## A Model That Works In Pune 's rural periphery, a group of 12 women gather every Thursday morning under a neem tree. They are members of a Self-Help Group (SHG) facilitated by ** PARAMANAND JEEVAN VIKAS FOUNDATION **. Today they are reviewing their collective savings ledger — ₹47,000 pooled over 18 months — and deciding on a loan application from one of their members who wants to buy a second-hand sewing machine. This is not a development project. This is a **functional financial ecosystem** built at the grassroots. ### What PARAMANAND JEEVAN VIKAS FOUNDATION Does Differently Many organisations form SHGs and walk away. Our model is different: **Formation & Training (Months 1–3)** - Identify homogeneous groups of 10–15 women from similar socio-economic backgrounds - Conduct financial literacy training: savings, interest calculation, record-keeping - Link groups to the nearest bank branch for savings accounts under the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme **Incubation & Monitoring (Months 4–18)** - Monthly field visits by trained field workers to review books and resolve disputes - Formal grading system — NABARD's "Grade A/B" SHG classification — to unlock credit - Market linkage workshops connecting SHGs to AGMARKNET and district-level FPOs **Graduation & Peer Mentorship (Month 19+)** - Mature SHGs become "Mentor SHGs" that train newly formed groups - Successful individual members are profiled for Mudra Yojana loans for micro-enterprise expansion ### By the Numbers | Metric | PARAMANAND JEEVAN VIKAS FOUNDATION SHG Program | |--------|--------------------------| | SHGs Supported | Active in 10+ clusters | | Women Reached | 500+ directly | | Average Savings per SHG | ₹38,000+ per annum | | Credit Linkage Rate | 72% of Grade A SHGs | ### Beyond Money: The Social Dividend Economic empowerment is inseparable from social empowerment. Women who control their own income are: - 3× more likely to invest in their children's education (ICRW, 2023) - Significantly less likely to tolerate domestic violence - More likely to participate in Gram Sabha meetings and hold elected office This is why ** PARAMANAND JEEVAN VIKAS FOUNDATION views SHG formation not as a livelihood intervention but as the foundation of comprehensive community transformation.** *Want to support a women's SHG in Pune? [Donate today](/donate) and your contribution goes directly to field operations.*
