Capacity building is an ongoing process where the Mission capacitates all its stakeholders for its sustainability in the long run. The Mission fulfills this objective by providing necessary handholding support in the form of trainings and providing required resources to its various stake holders. As the Mission’s activities are varied, the type of trainings offered and services its renders too varies. The three tier organizational system of the Kudumbashree network, the three tier LSGs and the Community Institution Management system involved in various trainings of Kudumbashree network and the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs are capacitated at different levels as per the requirements. In short, the capacity building programmes of Kudumbashree comprises of four elements viz, Organizational Development, Strengthening of Community Based Organizations, Strengthening of Community Supporting Groups and Livelihood Management.

Kudumbashree over the years recognized that the ownership of the community in all the Kudumbashree programmes only would yield result and therefore development of community institution managements in the form of training groups for different purposes in addition to the recognized government and non government organizations has become alive. These Community Training Groups of the Mission takes the form of KAASS, the Accounting and Auditing team of the Kudumbashree network, EKSAT for conducting Entrepreneurship development to motivation, MECs, the master trainers for Kudumbashree livelihood development programmes and specialized training groups like AIFRHM, that would cater the requirements of special livelihood programmes. Main advantage of this kind of training is that mostly trainers are from Kudumbashree’s own group. Kudumbashree members turned trainers are taking class for others. In that way we could reduce the gap between training team and the ultimate beneficiaries and people show more interest to take part in that training.

Kudumbashree is also utilizing the service of other reputed institutions/agencies like IRMA, IIM Kozhikode, IMG, KILA etc for training community as well as Kudumbashree Mission officials. After consulting with the selected institution/agency, the module, training fee and other details will be decided.

Capacity building programmes of Kudumbashree

1.Organizational Development

a.Capacitation of LSGs

In organizational development, Kudumbashree has to capacitate the LSGs to create awareness about various Kudumbashree programmes and the role of CBOs in the effective implementation of not only Kudumbashree programmes but also effective convergence of various plans of LSGs with that of the CDSs. Second, as the Kudumbashree CBOs comes through an election process the formalities associated with it and the responsibilities associated with them should also be delivered. Third, the LSGs have a strong role as Evaluation Committee as the responsibility for effective convergence of resources is vested upon them and to fulfill this responsibility information pertaining to the formulation of CDS plans & its relevance should be rightly communicated. Overall it is vital to ensure the support of the LSGs in implementation of Kudumbashree programmes. Fourth, the LSGs should be motivated to intervene in social development. Skill development trainings for LSGs too should be made for societal development.

2.Capacitation of Kudumbashree CBOs

Building of CBO is the main task undertaking by Kudumbashree. To attain the annual targets and goals set by Mission in a time bound manner, every member of the community network system has to be sensitized about Kudumbashree Programmes. This include training for Community, Representatives of Kudumbashree three tier system, Local body representatives, Kudumbashree and CDS Officials, Community Resource Persons, Training group members etc.

a.Kudumbashree School

Kudumbashree School is a training programme to create awareness among the Kudumbashree NHG members about their social responsibilities, Kudumbashree programes and improve their standard of living through knowledge. Under the programme over 43 lakh Kudumbashree NHG members would be given training on various subjects. The classes will be conducted for a period of 6 weeks where each NHG member should spend 2 hours weekly. There will be a master trainer at the CDS level and 6 trainers at ADS level who will facilitate classes at ward level. . The first phase was conducted successfully in financial year 2017-18.

b.CDS Action Plan

The CDS has the responsibility of preparing the CDS action plan. The preparation of the plan and the role of Evaluation committee should be communicated to the CDS/ADS/ NHGs. Moreover orientation on the importance of convergence of funds and functionaries should be provided.

3.Capacitation of Community Supporting Groups

Kudumbashree has around 19 training groups catering different training purposes of the Kudumbashree network. Constant capacitation of these groups is necessary. The KAASS groups of Kudumbashree would be given training Micro Finance Literacy campaign to ensure the book keeping of Kudumbashree CBOs. In the case of MECs the groups would be given tips on up-to-date management concepts. There are 50,000 Gender Resource persons in the field at various levels. Capacitation of these persons for the effective implementation of GSLP is vital.

4.Capacitation on livelihood management

Kudumbashree is providing support to various Kudumbashree beneficiaries for livelihood development in the form of financial support, infrastructure development and trainings. Trainings to entrepreneurs comprised of two parts, first for the existing MEs and second for the new ones which includes general orientation training, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes, Skill Trainings, Performance Improvement Programmes etc.