Odisha

Livelihood, Gender

LINK-US negotiated an MOU with the Government of Odisha. The MOU aimed at forming forward linkages of SHGs to public procurement systems or large businesses and/or access to enterprise networks. At the request of the State government, The LINK Fund commissioned Outline India to undertake a scoping study to amplify the business case for the MOU and its grant component. Outline India provided expertise to complement the ongoing efforts of the Government of Odisha and the LINK-Fund team to formalize the MOU and decide the modalities of cooperation, including the provision of catalytic grant resources from the State Government and its relevant agencies.

The study sought to understand gaps in the existing value chains for SHG-produced products. LINK Fund, leveraging their existing networks and agency, aimed to augment the linkages of SHGs to the global markets. This was to be done by providing training, basic infrastructure, funds and direct linkages. Outline India observed that there was an abundance in products prepared by SHGs, both farm and non-farm; however, SHG’s access to the market was low.