Jeevika targets the poorest of the poor by working with the community to identify its poorest members, assess their needs, challenges and assets and centre the development process on them. The poorest are specifically included in the planning, implementing and monitoring of community projects. This is done to ensure that the needs and concerns of the poorest are addressed; their voices are heard; and they are included in the decision-making processes.
In line with Jeevika's participatory process, each community identifies for itself who amongst them are the poorest of the poor based on collectively derived criteria of poverty. Examples of these criteria include:
- Income to dependent ratio
- Number of meals per day
- Women-headed households
- Asset base (land, cattle, shelter etc.)
- Number of days of full employment per year
- Infant mortality rate
- Access to medical treatment
- Discrimination on basis of caste
- Individuals who are physically handicapped
Once the criteria have been established, the JSM compiles a comprehensive list of poor families in the village. Jeevika field staff then visit these households to conduct in-depth interviews and capture an understanding of what makes that specific family more vulnerable and what factors make them prone to risk. The profiles developed from these interviews are used to ensure that project initiatives address these specific factors that make the poorest families prone to risk.
The cornerstone of Jeevika is the participatory micro-planning process. The process, which makes use of many techniques from Participatory Rural Appraisal, has three overarching objectives.
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To determine priorities and develop a phased timeline for action. At this point in the process, all the information collected above is assembled, compiled and presented to the village by the JSM through another gram sabha. Villagers then prioritise project activities and develop a village work plan, which includes the villagers' capacity building and training requirements. This work-plan is regularly reviewed and refined throughout the project period.
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The entire microplanning process on average takes five days to complete. At the end of the process, many villagers are surprised by the results.
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The microplanning process can be an empowering experience that helps villagers to realize the inherent strength of their community.
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