North Eastern Region Livelihood Project

The North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project for Upland Areas (NERLP), more commonly known as the North Eastern Region Livelihood Project, was a major developmental initiative launched by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. Implemented between 2012 and 2021, the project was supported by the World Bank and aimed at enhancing livelihoods, reducing poverty, and improving community institutions in some of the most remote and underdeveloped areas of Northeast India.
The project sought to promote inclusive economic growth, focusing particularly on women, unemployed youth, and marginalised rural communities across several northeastern states.

Background and Objectives

The northeastern region of India—comprising eight states—is characterised by rich natural resources, ethnic diversity, and unique cultural heritage, but also faces geographical isolation, limited infrastructure, and socio-economic challenges. Recognising the region’s potential and the need for participatory development, the Government of India initiated the NERLP in collaboration with the World Bank in 2012.
The project’s overarching goal was to improve the livelihoods of rural households in selected districts through community-based and market-driven approaches. Its specific objectives included:

• Enhancing livelihood opportunities and reducing poverty among rural communities.
• Empowering women and vulnerable groups through self-help groups (SHGs) and microenterprise promotion.
• Strengthening community institutions for sustainable resource management.
• Promoting skills development and entrepreneurship among rural youth.
• Supporting sustainable natural resource management and improving access to markets and financial services.

Geographical Coverage

The NERLP was implemented in four northeastern states:

1. Mizoram
2. Nagaland
3. Sikkim
4. Tripura

Within these states, the project covered eleven districts, targeting approximately 300,000 households across more than 1,600 villages. These districts were chosen based on socio-economic indicators, upland geography, and the presence of tribal and marginalised communities.

Project Components

The NERLP comprised four major components designed to address multiple dimensions of rural development and livelihood enhancement:

1. Social Empowerment:
   • Focused on building strong community-based institutions such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Development Councils (VDCs), and Youth Groups.
   • Encouraged women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles.
   • Strengthened local governance through capacity-building and participatory planning.
2. Economic Empowerment:
   • Supported livelihood promotion through micro-enterprises, agriculture, livestock rearing, and non-farm activities.
   • Facilitated access to credit, financial literacy, and market linkages.
   • Promoted sustainable agricultural practices and value-chain development for products such as spices, fruits, bamboo, and handloom.
3. Community Capacity Building:
   • Developed local institutions capable of managing development resources efficiently.
   • Conducted training programmes for entrepreneurship, financial management, and natural resource conservation.
4. Project Management:
   • Ensured effective coordination, monitoring, and evaluation through Project Management Units at both state and district levels.
   • Emphasised transparency, accountability, and community participation in all activities.

Key Achievements

The NERLP made significant contributions to the socio-economic upliftment of rural communities in the participating states. Some of its key outcomes include:

• Formation of over 20,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with a majority of women members.
• Mobilisation of around 180,000 households into community-based organisations.
• Establishment of micro-enterprises and community investment funds to support local economic activities.
• Creation of employment and income-generating opportunities for rural youth through skill development and entrepreneurship programmes.
• Improved access to microfinance and market facilities for rural producers.
• Enhanced agricultural productivity through sustainable and climate-resilient farming techniques.
• Strengthening of community governance systems, leading to better local-level planning and resource management.

The project also promoted inclusivity, ensuring participation from women, tribal groups, and other disadvantaged communities, thereby fostering social cohesion and gender equity.

Institutional Structure and Implementation

The project was implemented through a multi-tiered institutional framework:

• National Level: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) served as the nodal agency for policy direction and overall coordination.
• State Level: Each participating state had a State Project Management Unit (SPMU) responsible for implementing project components in coordination with line departments and community organisations.
• District and Community Levels: District Project Management Units (DPMUs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)—such as SHGs, Village Councils, and Producer Groups—executed field-level activities.

Technical assistance, financial support, and monitoring were provided by the World Bank, ensuring adherence to global standards in project management, community participation, and transparency.

Role in Women’s Empowerment

A defining feature of the NERLP was its focus on women’s empowerment through social and economic inclusion. Women were encouraged to form and lead Self-Help Groups, which facilitated access to credit, training, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Through SHGs and federations, women were able to:

• Manage savings and microcredit operations.
• Undertake small-scale businesses such as weaving, food processing, and handicrafts.
• Gain confidence and representation in local governance institutions.

This empowerment model significantly improved women’s socio-economic status and contributed to greater household stability and decision-making power.

Impact on Youth and Entrepreneurship

The project placed strong emphasis on skill development for unemployed rural youth, enabling them to engage in productive livelihoods both within and outside their communities. Training programmes were conducted in sectors such as:

• Hospitality and tourism
• Handloom and handicrafts
• Agro-processing and horticulture
• Livestock management
• Retail and small business management

These initiatives helped bridge the gap between education and employability, fostering self-reliance among the youth.

Sustainability and Legacy

The NERLP concluded in March 2021, but its institutional framework and community structures have continued under various state-led initiatives. The project demonstrated the success of community-driven development (CDD) in the northeastern context, showing how local participation and decentralised decision-making can yield sustainable outcomes.
The lessons learned from NERLP have informed newer programmes such as the North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP-II) and the North East Rural Economic Development Project (NEREDP), both of which aim to consolidate and expand upon its achievements.

Broader Significance

The North Eastern Region Livelihood Project represented an important shift in India’s approach to regional development, combining livelihood promotion, social inclusion, and institutional strengthening within a single framework. It highlighted how participatory models can address the unique socio-economic challenges of remote, ecologically sensitive, and ethnically diverse regions.