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Impact Report
Skill Development Programme - 2017
Year: 2017
🏷️
Livelihood & Economic Empowerment
Programme at a Glance
₹
1,06,590
Budget Used
3,225
Total Reach
◎
645
Direct Beneficiaries
2,580
Indirect Beneficiaries
↗
1 : 4
Multiplier Effect
Executive Summary
The Skill Development Programme (2017) was launched by The Dream Welfare Society to address the widening employability gap among youth and women in urban slum communities. Despite national initiatives like Digital India and Make in India, a large segment of the informal workforce lacked market-relevant skills. With a lean budget of ₹1,06,590, the programme trained 300 individuals through short, intensive micro-skilling courses in basic computing, mobile repairing, and textile handicrafts. The assessment confirms an exceptional cost efficiency of ₹355 per trainee, achieved through community partnerships and volunteer-led training. The programme delivered a direct impact on 645 individuals (trainees and their dependents) and an indirect impact on 2,580 community members, creating a strong ripple effect of income generation, confidence, and aspiration across four urban slum clusters.
Key Findings
- Short-duration micro-courses outperform long-term diplomas for the urban poor
- Skills aligned with local micro-markets deliver immediate earning potential
- Confidence gain is as important as technical skill acquisition
- Women’s participation leads to measurable improvements in household stability
- Asset-light, community-based models maximize cost efficiency
Project Snapshot
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Skill Development Programme - 2017 |
| Year | 2017 |
| Budget | ₹ 1,06,590 |
| Direct Impact | 645 |
| Indirect Impact | 2,580 |
| Total Reach | 3,225 |
Challenges & Learnings
Challenges
- Frequent maintenance needs of second-hand training equipment
- Retention of skilled trainers due to higher private-sector salaries
- Ensuring consistent attendance among economically stressed trainees
Learnings
- Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) are critical for hardware sustainability
- Alumni-as-trainers improve retention and contextual relevance
- Pop-up skill centers within walking distance maximize female participation
Methodology
- Audit of attendance logs, batch files, and expenditure records
- Tracer study of 10% of trainees three months post-training
- Interviews with local shopkeepers and service users
- Observation-based evaluation of pedagogy (hands-on vs theoretical)
- Data synthesis to calculate direct and indirect multiplier effects
Impact Analysis
- Extension of mobile device life through repair skills
- Reduction in electronic waste disposal
- Promotion of repair-over-replace practices
Conclusion
The Skill Development Programme (2017) stands as a powerful example of how small, focused, and compassionate interventions can generate enduring socio-economic change. With an investment of ₹1,06,590, the programme empowered 300 individuals, stabilized 645 lives, and indirectly uplifted nearly 2,600 community members. By converting idle potential into productive skills, the initiative reaffirmed that poverty is not a lack of ability, but a lack of opportunity—and that opportunity, when provided thoughtfully, can transform entire neighborhoods.
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