Vivekananda Seva Samity (VSS)
Increasing Economic 
Opportunities and Education in West Bengal, India
Aim: Increasing economic opportunities and sustainable incomes for 100 extremely poor families and increasing long term access to education for 100 children.
Background: Although parts of
Programme:
The programme bases itself on the micro-credit model pioneered by the Nobel Award winning Grameen Bank. Village women are organised into groups of around fifteen members and if required, trained in income-generating skills such as embroidery, electrical and mobile phone repairs, soft toy manufacture or running small shops. They are then given access to small loans to help start-up businesses. The programme also includes awareness camps to educate participants about health and social issues, and the provision of schooling and a free health check for at least one child from each participating family.
Micro-credit schemes are at the cutting edge of international development practice because they give the participants a high degree of ownership of the scheme. The money that Tzedek invests in the local community will hopefully help to alleviate poverty long after funding has ceased through its having given people marketable skills and helped establish sustainable businesses.
Partners: VSS is an experienced organisation that has built up good community relationships at grassroots level. They also have good linkages with the Panchyat, or local government. They are ideal partners for Tzedek as they provide the local knowledge, initiative and skills needed to reach impoverished groups in the most effective and efficient way. VSS have been funded by national and international bodies such as Movie Maya Private Limited India, GOAL and DOEN Netherlands.
Outcome: Through the scheme, 100 women are given the chance to generate a sustainable income by receiving micro-loans, and around sixty of these will also receive skills training. The women will later repay the loan to VSS, who can then use this "revolving credit" to finance and support more participants. The women will also be enabled to develop an awareness of health and social issues, such as HIV and child trafficking, though attending regular awareness camps. Finally, the scheme will enable 100 children to receive health checks and access to a decent education, which their families will continue to fund with their increased income.
Evaluation: VSS have well developed evaluations procedures. These are largely participatory in nature, since they rely on input and feedback from beneficiaries. Regular visits are made to the families of children attending schools and regular meetings are held with parents or "guardian committees" and with the leaders of the women's groups. At the start of the project, VSS submitted a baseline study to Tzedek and they are required to submit comprehensive progress reports twice a year for the entire duration of the project.
Required Funds: £10,500 granted over five years
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