“Sakhi” is a CSR initiative of Hindustan Zinc Limited. It was in 2007 when the project got implemented at several locations namely Zawar, Agucha, Chanderia, Dariba and Debari in Rajasthan. The initiative led to the foundation of Women led institutions at several areas of intervention. Institutional building and financial inclusion were the themes which were covered at inception. The number of beneficiaries as well as the outreach in terms of locations enhanced till 2015. It was in 2015, the responsibility to implement the project to a professional non-profit organization was taken and since 2015, Manjari Foundation as an organization is implementing the Sakhi Project in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Capacity Building, Financial Inclusion, Livelihood Creation and Microenterprise management are the core themes which are being covered under this initiative and the number of beneficiaries are growing! The project focuses on building independent women institutions to bring in rural women towards a productive front, by uniting them and enhancing their collective potential to be the change makers. It also aims to enhance the quality of life in rural areas through women led development initiatives by promoting sustainable livelihood through micro-financing & enterprises development.The project has a goal to form 2300 Self Help Groups ( SHGs) reaching out 27000 families in 5 years.

Beneficiaries:

• Number of States Covered: 2; Rajasthan and Uttarakhand
• Number of Districts Covered: 6; Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Rajsamand, Udham Singh Nagar
• Number of Gram Panchayats Covered: 85
• Number of Villages: 195
• Number of SHG’s: 2220
• Number of Women Beneficiaries: 26979
• Number of Village Organizations: 194
• Number of Federations: 6

• It is A women centric project
• Project is being implemented in most rural, backward areas and under developed areas as well. It is also covering semi urban areas.
• Special focus on livelihood and job creation by several initiatives like skill development, micro enterprise management and market linkage approach.
• Promoting and facilitating the concept of Business Sakhi to amplify the impact.