Helping backward communities become financially independent

JAIPUR: Centre for Microfinance, an autonomous city-based organisation is among the 30 NGOs in running for a Rs 25 lakh grant from the World Bank, The World Bank Institute and International Finance Corporation.
This NGO offers assistance to backward communities in eastern, southern and western Rajasthan. They have conducted a cash flow study of urban slum at Jagatpura in Jaipur to find out their access to financial services."Study indicates that slum dwellers make a lot of unnecessary cash outflow on health and drinking water. Besides, major part of their monthly income goes to the money lender," said Sourav Roy, programme officer, Centre for Microfinance.
The Centre for Microfinance team prepares business modals for self-help groups (SHGs) besides training them on financial literacy, quality standards, record keeping. The centre claims to have reached over 50,000 poor households in Rajasthan through various schemes.
"We are also supporting the department of women and child development to improve quality of SHG's as part of the pilot project," said Roy.
If the centre gets the grant, Roy said it would be utilised to establish community finance and livelihood resource centres in Alwar, Dungarpur and Jodhpur. One of their schemes Development through finance' is supported by Sir Ratan Tata Trust.