Formation and Bank Linkage of WSHS’

During the financial year 2025–26, SHALAR Foundation facilitated the formation and bank linkage of two Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) in Rayagada Block of Rayagada District, Odisha. The initiative was undertaken to promote women’s collective action, financial inclusion, savings habits, and access to formal banking services.The two WSHGs formed and linked with the bank were Maa Durga SHG at Sanakutuli village under Kutuli GP and Maa Nilamma SHG at Jagannathpur village under Pitamahal GP.

Objectives: The major objectives of formation and bank linkage of the WSHGs were:

• To organize women into strong and sustainable Self-Help Groups.
• To promote regular savings and thrift among group members.
• To facilitate access to formal banking and financial services.
• To develop financial management and record-keeping practices among women.
• To strengthen women’s participation in livelihood and income-generating activities.
• To improve financial inclusion and encourage women to become economically empowered.
• To create a platform for collective decision-making and mutual support among women.

Formation of the WSHGs :

SHALAR Foundation facilitated the process of mobilizing women from the respective villages and encouraged them to come together as Self-Help Groups. The members were oriented about the importance of group formation, regular meetings, savings, internal lending, record maintenance, and collective decision making. Accordingly, the following two WSHGs were formed:

Maa Durga SHG :  Maa Durga SHG was formed at Sanakutuli village under Kutuli Gram Panchayat in Rayagada Block of Rayagada District. The group was promoted with the objective of bringing women together for collective savings, financial management, and future livelihood development.

Maa Nilamma SHG : Maa Nilamma SHG was formed at Jagannathpur village under Pitamahal Gram Panchayat in Rayagada Block of Rayagada District. The group was established to promote collective savings, financial inclusion, and livelihood opportunities among women members.

Bank Linkage :

SHALAR Foundation facilitated the bank linkage of both WSHGs with Indian Bank, Rayagada. The linkage process enabled the groups to connect with the formal banking system and strengthened their access to financial services.The bank linkage is an important step towards building the financial sustainability of the WSHGs. It provides a foundation for regular savings, secure management of group funds, access to institutional credit, and future livelihood and income generating activities.

Both Maa Durga SHG and Maa Nilamma SHG were successfully linked with Indian Bank, Rayagada, with facilitation and support from SHALAR Foundation.