What is Action Village India?
Action Village India (AVI) is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting transformative initiatives in rural India. Founded and run by people inspired by India, Action Village India has for more than 30 years, supported eight long-term partners in India who manage rural development projects.
We are committed to understanding the needs of rural India and its people at a time when India is changing and developing so quickly. Our strong partnerships allow us to access this knowledge and we do this in a spirit of friendship and solidarity.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to foster equality, dignity, and self-reliance for some of the most underserved communities in rural India. Through sustainable projects, we help women, men and children unlock their potential and create brighter futures.
Your support enables us to continue this vital work to drive lasting change.
We are sharing with you a request for your solidarity and support for our partner, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas (Self-Employed Women’s Association) to further women’s economic empowerment in rural communities in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
Every Contribution Counts
Even a £1 donation can create a ripple effect when combined with the generosity of others, helping us reach our £8,000 goal. Together, small contributions make a big impact!
With just £20, we can provide a woman from a marginalized community with essential training, tools, or resources to become self-reliant, empowering her to support her family and contribute to her community’s growth.
Your small act of kindness can spark life-changing transformations.
Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas (MSSN)
Established in 1991, MSSN, our newest partner, is a Madhya Pradesh-based trust focused on empowering women workers in India’s unorganised sector. The organisation now reaches over 600,000 women labourers in 1,200 rural villages and 800 low-income urban settlements across the state. As a sister organisation to SEWA Madhya Pradesh, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas has committed to uplifting women by supporting their rights and livelihoods.
Supporting Indigenous Young Women and Girls
In central Madhya Pradesh, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas is working with young women and girls from marginalised indigenous communities. In spite of attempts to address the historical exclusion of these groups by various institutions, deeply entrenched societal prejudices continue to leave indigenous communities on the peripheries of their communities and society. Indigenous women especially face discrimination based on ethnicity, gender and economic disadvantage, often resulting in generational poverty. Living in remote areas with limited access to healthcare and education, these women are in critical need of support to overcome these challenges.
Purpose and Scope of Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas’s Support
Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas is aiming to equip these adolescent girls and young women with livelihoods skills, helping them to secure opportunities for self-employment and to develop small enterprises. Furthermore, they are promoting climate resilience and increasing awareness of climate change.
Activities and Impact
In ten rural, indigenous-majority villages, Mahila SEWA Shram Nyas’s initiatives will directly impact 3,696 women and girls, with a positive ripple effect anticipated to benefit around 12,000 people. The programme includes:
● Skills Training for 180 Women: Women will gain skills in production and sales, handling all aspects from procuring materials to packaging and marketing.
● Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Ten SHGs, one in each village, will be formed with 100 women, enabling them to access loans for small enterprises.
● Climate Resilience Training: 100 women will form Vigilance Committees, receiving training on climate resilience, sustainable animal husbandry, and promoting environmental awareness in their communities.
● Support for Indigenous Women Farmers: Around 100 women farmers will supply raw materials locally, reducing transportation costs, middlemen fees, and the carbon footprint of production.
● Document Assistance: 1,500 women and their families will receive support to obtain government documents essential for accessing welfare schemes, schooling, and banking services.
● Climate Awareness for 12,000 People: Training sessions will raise awareness of climate change, encouraging community-driven environmental action and adaptations.
These activities are designed to foster a sense of collective ownership and responsibility among women, empowering them to manage and sustain these initiatives over time.
We are hoping to raise a solidarity contribution of £8,000 for this inspiring work and we hope that you could consider being part of it.
We invite you to support these transformative initiatives in Madhya Pradesh, India. Your contribution to our £8,000 goal can contribute to changing lives, fostering economic independence and resilience for women and girls in rural India.
Thank you for your solidarity,
With warmest wishes for the season ahead
Action Village India