Events

About BIRD

The Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) is a training, research and consulting facility promoted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in India. Based in Lucknow, the institute has a full-time, highly-qualified and experienced teaching faculty in diverse areas, including microfinance, financial inclusion and Self-Help Groups.

International Training Program on Self-Help Groups

The SHG movement is the flagship financial inclusion program of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Initiated in the 1970s, it is the largest microfinance program worldwide and reaches over 100 million rural households across India. Self-Help Groups are a key instrument in inclusive development in India and, based on this experience, BIRD is offering a one-week, residential course (14-18 January, 2019) at its campus in Lucknow on “SHGs – A Tool for Financial Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment”

Objectives

At the end of the program, the participant will:

1. Understand the main concepts of financial inclusion and women’s empowerment through Savings Groups
2. Understand the main policy issues and challenges in SHG financing
3. Develop a strategy for the development of SHGs in their respective country

Program Content

1. Self-Help Groups – basic concepts, background and history in India, related to financial inclusion and women’s empowerment
2. Public institutions – the Reserve Bank of India, NABARD and the Government of India and their role in financial inclusion and women’s empowerment
3. Financial service providers – the banking system in India and the delivery of formal financial services to SHGs
4. Civil society organizations – the role of non-governmental organizations in financial inclusion
5. Financial inclusion – challenges and the way forward

Methodology
The participative program will include case studies, field visits, group discussion and strategy development.

Target Group
Middle to senior-level staff in public institutions, universities, NGOs and MFIs concerned with financial inclusion, rural development and women’s empowerment.

Cost
$750, including tuition and accommodation

Date
14-18 January, 2019

Venue
Bankers Institute of Rural Development
Sector H, LDA Colony
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
India

Application

Applications and enquiries should be submitted to training.birdlucknow@nabard.org (copied to mr.gopal@nabard.org and kpr.udupa@nabard.org) by December 1, 2018.