Integrated Mobilisation of People for Active Community Transformation (IMPACT)

The Integrated Mobilisation of People for Active Community Transformation (IMPACT) Project works with communities in 3 Terai districts: Rupandehi, Kapilbastu and Parasi. The project supports people to recover from leprosy, obtain sustainable livelihoods and increase their inclusion in society.

36 self-help groups (SHGs) supporting over 700 people have been established under the IMPACT project. Through SHGs, people with leprosy, disability and other marginalised people learn important finance, organisation and business skills that will help them to develop sustainable livelihoods. The IMPACT project has supported the SHGs to not only learn the necessary skills to develop small businesses but have supported groups with small loans and taught them to save amongst themselves. As a result, many SHGs are now able to provide small loans to their members, rather than rely on external sources for loans.

As the SHGs have become independent, the project supported them to merge into cooperatives where they are now establishing larger and more sustainable businesses.

In addition, the project provides social education to cooperative members to increase their knowledge of good health practices and encourage members to identify social concerns and actions they can take to address these.  Additionally, the project supports the groups to develop strategies to adapt to climate change impacts.  As the location of the groups are in a flood prone area, the project supports groups to be better prepared for disasters and support each other with relief post disasters.

The IMPACT project’s support of the SHGs has resulted in many people with increased self-confidence, improved livelihoods, meaningful employment, and increased inclusion in their communities.