Micro Enterprise Resource Centres; The second phase of training programmes completed Updated On 2024-01-12
The second phase of trainings in connection with the activities of Kudumbashree Block Level Micro Enterprise Resource Centres (MERCs) has been completed. MERCs, which are mechanisms for increasing employment and income opportunities for NHG women and ensuring support including financial assistance and technical training, have been started in 13 blocks till now.
The training was provided to 253 persons including Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants, CDS Chairpersons, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Livelihood Committee Conveners, District Programme Managers and Block Co-ordinators in these blocks. The training was organized in six batches starting from 7 December 2023 to 5 January 2024.
MERCs are a single window system for coordinating and expediting livelihood activities at block level. Call Centre and Help Desk are also attached to MERCs. Kudumbashree started the first MERC in March 2023 at Nedumangad of Thiruvananthapuram district. MERC operations were also started in Idukki (Azhutha), Kottayam (Pallam) and Kasaragod (Kasaragod) districts on the same day itself.
At present, MERCs are functioning in Chadayamangalam (Kollam), Konni (Pathanamthitta), Muthukulam (Alappuzha), Kothamangalam (Ernakulam), Ollukkara (Thrissur), Alathoor (Palakkad), Vandoor (Malappuram), Vadakara (Kasaragod) and Thalassery (Kannur). Kudumbashree aims to set up MERCs in 30 more blocks during this financial year.
Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree interacted with the participants of the training programme. Shri. Ranjith Keshav, Corporate Trainer, provided expert training on the topics of enterprise formation, enterprise development and marketing. Shri. A.S. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Ms Suchithra S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree gave classes on MERCs. Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Team led the training programme.