This project empowered women in rural Madhya Pradesh through livelihood development, self-help groups, and leadership training while providing emergency food assistance to vulnerable families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With support from IDS, Samavesh strengthened women's social and economic empowerment across 30 villages in Harda District, Madhya Pradesh. Through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), approximately 400 women developed sustainable livelihoods by engaging in activities such as farming, goat and buffalo rearing, tailoring, grocery shops, flour mills, and organic kitchen gardening. The program also fostered leadership, financial independence, and community participation, enabling women to become active agents of change within their villages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the women's groups demonstrated remarkable resilience by supporting one another and their communities. They donated vegetables to vulnerable families, provided food on credit through local grocery stores, stitched and distributed free face masks, and raised awareness about health, sanitation, and government support programs. To address the growing food crisis, IDS also supported the distribution of food ration kits to 400 families across 25 villages, providing essential supplies to nearly 1,100 individuals affected by the lockdown. By combining livelihood development with emergency relief and community leadership, the project strengthened economic resilience, improved food security, and empowered women to play a leading role in supporting their families and communities during times of crisis.