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Targeting the Hardcore Poor Programme (THP)-backup

Targetting the Hardcore Poor Programme targets poorest of the poor among socially and economically marginalised social groups across different poverty pockets in India. The programme essentially supports women led ultra-poor households to create sustainable income sources through creation of assets and businesses in farm and non-farm sector.

World Economic Forum observes that more than one-fourth of world’s population are today living below the poverty line as observed in their respective countries. The ultra-poor or hardcore poor are the lowest earning and most vulnerable subset of this population globally.

This unique programme targets the poorest of the poor, among socially and economically marginalized social groups. This programme was designed to address the special needs of these groups and it has proved effective in different areas and regions of India.

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The poorest of the poor are selected through a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise. Grants (in the form of free assets, not cash) are offered to ultra-poor women who are single or lead households amidst severe economic stress and social marginalisation. Prior to extending the grant, necessary training is provided to manage the asset. They start generating income from this asset and are consequently able to sustain their livelihoods. It is seen that within 24 months of this grant intervention, the ultra-poor beneficiaries develop enterprise skill. They start to graduate, transitioning themselves from extreme poverty, and get linked to mainstream society thereby leading a life of respect with economic security.

This programme follows a 360-degree approach. Besides free assets, programme provides consistent counselling, mentoring and extensive capacity building in asset management, savings, enterprise promotion, basic business accounting, among others.  A weekly consumption stipend (considerable amount of cash) is also provided to these women to meet their daily basic expenses until the assets begin to yield returns. To ensure that they make informed financial decisions, the programme imparts financial literacy to them. They are encouraged to open a savings account with any bank. To enable them to live better and seamlessly enter the mainstream economy, there is empowerment around socially relevant issues and access to diverse social protection schemes under government. Overall confidence building is done so that they do not fall in the poverty trap again.

  • 2006 Inception Year
  • 72 Districts
  • 388 Blocks
  • 5,494 Panchayat/Municipalities
  • 24,082 Villages
  • 1,80,976 No. of beneficiaries / households
  • 135,263 No. of women graduated out of extreme poverty
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Over the years, it has been seen that there is a positive impact of this intervention in the lives of many. There are certain beneficiaries who have moved from a stage in life where they were even contemplating suicide for want of money to a position where they earn reasonable monthly income, have a healthy life and are able to support their families.

The state governments of Bihar, Rajasthan and Jharkhand have shown keen interest in this programme and have collaborated with Bandhan-Konnagar to implement this programme in select districts.

This innovative programme has been evaluated by Nobel laureates Prof. Abhijit Banerjee and Prof. Esther Duflo. Prof. Raghabendra Chattopadhyay of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and Jeremy Shapiro of European Council of Foreign Relations, were also a part of the research team.

This programme works closely in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 1 (end poverty in all its forms everywhere) of the United Nations.

Our Programme

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    Programme: THP

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    Date: May 15 – 16, 2018

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    Visitor Details: Senior officials namely Syed M. Hashemi, Senior Advisor Graduation Program, Kate McKee, Transition Lead and Secretariat Manager, Sadna Samaranayake, Technical Adviser, representing Partnership for Economic Inclusion (PEI), World Bank

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    Branch: Hatisala, North 24 Parganas

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    Programme: THP

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    Date: January 22 – 16, 2020

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    Visitor Details: Mr. John Alex, ED & CEO, Equitas Small Finance Bank and Dr. CR Gariyali, IAS (Retd.), Former Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and Founder Trustee, Equitas Development Trust

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    Branch: North 24 Parganas