Sunderbans has been one of the remotely based locations on the world map covering 19 blocks from South and North 24 Pgs districts of WB. The region has been worldwide known for the flora and fauna and wide diversity in the population. Even today, people here are mostly dependent on forest and river for their livelihood which barely meets their daily ends. Poverty has been the major driving force in giving birth to the various social injustices and adversities here. As a result, the women are the most vulnerable and becoming victims of domestic violence, trafficking, early marriages, girl child mortality, etc. in everyday context. Most of the economic activity is concentrated in the coastal strip where many people reside, and less attention has been given to the locally available resources which can lead to generation of livelihood. For this purpose, MUKTI, a socioeconomic development organization, has pledged to contribute to make Aatm Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan a reality by ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative; providing the villagers with income generation opportunities for making a strong contribution to the sustainable livelihoods, unique artistic traditions, and local environmental biodiversity.

To project provided financial Support to MUKTI to promote economic empowerment of vulnerable SHGs in Sunderbans through 'Swavalamban Accelerator in Sunderbans' (SWAS- breathing entrepreneurial energy) programme with start up kits to help them in starting their microenterprises post training and also provided them a platform for linkages with potential buyers or markets through the organization.

The project started in December 2020 with an aim to empower 1000 SHG members in two different trades i.e handicraft and food processing in a Livelihood incubation centre which was setup in Kankandighi in December 2020 as a training hub for 1000 women inclusive of women from minorities, SCs, STs, OBCs. The project benefitted beneficiaries from Mathurapur I and II, Patharpratima and Kultali block of Sundarbans region. The project witnessed some setup during covid-19 pandemic. However, we successfullytrained 1000 beneficiaries by September 2022. The project helped to sensitize other SHG women residing in nearby blocks.

• 450 SHG women witnessed an increase in income
• 417 SHG women are now doing their business successfully
• Able to open bank accounts for all the beneficaries to avail loan in future
• Capacity Building & Financial Literacy sessions conducted
• 403 beneficiaries have been market linked.
• CFC was setup in Sept 22 without any additional fund request for the same.
• 2 additional resources are dedicated to this project and necessary asset purchases have been done