MoRD and UNICEF YuWaah Partner to Empower Rural Women, Youth Through Jobs and Skills

The strategic partnership is designed to empower Self-Help Group (SHG) women and rural youth by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and enhancing their participation in the workforce.

In a landmark move aimed at transforming the lives of rural women and youth in India, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and UNICEF YuWaah have signed a three-year Statement of Intent (SoI) to boost employment, entrepreneurship, and digital access in rural communities. The strategic partnership is designed to empower Self-Help Group (SHG) women and rural youth by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and enhancing their participation in the workforce.

The initiative is centered around enabling rural populations, especially women and young people, to access employment, start businesses, and acquire in-demand skills, thereby increasing their economic independence. With nearly 10 crore SHG members under the umbrella of MoRD’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the partnership aims to tap into this robust social infrastructure to deliver large-scale impact.

Pilot Project Across Five States

As part of the initial phase, the project will pilot key initiatives in five blocks across five Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan. Two innovative centers, Computer Didi Centers and Didi Ki Dukan, will be established in each block. These centers will act as digital learning hubs and entrepreneurial outlets respectively, providing women with the tools and skills needed for the digital economy and local commerce.

If successful, the project is poised to be scaled across more than 7000 blocks nationwide, with the potential to reach 35 lakh women, significantly contributing to the goal of increasing female labor force participation in India’s rural areas.

A Vision Aligned with Budget 2025-26

The signing ceremony was marked by key dignitaries from both MoRD and UNICEF. Shri T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, highlighted the timeliness of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership has come at a very opportune time as it aligns with the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme announced in the Union Budget 2025-26. It is particularly significant because nearly one-third of the 10 crore SHG members are youth, who will play a central role in this initiative.”

Ms. Sharada Thapalia, Deputy Representative (Operations), UNICEF India, also emphasized the importance of leveraging SHG networks, saying, “MoRD's extensive network of over 10 crore SHG women serves as a powerful social infrastructure that can be leveraged to reach those who need this opportunity the most.”

Youth Hub and Lakhpati Didi Models to Lead Change

The collaboration also includes the launch of Youth Hub, an innovative aggregator platform that will integrate job opportunities, skill development resources, and volunteering activities. The Youth Hub aims to serve as a one-stop solution for rural youth seeking to navigate the employment landscape.

Additionally, scalable models will be piloted to create thousands of Lakhpati Didis—women entrepreneurs earning over one lakh rupees annually. This aligns with the government’s broader vision of fostering rural entrepreneurship and economic resilience, particularly among women.

A Collaborative Step Toward Inclusive Development

Also present at the ceremony were Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD, Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD, and members of the MoRD and UNICEF YuWaah teams. The event underscored the shared commitment of both organizations to foster inclusive and sustainable rural development.

By combining the grassroots network of MoRD’s SHGs and the global experience of UNICEF YuWaah in youth development, the partnership holds the promise of transforming rural livelihoods and empowering a new generation of change-makers in India.

The success of this initiative could mark a new chapter in India’s rural development journey, where women and youth lead the way in building resilient communities through digital empowerment, entrepreneurship, and equitable access to opportunities.