Mankulam
Grama Panchayat

Kudumbashree – State Poverty Eradication Mission

Kudumbashree

Kudumbashree – State Poverty Eradication Mission is an innovative framework set up by the Government of Kerala (Local Self Government Department) in 1998, aiming at poverty eradication and women empowerment. Its activities are implemented through a community-based organization network formed under the leadership of Local Self Government Institutions (Panchayats/Municipalities).

🔲 Organizational Structure

• Neighborhood Group (NHG): 10–20 members, represented by one female member per household who has completed 18 years of age.
• Area Development Society (ADS): Federation of Neighborhood Groups at the ward level.
• Community Development Society (CDS): Apex body at the Panchayat/Municipality level. Office bearers are democratically elected women; Local Self Government members serve as patrons or heads of evaluation committees to provide guidance.

🎯 Key Objectives

• Poverty Eradication – Highest priority.
• Economic Empowerment – Achieved through income generation, entrepreneurship, and microfinance.
• Social Development – Focused on healthcare, education, and initiatives like Destitute-Free Kerala.
• Women Empowerment – Ensured through leadership building, active participation in decision-making, and gender justice.

1. Economic Development & Livelihood

• Micro-Enterprises: Over a hundred thousand micro-enterprise groups operating across diverse fields such as Cafe Kudumbashree, Janakeeya Hotels, Nutrimix, Haritha Karma Sena, construction groups, and apparel units.
• Bank Linkage & Thrift-Credit: Facilitating bank linkage loans for lakhs of NHGs alongside self-help thrift and credit operations.
• Marketing Facilitation: Listing products on platforms like ONDC to enable online e-commerce and marketing reach.
• Agriculture / Animal Husbandry / Value Addition: Group farming, Farmer Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), processing, branding, and trade fairs.

2. Social Development

• Destitute-Free Kerala: Identification, rehabilitation, and comprehensive support systems for poor and destitute families.
• BUDS Schools & Balasabha: Programs dedicated to children's education, care, and overall development.
• Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation: Livelihood assistance and rehabilitation support for families affected by disasters.

3. Women Empowerment

• Empowerment interventions executed through initiatives such as Sthree Padhavi Swayam Padanam (Self-Learning on Women's Status) and SNEHITHA Gender Help Desk.
• Skill Development & Employment: Providing skill training and job placements for rural youth through DDU-GKY 2.0.
• Leadership Training: Capacity development at CDS/ADS/NHG levels focusing on democratic governance, microfinance, and livelihood management.

4. Other Key Initiatives

• PMAY-LIFE (Kerala): Kudumbashree functions as the nodal implementation agency.
• SVEP / SRLM-NRLM: Support extended for rural entrepreneurship development and sustainable livelihoods.
• Market Interventions: Direct market interventions such as setting up seasonal 'Onam Fairs' (Onachanthakal) for price stabilization and supply distribution.

🔲 List of CDS Members 2026