The project aims at empowering the highly marginalized Janajatis (HMJs) through improved livelihoods, strengthening the capacity of their Indigenous People's Organizations (IPO) and through increased awareness of their own cultural and political rights. These activities are in line with the government policy of social inclusion and poverty reduction as mentioned in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2002-2007), which explicitly states that one of the four pillars of the Tenth Five Year Plan is social inclusion and targeted programs. Empowering Highly Marginalized Janajatis will contribute to the government's efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal by 2015 A.D.
The main thrust of the project is to increase awareness and capacity of HMJs to assert their rights to identity, Increased household income of HMJs through diversification of income opportunities and building on their indigenous skills and knowledge. Improved access of HMJs to basic services (health, education and natural resources) and Enchanced capacity of Indigenous People's Organisations (IPOs) for protection, promotion and fulfilment of their rights through policy dialogue (formulation, implementation and monitoring) |