups, and relevant stakeholders to discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the benefits of providing grants, loans, and facilities.

Data Collection: OEI gathers data and statistics to support its advocacy efforts, showcasing the impact of government support on the lives of disabled individuals.

Awareness Campaigns: OEI conducts awareness campaigns and workshops to inform the public and policymakers about the importance of inclusive policies and support services.

Policy Recommendations: Based on research and data, OEI proposes policy recommendations to government bodies, highlighting the need for financial assistance and accessibility measures.

Networking: OEI collaborates with other organizations and NGOs working in the disability sector to strengthen advocacy efforts and create a unified voice.

Meetings and Presentations: OEI arranges meetings with relevant government officials, presenting evidence-based arguments for the allocation of grants, loans, UDID cards, and transportation facilities.

Follow-up and Monitoring: OEI continuously follows up with authorities to track the progress of its advocacy initiatives and ensures that the proposed support is implemented effectively.

Impact Evaluation: OEI evaluates the impact of its advocacy efforts, measuring the positive changes brought about by obtaining government grants and facilities.

Empowering Individuals: Throughout the process, OEI encourages individuals with disabilities and their families to actively participate in the advocacy efforts, empowering them to advocate for their rights and needs.

Identifying the Villages: OEI identifies villages with a significant population of women with disabilities who are interested in learning tailoring skills but face challenges in accessing training centers in the city.

Mobilization and Awareness: OEI conducts awareness campaigns and mobilization efforts in these villages to inform women with disabilities about the short-term tailoring training program and its benefits.

Enrollment and Registration: Interested women with disabilities register for the training program. OEI collects their basic details and assesses their specific training needs and requirements.

Training Center Setup: OEI establishes a temporary training center in the village, equipped with sewing machines, materials, and other necessary resources for the training.

Tailoring Training: Qualified trainers conduct the short-term tailoring training sessions, teaching various aspects of tailoring, such as cutting, stitching, and designing. The curriculum is designed to suit the participants’ abilities and cater to their unique learning needs.

Skill Enhancement: The training program focuses on building the participants’ tailoring skills and empowering them to produce quality products.

Practical Experience: The participants get hands-on experience by working on real projects, such as making garments, accessories, and home textiles.

Business Skills: Alongside tailoring skills, participants are taught basic business skills to manage their micro-enterprises effectively.

Graduation and Certification: At the end of the training period, participants are evaluated, and those who successfully complete the course receive a certification from OEI.

Follow-Up and Support: OEI continues to provide support and guidance to the trained women with disabilities, helping them set up their micro-businesses and access resources for income generation.

Identification and Selection: OEI identifies individuals or groups who are interested in starting micro-businesses and have a viable business plan. The selection process may include interviews, assessment of business proposals, and evaluating the potential impact of the proposed business on the individual/family.

Training and Capacity Building: Selected beneficiaries undergo training sessions and capacity building workshops on various aspects of running a micro-business, including business planning, financial management, marketing, and basic entrepreneurial skills.

Loan Application: Once the beneficiaries have completed the training and have a well-defined business plan, they can submit their loan applications to OEI. The loan application includes details about the business, the loan amount required, repayment plan, and other necessary information.

Loan Approval: OEI evaluates the loan applications based on the feasibility of the business plan, the potential for income generation, and the borrower’s repayment capacity. After a thorough assessment, eligible beneficiaries are approved for the micro-financing/loan.

Disbursement of Funds: Once the loan is approved, OEI disburses the funds to the beneficiaries. The amount disbursed is based on the approved loan amount and the specific needs of the micro-business.

Business Launch and Monitoring: Beneficiaries utilize the funds to start or expand their micro-businesses. OEI provides ongoing monitoring and support to ensure that the business is running smoothly and achieving its objectives.

Repayment: Beneficiaries are required to repay the loan in regular installments as per the agreed-upon repayment schedule. The repayment amount is structured to be manageable for the beneficiaries based on their business income.

Impact Assessment: OEI conducts periodic impact assessments to evaluate the success of the micro-businesses and the impact on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. This helps in identifying areas of improvement and refining the micro-financing program.

Identification and Selection: OEI identifies and selects SHGs in the target communities that have the potential and interest in starting or improving small businesses.

Needs Assessment: A thorough needs assessment is conducted to understand the specific requirements and challenges faced by the SHGs in terms of business planning and financial management.

Curriculum Development: Based on the needs assessment, OEI develops a comprehensive training curriculum that covers topics like business planning, market research, financial literacy, budgeting, record-keeping, and accessing financial resources.

Training Sessions: Trained facilitators from OEI conduct interactive and practical training sessions for SHG members. The training includes presentations, case studies, group discussions, and hands-on exercises.

Skill Building: SHG members are taught various skills, such as creating a business plan, identifying market opportunities, setting financial goals, and managing cash flow effectively.

Business Support: After the training, OEI provides ongoing support to SHG members by offering guidance and mentorship in implementing their business plans.

Monitoring and Evaluation: The progress of SHG members is regularly monitored and evaluated to measure the effectiveness of the training program and identify areas for improvement.

Networking and Linkages: OEI helps SHGs establish networks and linkages with other stakeholders, such as financial institutions, government agencies, and market channels, to enhance their business prospects.

Impact Assessment: OEI assesses the impact of the training program on the economic and social well-being of SHG members and their communities.

Identification: OEI identifies individuals with disabilities and their families who are interested in forming self-help groups in their communities.

Formation: A group of interested individuals with disabilities and their families come together to form a self-help group. OEI facilitates the formation process and provides guidance on group dynamics and responsibilities.

Training and Capacity-Building: OEI conducts training sessions for the members of the self-help groups to build their skills and knowledge in various areas such as financial management, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills.

Income-Generating Activities: The self-help groups engage in income-generating activities based on their interests and skills. This may include handicraft production, agriculture, animal husbandry, or other small businesses.

Access to Finance: OEI assists the self-help groups in accessing microfinance and other financial resources to start and expand their businesses.

Market Linkages: OEI helps the self-help groups in establishing market linkages to sell their products and services locally and regionally.

Monitoring and Evaluation: OEI regularly monitors the progress of the self-help groups and provides ongoing support and guidance. This helps in evaluating the impact of the SHG services and making necessary improvements.

Empowerment and Sustainability: Through the SHGs, individuals with disabilities and their families are empowered to take control of their lives, build social networks, and improve their economic conditions. The goal is to create self-sustaining groups that can continue to thrive even after OEI’s direct involvement.

Application and Selection: Interested individuals submit their applications for the training program. The applications are reviewed, and candidates are selected based on eligibility criteria and their passion for learning tailoring and embroidery.

Orientation and Induction: Selected candidates attend an orientation session where they are introduced to the program objectives, curriculum, and training schedule. They receive an overview of the training process and understand the expectations.

Theory and Practical Training: The training program includes a balanced mix of theoretical and practical sessions. Participants learn about fabric types, sewing techniques, embroidery stitches, pattern making, and garment construction. They receive hands-on training in operating sewing machines, cutting fabrics, and executing different embroidery designs.

Skill Development: Throughout the training period, participants engage in skill-building activities and projects. They practice and refine their tailoring and embroidery techniques under the guidance of experienced trainers. They also learn about color combinations, design aesthetics, and product finishing.

Workshop Visits and Industry Exposure: To enhance their understanding of the industry, participants may have the opportunity to visit local textile workshops and interact with industry professionals. This exposure helps them gain insights into the market demands and trends.

Evaluations and Assessments: Regular assessments and evaluations are conducted to gauge the progress of participants. They are given feedback and suggestions for improvement, ensuring their continuous growth and development.

Graduation and Certification: At the end of the eight-month training program, participants successfully complete their training and receive a certification from Equip India Center. This certification validates their acquired skills and knowledge in tailoring and embroidery.

Post-Training Support: Equip India provides post-training support to participants, including job placement assistance and guidance on starting their own small businesses. This support aims to help them utilize their skills effectively and achieve sustainable livelihoods.