Saahas Chetna is an initiative that creates inclusive self-employment opportunities amongst marginalized communities. It is observed that in many low-income community settlements, the informal economy offers many alternative sources of livelihood using natural resources.
Through this initiative we work among the vulnerable communities by training them in handicraft skills using materials such as recycled paper, bamboo, ringaal and wood, as well as across many farm and non-farm sectors. The project also draws upon the communities’ determination and tenacity as regards sources of livelihood.
Central to the project is direct community access, intervention and action; skills- training initiative by engaging the local resource base; facilitating production kit distribution; training aids as per need, and forward linkages. This entails an approach that focuses on individual participation and local, resource-based value chains.
Saahas Chetna is currently active in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand especially in the rural and semi- urban areas although its outreach in Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri and Chamoli districts in Uttarakhand as well as Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh is also being explored.