The SEWA Manager’s School began in 2005 as a capacity building institution within SEWA with the goal of facilitating economic self-sustainability through building a cadre of grassroots managers.
The objective of SMS is two-fold: the capacity of members will be developed thereby building the capacity of member’s own economic institutions. In recent years, SEWA has put a new emphasis on economic self-sustainability, and therefore, a focus on developing the organizational capacities of District Associations (which are independent, member-run economic organizations) has been paramount. The increase in organizational capacity of District Associations would enable them to increase revenues, improve quality of and increase types of training programs offered, increase amount of revolving fun available for micro-lending and allow District Associations to move towards financial self-sustainability
Management capacity building addresses the needs of team leaders and coordinators who in turn use the acquired knowledge to more effectively manage member-run organizations like district associations. SMS is continuing to develop programs targeted towards strengthening member’s institutions. Emphases include developing and negotiating private sector partnerships, federating Self-Help Groups, transparency in documentation procedures and strengthening skills in financial and management related arenas.
SMS training programs target members who are grassroots leaders and organizers. Within the SEWA membership, leaders and organizers are identified by fellow members who stand out due to their leadership potential. These members then undergo further training in leadership skills and then take up positions within the member-led organizations. The fact that leaders are nominated by members themselves allows for ownership and accountability within member organizations.
SMS has collaborated with many national and international organizations to develop and conduct programs. The manager’s school has worked with faculty from the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad as well as the Ahmedabad Management Association. SMS has also teamed with the FAU (Gujarat Agriculture University), Apollo Hospital and Wagad Hospital Kutch. Additionally, community-development projects in the Northeastern states have been developed in conjunction with the Governments of India (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) as well as the State Governments of Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam and Arunachal. SEWA additionally collaborates with the State Government of Rajasthan and has expanded its activities to this area (in the area of assessment and baseline capacity building).
Internationally, an ongoing project in which SMS is engaged is the collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan in the detailed design of a support program for women’s organizations in the region. SMS is also involved with organizations in Sri Lanka and IFAD in the Asia-Pacific region.
News & Events
05.12.06
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