Nagaland Signs MoU with BRAC to Support 4,000 Vulnerable Households
Nagaland signs MoU with BRAC International to launch SAY-SOBLOK, a three-year initiative to support 4,000 vulnerable households through sustainable livelihoods.
In a significant move to bolster rural economic security, the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) has joined forces with BRAC International to launch the SAY-SOBLOK programme. This strategic partnership aims to provide a lifeline to 4,000 extremely vulnerable households across the state over the next three years.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Hotel Vivor in Kohima on Tuesday. This initiative is aligned with the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The Graduation Approach: A Path to Self-Reliance
The SAY-SOBLOK initiative utilizes BRAC’s globally recognized "Graduation Approach." This method is designed to move families from a state of extreme vulnerability to sustainable economic independence through a sequenced, time-bound series of interventions. Rather than providing mere temporary relief, the programme focuses on long-term resilience.
The comprehensive support framework includes:
- Intensive Household Coaching: Personalized guidance to navigate economic challenges.
- Livelihood Development: Building assets and skills tailored to local markets.
- Financial Inclusion: Integrating families into the formal financial system.
- Access to Essential Services: Ensuring households can reach government entitlements and social services.
- Social Empowerment: Strengthening the resilience and confidence of community members.
Focus on Women-Led Households
A core pillar of the programme is the empowerment of women. Shweta S. Banerjee, BRAC International India Country Lead, noted that the three-year programme will specifically target the most vulnerable women-led households in selected villages. The goal is to guide these families through a structured graduation process, providing them with the assets and mentoring required to achieve self-reliance.
"The idea is that all extremely vulnerable households should have a livelihood pathway," Banerjee stated, emphasizing that the programme supports the Ministry of Rural Development's mission to implement the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana.
Measuring Success Through Economic Security
Thavaseelan K, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Rural Development, Nagaland, highlighted that the success of SAY-SOBLOK will not be judged by enrollment numbers alone. Instead, the true metric of success will be whether participating families achieve dependable incomes and the ability to withstand financial setbacks.
He emphasized several critical factors for the programme's success in Nagaland:
- Local Adaptation: Tailoring the intervention to Nagaland's unique socio-economic landscape.
- Transparent Identification: Ensuring aid reaches the truly eligible beneficiaries.
- Market Alignment: Choosing livelihood options that suit local market demands.
- Coordinated Effort: Strengthening the link between district teams, block-level workers, and community institutions.
As the implementation phase begins, the collaboration seeks to transform the economic landscape for Nagaland's most marginalized citizens, turning immediate assistance into lasting prosperity and confidence.