Sustainable Livelihood, Agriculture and NRM
Skills, market linkage, and land-based income.
Ambedkar Foundation has been working since 2009 to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities for rural communities in Jharkhand. Our livelihood interventions focus on Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women’s skill development, vocational training, traditional crafts, enterprise development, and community-based livelihood opportunities across areas including Hazaribagh, Chatra, and Giridih. For us, sustainable livelihood development means creating opportunities that enable people—particularly women from vulnerable communities—to develop practical skills, start income-generating activities, and build greater economic independence. Over the years, our programmes have supported women through training in jute products, Dhokra art, coir-based livelihoods, plumbing, two-wheeler mechanics, and other vocational skills. Our approach combines community participation, practical training, institutional partnerships, and livelihood opportunities to help rural families build more secure and sustainable sources of income.
What we focus on
- Self Help Group formation, strengthening, and financial literacy
- Skill and micro-enterprise development (mushroom cultivation, craft-based livelihoods)
- Sustainable agriculture practices and natural resource management
- Market linkage support so household production reaches fair-price buyers
Our work in this area
Concrete initiatives, campaigns, and projects we have run on the ground.
Digitisation of SHG bookkeeping and financial records via NABARD's E-Shakti initiative, delivered through Support (a NABARD grantee) — improving credit-linkage readiness for member households.
Partner / Funder — Support (NABARD grant)
Participation in this government self-employment scheme, supporting BPL households in setting up small income-generating activities through subsidised credit and skill inputs.
Partner / Funder — Government scheme
A NABARD-supported Farmers Club initiative organising small and marginal farmers into peer groups for shared learning on agricultural best practices, input access, and market information.
Partner / Funder — NABARD
A NABARD-funded Micro Enterprise Development Programme that trained groups of women and farmers in Hazaribagh and Chatra in mushroom cultivation as a reliable, low-capital, year-round income source. Participants were supported through production, packaging, and local market linkage.
Partner / Funder — NABARD
A follow-on NABARD MEDP focused on coir and craft product making for tribal artisans, enabling a product-based livelihood with market linkage through established buyers and the JHARCRAFT network.
Partner / Funder — NABARD
A SIDBI-supported skill development programme covering business basics, enterprise management, and sectoral skills for microenterprise owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh and Giridih.
Partner / Funder — SIDBI
Since the Foundation's earliest days, SHG formation has been the backbone of our livelihood work — over 500 groups across Hazaribagh, Chatra, and Giridih, covering savings habits, internal lending, and eventual linkage with bank credit.
Ongoing material aid distribution with Goonj, channelling clothing, household goods, and basic supplies to flood-affected and BPL households while maintaining the dignity and agency of recipients through a structured exchange model.
Partner / Funder — Goonj
Other focus areas
Education
Bridging learning gaps for tribal and rural children.
Health, Nutrition and WASH
Community health access and clean water & sanitation.
Social and Legal Empowerment
Rights awareness and access to justice.
Women and Child Development
Safety, nutrition, and opportunity from the earliest years.
Environment and Climate Action
Community-led resilience against a changing climate.