The success of our two year PAHAL pilot project in Jharkhand, India has enabled us to secure a grant from the Big Lottery Fund for a five year project that will support 6,000 tribal women to build a better future for their families.

"The self-help group (SHG) has helped me and my family so much. Now we have nutritious food to eat and to share with others." Joba, Jharkhand, India

Joba is an enterprising young woman. A couple of years ago, she borrowed Rs 5,000 (£60) from an SHG set by FYF partner network PAHAL.

She bought a pig and farming inputs like manure. The manure has increased her crop yields meaning her family has more to eat. She is now producing a surplus that she sells in the local market. This has boosted her family income so she can afford to buy necessities such as soap, school materials and medicines - items that she often struggled to afford before.

Adivasi families in Jharkhand experience hunger for several months a year, are vulnerable to disease and have limited opportunities to improve their lives. The situation for adivasi women is particularly difficult as they are discriminated against on account of their tribal status and their gender.

For the past two years FYF has been working with 1,500 women like Joba, supporting them to improve their food security, gain access to proper health care and develop the confidence to make sure their voices are heard at a local and national level.

The Big Lottery Fund - Investing in a better future

With the Big Lottery Fund's support we will now be able to support even more women to build a better future.

BLF has awarded us a grant of £467,680 to work with 6,000 women in four districts of Jharkhand over the course of five years. The project will also indirectly benefit the families of these women, namely 24,690 women, men and children from the project area.

By also providing training in leadership and advocacy skills SHG members will develop the confidence to campaign on issues that matter to them, such as improved health services.

What can you do?

This success would not have been possible without our supporters - your generous donations gave us the flexibility we need to start pilot projects like PAHAL.....

....and the success of this pilot project contributed to the success of BLF application. Thank you!

Take a look at this video to learn more:

Visit our blog for a reflection on pilot projects and participation.