Context:
The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is actively supporting women’s empowerment through targeted cooperative development schemes. Two flagship schemes—Swayamshakti Sahakar Yojna and Nandini Sahakar—are designed to promote sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship among women cooperatives.
Swayamshakti Sahakar Yojna
Objective:
- Facilitate affordable and reliable financial services to poor women.
- Enable Self Help Groups (SHGs) to access adequate bank credit for collective socio-economic activities.
- Promote sustainable livelihood through cooperative credit support.
Eligible Entities:
- Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs)
- State Cooperative Banks (StCBs)
- Federated SHG Cooperatives and Cooperative Federations
Nandini Sahakar Scheme
Focus:
A women-centric framework for:
- Financial assistance
- Project formulation
- Capacity development
- Entrepreneurship and business planning
Scope:
- Applicable to all sectors except urban housing
- Supports enterprise development and provides interest subvention on loans
Alignment:
- Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission by fostering women’s entrepreneurship through cooperatives
