Jeevika’s is mandated to increase livelihood security for vulnerable households in the three districts hardest hit by the earthquake: Kutch, Patan and Surendranagar. The project is designed to specifically target the poorest of the poor because, for them, the effect of natural disasters is disproportionately high and debilitating, and can lead to debt dependency, loss of meager resources, and often migration. The project also seeks to strengthen the capacity of rural households to deal with future crises and the day-to-day vulnerabilities faced by the poor.

The specific objectives of Jeevika are to

	Empower and build the capacity of marginalized groups
	Increase livelihood security for economically vulnerable households and diversify their income generating activities
	Strengthen existing membership-based community organizations and promote formation of new such groups to support members’ economic development.
	Improve the productivity of the natural resource base in a sustainable and equitable manner
	Create effective mechanisms to involve communities in decision-making.
	Build the capacity communities to establish and manage their own development projects
	Enhance preparedness of communities and households to cope with natural and social crises.
	Support rural poor social development through savings, insurance and access to credit.

The expected outcomes of Jeevika are ambitious but achievable. By the conclusion of the project, each village will ideally enjoy a clean environment, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and healthy children with no families living below the poverty line.

Broadly the project has six target outcomes

	Economic Development: Three fold increase in income
	Economic Sustainability: Significant decrease in the number of women that are forced to borrow at high interest rates
	Agricultural Development: Villagers will be able to harvest two crops a year
	Fodder Security: Fodder will be available throughout the year
	Asset Ownership by Women: An increased number of women will be self-reliant
	Infant Mortality Rate will be halved

To achieve these objectives, Jeevika has adopted a comprehensive, integrated approach that is designed to place the villagers – the poorest of the poor and women in particular – at the centre of the development process. All planning, implementation and monitoring are demand-driven and conducted by the beneficiaries themselves. The six individual components of this comprehensive, integrated approach are as follows:

	Capacity Building and Stakeholder Empowerment
	Enhancement of Livelihood Systems and Crisis Coping Capability
	Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
	Social Development
	Project Management Activities
	Food Handling

Jeevika’s village-centred and demand-driven model employs a highly decentralized project structure. All project activities are implemented and managed by village-level organizations, such as the village development committees (VDCs), Self-Help Groups (SHG), dairy cooperatives, water user groups, producers’ cooperatives, etc. District associations, comprised of SEWA members in Kutch, Patan and Surendranagar coordinate district activities as a whole and aid villagers in implementation. Support, facilitation and overall project guidance is provided by the Jeevika Project Management Unit, in Ahmedabad.

Technical support in key areas is provided by SEWA’s sister organizations, including SEWA Bank, SEWA Insurance, SEWA Academy, Mahila SEWA Housing Trust, Gram Haat and the Trade Facilitation Centre. Jeevika also has numerous partnerships with consultants and educational institutes, such as the Coady International Institute in Canada, to help staff and villagers build their capacity in specific areas. A Project Review Committee, formed of members from all partners, meets biannually to review progress and maintain accountability.