ANDHRA PRADESH DISTRICT POVERTY INITIATIVES PROJECT

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The Andhra Pradesh District Poverty Initiatives Project for India aims to improve opportunities for the rural poor to meet priority social and economic needs in the six poorest districts of Andhra Pradesh. There are three main components. The first funds capacity building for new or existing self-managed community-based organizations. Specifically, it helps form and develop common interest groups and self-help groups, and their support organizations; provides information, education, and communications support including awareness building campaigns and demonstrations in village communities on issues affecting social and/or economic activities of interest to the rural poor; aids capacity building of local governing councils to improve micro-planning, financial management, and sensitization to the needs of the poor; promotes skill enhancement for participating staff and nongovernmental organizations; and introduces a pilot program linking local groups to banking institutions. The second component funds demand-driven sub-projects which will improve access to public social services; generate income through investments; and build facilities like community halls, school facilities, connector roads, and water supply and waste disposal systems. The third component finances a package of inter-related activities involving both non-formal and formal education which addresses the twin problems of child labor, especially girl child laborers, and high school drop-out rates.