What problem or need is the project addressing?
In terms of development indicators such as literacy, life expectancy, and infant mortality, Kerala is the most advanced state in India. However, Kerala's per capita income is below the average and it has the highest rate of unemployment in India. In addition, the tsunami in 2004 had a devastating impact on communities already living in poverty.
Supporting small businesses in affected areas is vital to deliver sustainable economic recovery. Other development projects have focused on supporting fishing communities. But fishing offers little hope of escaping poverty. Therefore, this project will create and strengthen alternative livelihood opportunities for poor communities, bringing in additional income and a way out of poverty.
Even without the impact of the Tsunami, support was needed for small businesses in Kerala. They often have access to credit but they do not have the skills to effectively use the funds to improve their businesses and access new markets. These small businesses require specific business support. The Tsunami has added to the urgency for this support.
What is the project doing?
This project will train 15 trainers with business support and counselling skills. The 15 trainers will train a team of 40 small business consultants to work in tsunami-affected areas.
Each of the trainers and business consultants will support 5 small businesses in tsunami affected areas. The project will therefore benefit 275 small businesses. With an average of 20 employees per business, the project will directly benefit 5,500 poor producer employees.
The trainers will continue training after the end of the project. This will ensure that small business consultants are trained on an ongoing basis. As the small business consultants extend their work to more small businesses we expect thousands more producers to benefit.
What impact has the project had?
The project is going well. The 15 trainers and 40 small business consultants have been rained. They are now applying their new skills by supporting small businesses.
Quotes from participants show how they value the training:
"I would like to inform you that my business counselling process is going on well. I impart all the teaching methods of you like time management, planning in my training sessions. I am really thankful for your training. Thank you very much."
"The Traidcraft training was a wonderful one, both in content and methods. Such a training was a new experience for me…During these days I made a visit to 3 micro enterprises in Kozhikode district and 2 in my own Wayanad district and applied the techniques of business counselling. Wow. It really worked. I succeeded in…finding out the real problem of the business. Thanks once again."
Our local partners
Traidcraft Exchange is implementing this project with Kudumbashree, India and Formaper, Italy.
Kudumbashree is an innovative programme of the Government of Kerala with a mission to eradicate absolute poverty. Kudumbashree brings together the resources and services of the local community and government to create sustainable change.
Formaper is an agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan whose main task is to contribute to the development of an entrepreneurial culture.
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by the European Commission.
