Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP)
Overview
The Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) is a flagship initiative supported by NABARD and implemented by PEACE (People’s Action for Creative Education) to create sustainable livelihoods among Self-Help Group (SHG) members, especially rural women, by transforming them into confident, self-reliant entrepreneurs.
The LEDP program goes beyond just skills training – it is a comprehensive model that integrates enterprise promotion, capacity building, market access, and financial linkages. PEACE, through its deep-rooted community presence and proven record in rural development, has been successfully running LEDP projects in Jagdevpur Mandal of Siddipet District, 2nd Phase, Yadagirigutta Mandal of Yadadri District, Telangana, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of women and their families.
Objectives of LEDP
Location
- Promote income-generating enterprises through skill development among SHG women on Dairy Management.
- Build entrepreneurship capacity through structured training and support services.
- Facilitate credit linkage and handholding support to ensure enterprise sustainability.
- Enable market access for products and services produced by SHG members.
- Provide refresher training, demonstration units, and infrastructure support.
Key Features of LEDP at PEACE
Sustainable
🔷 SHG Cluster Focus
LEDP targets clusters of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in farm and non-farm activities across contiguous villages. The program focuses on empowering women from marginalized communities in Jagdevpur Mandal, Yadagirigutta Mandal of Yadadri, Bhongir.
🔷 Skill Development
Women are trained in various trades including:
- Tailoring and Garment Making
- Beauty and Wellness Services
- Food Processing and Pickle Making
- Petty Shops and Small Trading
- Agri-Allied Enterprises (such as nursery, kitchen gardening, herbal products)
🔷 Entrepreneurial Empowerment
The program is designed to help SHG women transition from job seekers to job creators by giving them:
- Business planning skills
- Marketing techniques
- Financial literacy
- Exposure visits
- Legal and compliance awareness
- Financial Support and Infrastructure
- Access to microcredit and enterprise loans
- Support for establishing mini production units and demo enterprises
- Average loan support of ₹20,000–₹50,000 per woman beneficiary
- Infrastructure support for SHG-led community businesses
🔷 Market Linkages and Branding
- Connecting SHG products to local markets, fairs, and online platforms
- Facilitating participation in exhibitions and sales outlets
- Brand building support and packaging improvements
🔷 Mentoring & Handholding
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- Ongoing escort services and handholding support for at least 2 years
- Regular follow-ups, group meetings, and review sessions
- Troubleshooting support for business-related issues
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Impact and Reach
Livelihoods - Support through NABARD & GODREJ
- Over 2000 disabled families and hundreds of SHG women have benefited from PEACE’s livelihood initiatives.
- More than 50 SHG groups across Jagdevpur Mandal have been trained and supported under LEDP.
- LEDP implementation by PEACE has led to enhanced household income, women’s empowerment, and local economic development.
- The program has created a network of rural women entrepreneurs with strong local and institutional support systems.
Vision and Philosophy Mr. Nimmaiah’s vision is deeply rooted in simplicity, community empowerment, and sustainability. His leadership style emphasizes grassroots involvement, collective action, and resilience in the face of challenges. His philosophy centers around the holistic upliftment of rural communities through participatory methods, sustainable agricultural practices, and education-based interventions.
– Mr. Nimmaiah, Executive Director, PEACE