Skill Development

NIWAD firmly believes that economic empowerment begins with skill enhancement and access to livelihood opportunities. Our targeted vocational and entrepreneurial training programmes aim to bridge the rural skill gap, especially among women, tribal communities, and youth, enabling them to secure sustainable incomes and financial independence. Through collaborations with government agencies such as NABARD, Coir Board Pollachi, Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), and TRIFED, NIWAD has successfully reached hundreds of individuals with relevant, market-driven skills.One of the notable initiatives under this thematic area is the Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP), implemented from 2017 to 2021 with the support of NABARD Chennai. This low-cost, high-impact programme provided 210 rural women with entrepreneurial skills, helping them initiate income-generating activities in their communities. Similarly, the Coir Skill Training Programme (₹1,36,000, 2019–2021), funded by the Coir Board, Pollachi, focused on enhancing livelihood options for 120 Scheduled Tribe women, equipping them with coir-based product manufacturing and marketing skills.

To promote traditional crafts and heritage livelihoods, NIWAD launched an ongoing Handloom Training Programme in 2021, supported by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Department of Handloom, Ahmedabad. Through this initiative, 360 weavers were trained in both traditional techniques and modern weaving practices, with the goal of revitalizing rural handloom clusters and improving market access. Earlier, between 2012 and 2014, NIWAD partnered with the Ministry of Urban Poverty Alleviation to implement the Swarna Jayanthi Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) – Skill Training Programme. This programme empowered 230 SHG members with skills in trades such as tailoring, food processing, and small enterprise development, contributing significantly to urban livelihood support.Another impactful and ongoing intervention is the Vandan Vikas Kendhra (VDVK) project (₹15,00,000, 2020–2024), funded by the Ministry of Tribal Welfare (TRIFED). This initiative supports 300 Scheduled Tribe SHG women through value addition of forest produce, product standardization, packaging, and linking with mainstream markets. By promoting entrepreneurship among tribal communities, the project strengthens grassroots economies and enhances the role of women as local economic leaders.

Collectively, these programmes reflect NIWAD’s dedication to creating inclusive livelihood opportunities, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, and ensuring that rural populations—especially women—are not just skilled, but also economically empowered and socially confident.