Solutions

Issues and Approaches

Find out more about how we are trying to address the problems and our solution models

Problem We Address:

Poverty Is Not Just Economic — It’s Systemic

In many parts of India, poverty is not just the absence of income — it’s the absence of choice, dignity, and opportunity. Women and youth from marginalised communities face deep-rooted barriers:

Women

in rural and low-income areas face multiple challenges: limited mobility, financial exclusion, poor mental health access, lack of decision-making power, and climate vulnerabilities. Exclusion from livelihoods and inadequate nutrition further harm their well-being and that of their families.

Youth

from low-income, rural, and marginalised backgrounds, particularly first-generation learners, encounter major obstacles to accessing quality education. Even after completing college, the lack of strong support systems leaves them with gaps in life skills, digital access, and career guidance for higher education, resulting in unemployment and heightened socio-economic challenges.

Access to Justice, social security, and safety frameworks

exist but remain inaccessible due to a lack of awareness and procedural support.

We see this not as an isolated crisis, but as a cycle that demands holistic, community-rooted change.

Our Solution

A Rights-Based, Community-Led Model of Change

We take a holistic and intersectional approach in addressing the root causes of inequality while building community-led solutions. Our work is grounded in four key focus areas:

Life Skills and Career Readiness

We equip youth with essential life skills, digital literacy, and career pathways. Through workshops, mentorship, and exposure opportunities, participants gain confidence, make informed choices, and prepare for economic independence.

Livelihoods and Financial Inclusion

We empower women through skill-building, entrepreneurship training, and access to financial security schemes via Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Additionally, we assist women farmers and youth in adopting sustainable practices to enhance their livelihoods.

Access to Justice and Social Security

We raise awareness about social security schemes, from workplace safety to identity documentation. Our community centres help individuals access welfare schemes and navigate justice systems with dignity.

Nutrition and Mental Well-being

We are dedicated to promoting nutrition and mental health, raising awareness and providing support to help individuals.

Our Community-Led Approach

From the Margins to the Center

Our approach is participatory, intersectional, and rooted in the lived experiences of those we serve, because poverty for young people and women is not just economic, but a denial of voice, opportunity, and rights. From rural villages to urban informal settlements, we partner with youth and women to co-create sustainable, community-led solutions—whether it’s a woman starting her own business or a young person stepping into her first job.

The ARUNA Model:

Organise

Mobilizing Women and Youth in Marginalized Communities

Equip

Building Knowledge, Skills, and Confidence

Enable

Expanding Access to Opportunities and Systems

Advocate

Driving Systemic Change through Collective Action

Theory of Change

At ARUNA, we believe that lasting change starts when individuals are:

Informed

about their rights, opportunities, and choices.

Equipped

about their rights, opportunities, and choices.

Organised

to lead change, support each other, and hold systems accountable.

By creating safe spaces, nurturing local leadership, and facilitating access to rights and resources, we empower women and youth to transition from vulnerability to voice, from survival to agency.

Sustainability of Impact

We are committed to building long-term, sustainable solutions. Our approach ensures that:

Community Ownership: Our programs enable women and youth to take ownership of the changes, making sure that these improvements continue even after the program ends.
Scalability: Our model is designed to be scalable, reaching more individuals and communities over time through partnerships and community-driven solutions.
Institutional Strengthening: By working with SHGs, local governments, schools, and organisations, we ensure that our interventions contribute to systemic, long-term change.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

We believe in the power of data and continuous learning. Our monitoring and evaluation frameworks track progress, assess the effectiveness of our programs, and allow us to refine our approach.

Our Graduate Aim

Impact we aim for after the program intervention

At Aruna, we envision a future where women and youth are empowered with self-awareness, financial independence, legal literacy, and mental resilience, becoming catalysts for positive change within their communities.

Post-intervention, our people gain:

Essential life skills, core-employability skills, and pathways to higher education.
Access to dignified livelihoods and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Financial literacy and access to justice to navigate systems effectively
Awareness of nutrition, mental well-being, and climate resilience

The Impact

Women and youth emerge as confident, self-reliant changemakers—women enabled through livelihoods and youth equipped with career readiness skills—leading local solutions, advancing equity, and building resilient communities.

Who We Are

Samavesh is a rights-based organisation and grassroots movement committed to inclusion, equity, and opportunity.

We work with marginalised communities to bridge the gap between policy and people, enabling access to social security, education, and livelihoods.

Samavesh Centre

Samavesh Scholars

After-School Program

Samavesh Champions