The Atul Uttara project plays a vital role in strengthening the financial and social institutions of rural women in Valsad district in Gujarat through the self-help group (SHG) model. This project focuses on building sustainable, community-based financial ecosystems that empower economically disadvantaged women to adopt saving habits, access credit and actively participate in financial decision-making within their households and communities. In rural settings, women often face structural barriers to financial inclusion. Many are engaged in informal labour with irregular income and are traditionally excluded from household financial planning. Limited literacy, unfamiliarity with formal banking and lack of exposure to savings and credit mechanisms compound their vulnerability. SHGs address these issues by creating collective platforms for learning, savings and financial empowerment. Through monthly savings contributions, SHG members build a shared fund that is deposited into a group bank account. Members can borrow from this pool at low interest rates agreed upon by the group. Over time, this • formed 66 SHGs, adding 798 women • supported collective savings of ` 125 lakh • helped 101 SHGs to access cash credit of ` 363 lakh • facilitated circulation of ` 104 lakh through internal lending among members system encourages responsible financial behaviour, credit discipline and peer accountability. The group dynamic also fosters confidence, allowing women to gradually navigate banking systems, access formal credit and make independent financial choices. In addition to financial inclusion, the project supports the entrepreneurial ambitions of SHG members. Atul Foundation conducts micro-enterprise training sessions and exposure visits for groups that express interest in collectively starting small businesses. These sessions include basic training in enterprise planning, book keeping, marketing and supply chain awareness. Exposure visits allow women to interact with successful SHG-led businesses, helping them visualise viable business models. Groups that complete this preparatory phase are encouraged and supported to apply for loans from banks to initiate their businesses. This pathway enables SHG members to move from informal labour to collective enterprise, thereby increasing household income and strengthening economic self-reliance. Dhanu Patel of Parnera village, Valsad district, Gujarat, supported her family by selling goods door-to-door, carrying her stock on her head. Financial stress and lack of support limited her income and well-being. After joining a self-help group in her village, she began saving regularly, accessed low-interest loans and received guidance on government schemes. With the loan amount, she could get her daughter married without much financial strain. 25 Atul Foundation | Annual Report 2024-25 | 24 | Empowerment Atul Uttara Empowering women through self-help groups project initiated in 2021 2,498 women | 221 self-help groups EMPOWERMENT
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