With the aim of providing free vocational skill training and employment to the youth in rural areas, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) scheme implemented in the state through Kudumbashree has so far provided employment to 45,341 youths. 621 people have also found employment abroad. Till date, 77,965 people have completed training through the scheme.
                    
The beneficiaries of the scheme are young men and women between the ages of 18-35 in rural areas. Currently, more than 100 attractive new generation courses are being conducted in 33 sectors. The free provision of study materials, uniforms and hostel facilities to those selected as beneficiaries of the scheme and the guaranteed employment are attracting many people to the scheme.

Through the DDU-GKY scheme, 932 beneficiaries of the 'Ashraya' scheme, who are members of poor families, were provided with job training and 457 were provided with jobs. In addition, 19,356 people belonging to the Scheduled Castes were provided with training and 9,544 people were provided with jobs. 4,947 people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes were trained and out of them 2,252 people were also provided with jobs.

Under the DDU-GKY scheme, skill training is being provided to the youth of the coastal region in courses related to the port sector. For this, the 'Sagarmala' Scheme is also being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports. Through this scheme, 269 people have completed the training and 159 people have got employment.

As part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes have been established in 14 districts in collaboration with leading banks. In the last 9 years, 92,823 beneficiaries and 61,842 people belonging to the BPL category in rural areas have been trained in 3,403 batches through the lead banks in charge of this. Self-employment training has been provided. Out of this, 78,832 people have been provided employment in the self-employment and wage-based employment sectors and 74,555 people have been provided employment in the self-employment sector alone.

In Kerala, many people have also been provided employment through the 'Unnathi' Scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and the Employment Guarantee Mission.

The Kudumbashree State Level Award Selection Workshop, which began on 21 April 2025 at KILA Headquarters, Mulangunnathukavu Thrissur, has concluded. Presentations of the contestants for the primary election were organized in front of the sub-committees formed on a topic basis until 24 April 2025. The final selection was held on 25 April 2025.

The final selection was conducted by a panel comprising P.K. Sainaba, Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree, T.V. Anupama IAS, Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala, H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Syam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree. The awards will be distributed on Kudumbashree Day, 17 May 2025.

Awards will be given in a total of 17 categories. Awards will be given for Best NHG, ADS, Ooru Samithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Gender Help Desk, District that has conducted public relations activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration - Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC).

A three-day state-level training for the trainers as part of the 'Mind Blowers Liora Fest' District-Level Summer Camps organized by Kudumbashree for Balasabha members, has begun at Animation Centre, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram on 24 April 2025. Fifty people, including selected Balasabha Resource Persons from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Kozhikode districts and experts from various fields were trained. Trainers selected from the remaining districts will be provided training at the Community Development Centre in Ernakulam on the 28-30 April 2025.

In this regard, a special training module prepared under the leadership of Kudumbashree was released jointly by Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Arun P. Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and Tony Jose, Senior Manager, Udhyam Learning Foundation.

The presentations for the Kudumbashree State Level Award 2025 have been completed. The presentations for the Best District Mission and Best Public Relations District awards were held at the Kudumbashree Award State Level Selection Workshop held at KILA Headquarters, Mulangunnathukavu, Thrissur on 24 April 2025.

Awards will be given in a total of 17 categories. Awards will be given for Best NHG, ADS, Ooru Samithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Gender Help Desk, District that has conducted public relations activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC). The award distribution will also be organized on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day.

The five Premium Cafe Restaurants under Kudumbashree, which have captivated food lovers by serving a variety of flavors, have earned an income of Rs. five crores. The women entrepreneurs have achieved a lot within a year of starting their operations. This success is recorded from the five Premium Cafe Restaurants started under Kudumbashree in the state in the districts of Thrissur (Guruvayur), Ernakulam (Angamaly), Wayanad (Meppadi), Pathanamthitta (Panthalam) and Kannur. Of these, Guruvayur generated a turnover of Rs. 1,74,93,028 and  Angamaly generated Rs. 1,49,39,825. Whereas Meppadi generated Rs. 82,03,485. Pathanamthitta generated a turnover of Rs. 59,63,620 and Kannur generated a turnover of Rs. 61,60,979.

In the first phase of the project, the Premium Cafe Restaurant chain was launched in Angamaly of Ernakulam district last year. Later, it was started in Meppadi of Wayanad district and Guruvayur of Thrissur district. As part of the second phase of Premium Cafe activities, Premium Restaurants were also started in Kottayam (Kuravilangad), Kozhikode (Koyilandy), Kasaragod, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Premium Cafe gained great acceptance due to its excellent infrastructure, quality and diverse food resources and services. With this, the project was expanded to other districts as well. The operation of Premium Cafe Restaurants is led by excellent women entrepreneurs working in the canteen catering sector. Cooking, food distribution, billing, cleaning, parcel service, etc. are all done by women.

The aim of setting up a Premium Cafe network across the state is to modernize enterprises and ensure sustainable income for entrepreneurs. Currently, the project is helping to ensure better employment and income for more than two hundred women. All Premium Cafes have the best modern facilities including culinary diversity, basic facilities, food delivery, parcel service, catering, online services, cleanliness, and better waste management facilities. The project is also helping entrepreneurs achieve greater professionalism.

A product marketing stall led by Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission is set up at the Thrissur Pooram Exhibition in conjunction with Thrissur Pooram. Xavier Chittilappillly, MLA, Vadakkancherry Constituency inaugurated the marketing stall on 19 April 2025. Dr. U Saleel, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function. 

Kudumbashree branded chips, curry powders, cereal powders, various types of pickles, sweets, Naruneendi passion fruit, gooseberry and bird's eye chilly syrups, Chutney powders, homemade beauty products, Kuthampully handloom clothes, Kodassery Kottamala special honey, handmade soaps, toiletries, etc. produced by NHGs are available at the marketing stall. The marketing fair is led by micro-enterprise consultants who co-ordinate Kudumbashree's livelihood activities at the field level.

K. Radhakrishnan, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Sobhu Narayanan, Vijaya Krishnan. R, Deepu. K Uthaman, District Programme Managers, Block Co-ordinators, Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) and members of the NHG community participated.

The presentation of the contestants at the Kudumbashree State Level Award Selection Workshop being organized at KILA Headquarters, Mulangunnathkavu, Thrissur will be completed on 24 April 2025. On the third day (23 April 2025) of the workshop that began on 21 April 2025, presentations were made to determine the awards for Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Non-Farm Livelihood - ME, DDUGKY, K-DISC), Best Auxiliary Enterprise, Best Snehitha and Best ADS.

Presentations for the Awards for the Best District Mission and the District that carried out Best Public Relations are being held today. The award selection activities will continue till 26 April 2025. The award distribution will also be organized on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day.

Awards will be given in a total of 17 categories. Awards will be given for Best NHG, ADS, Ooru Samithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Gender Help Desk, District that has conducted public relations activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC).

Kudumbashree 'Communicore', the project envisioned to improve the English competence of the children and youth from the indigenous areas started. The project will be launched in the first phase in areas where Kudumbashree is implementing the Scheduled Tribe Special Projects or Scheduled Tribe Sustainable Development Projects such as Malai Pandaram Special Project in Pathanamthitta, Marayoor-Kanthalloor Special Project in Idukki, Kuttampuzha Special Project in Ernakulam, Kadar Special Project in Thrissur, Nilambur Special Project in Malappuram, Parambikulam Special Project in Palakkad, Attappady Special Project in Palakkad, Kodenchery Special Project- Kozhikode, Thirunelli & Noolpuzha Special Project in Wayanad, Aralam Special Project in Kannur, Koraga Special Project in Kasargod districts.

The activities of Communicore are planned in such a way as to help each and every participant in the training to maximize their language skills, bridging the language proficiency gap and thereby enable them access quality education, secure better jobs, contribute to social and economic development and participate in the global economy.

The learning medium of Malayalam and English creates significant barriers for indigenous students.This linguistic mismatch has contributed to a decrease in the representation of the local populace in the education sector. Overcoming this persistent crisis is essential for the overall development of the current and future generations in the local community. To overcome this crisis, Kudumbashree launched this programme.

Kudumbashree is cultivating 20,647 hectares of land in the state. This amount of land is being cultivated by 4,32,667 women of 94,594 farmer groups comprising NHG members. Paddy, various types of vegetables and fruits are the main crops. In addition, small grains (millets), herbs and watermelon are also cultivated depending on the season. Kudumbashree has made remarkable progress in the field of agriculture in the last nine years through sustainable farming. This achievement is due to the expansion of agriculture to more areas by developing diverse income-generating projects. With the availability of good income, more farmers have entered this field.
                                                       
Kudumbashree is implementing several projects to find better livelihoods and increase income from agriculture and allied sectors. 855 Jaivika Plant Nurseries that produce quality seedlings and seeds to consumers and 135 Nature's Fresh Kiosks to provide quality fruits and vegetables are operating in the state. Another project is the formation of producer groups. 880 have been formed in this regard. By collecting, diversifying and marketing agricultural produce, 17,600 members are able to ensure good income generation. In addition, 4,097 agricultural enterprises, 75 integrated farming clusters, small, medium and smart scale value added units, bio pharmacy units and green carpet units are also functioning.
 
Kudumbashree also implements various agricultural projects such as Punarjeevanam-Agricultural Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme, Drone Didi, 'Nirappolima' and 'Onakani' targeting the Onam market. There are also 30.3 lakh agricultural nutrition gardens in the state as part of the cultivation and production of nutritious vegetables and fruits required by NHG families at home.

Kudumbashree women have also entered into agricultural methods using technology.  As part of the Agro-Ecological Practices Project, training was given to 5,72,167 women farmers. Drone training was also provided as part of smart farming, which was a new step in the agricultural sector. In addition, the K-Agri Business Nest project was also launched to provide agricultural entrepreneurship training to college students. Kudumbashree has also acquired about 180 new technologies for things including increasing agricultural production and marketing. This will also be very helpful for farmers.

Farmers have also benefited from the sale of their produce. Last Onam, vegetable cultivation was done on 6,797 acres as part of the 'Onakani' scheme. An income of Rs. 7.8 crores was received from the sale of agricultural produce.Flower cultivation done on 1,281 acres through the 'Nirappolima' scheme implemented in connection with Onam also yielded good income for the farmers. Rs. 2.98 crores was received from this.

The Kudumbashree Award Selection Workshop is in progress at KILA Headquarters at Mulagunnathukavu of Thrissur. Presentations for the Best Entrepreneur, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Best CDS (Convergence activities, Unique Activities, Governance-Microfinance Activities), and Best CDS (Tribal) Awards were organized on the second day at five venues.

The presentations of 14 entrepreneurs who were selected as the best entrepreneurs from each district were notable on the second day of the workshop. The list of entrepreneurs who made a difference in the presentations included an entrepreneur who made medicinal kohl and other products representing Alappuzha district, an entrepreneur who runs a day care centre and represented Kannur district, a mural painting entrepreneur from Wayanad, and an entrepreneur who produces many products from puttu powder to payasam from moringa leaves.

On the third day of the workshop, the presentations for the awards for Best CDS (Agricultural Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Non-Agricultural Livelihood - ME, DDU-GKY, K-DISC), Best Auxiliary Enterprise, Best Snehitha, and Best ADS were held. The award selection process will continue till 26 April 2025. The award distribution will be organized on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day.

Awards will be given for Best Neighborhood Group, ADS, Oorusamithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Snehitha Gender Help Desk, District that has carried out best Public Relations activities, Best District Mission, Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration- Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities) and Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC). Therefore, Awards are given in 17 various categories.