National Workshop on Urban Livelihoods organised by MoHUA in collaboration with UNDP
Workshop witnesses deliberations on emerging trends and opportunities in urban
livelihoods
Features discussions focusing on enabling strategies to foster women-led urban
livelihoods
A two-day national workshop convened in Ranchi, Jharkhand, from February
15-16, 2024, under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NULM), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in
collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
With participation from about 150 delegates from across the
country, the workshop served as a platform for high-level deliberations on
emerging trends and opportunities in urban livelihoods, with a primary focus on
bolstering resilience and empowerment for women across urban India.
Participants included Directors of the State Urban Livelihoods Mission, senior
officials from MoHUA and Jharkhand state government, senior officials from UNDP
India, leading sector experts, and representatives from research institutions,
start-ups, philanthropies, and donor organizations.
The event featured multiple panel discussions
focusing on enabling strategies to foster women-led urban livelihoods and
emerging sectors and types of enterprises in climate, services, retail, and
manufacturing. It also explored other themes like the Multidimensional Poverty
Index (NMPI) and the role of philanthropies in addressing issues of urban
poverty through identifying priority areas and innovative financial
investments.
The workshop served as a platform for states to share the best practices
concerning women-led urban livelihoods and economic enhancement, facilitating
peer learning and replication of successful models by other states.
During the event, Rahul Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MoHUA, introduced the
concept of urban care models that provide care infrastructure and services for
the urban poor, thereby enhancing their access to livelihood opportunities and
fostering environments conducive to the well-being of young children and
caregivers. He said, “Urban planning goes hand in hand with care planning. We
need a holistic approach to tackling the problem of urban poverty. Care
philosophy must be integrated into city design, fostering infrastructure that
supports women, children, and the elderly, and ensures a safe city for all.
Building a conducive environment for women at home and the workplace will also
improve the participation of women in the labour force.”
Speaking at the event, Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative of UNDP
India said, “As part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDG 11-
Sustainable Cities and Communities, recognizes the unique challenges cities
face and emphasizes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban
development. National and State, Urban Livelihood Missions, are critical to
advancing this goal by ensuring access to basic services, affordable housing,
and improved living conditions for all urban residents, especially the
marginalized and women. UNDP looks forward to working with DAY-NULM to address urban
poverty through livelihood promotion strategies and tailored solutions for communities.”
DAY-NULM
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India on
September 24th, 2013, aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban
poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled
wage employment opportunities, resulting in an appreciable improvement in their
livelihoods on a sustainable basis, through building strong grassroots level
institutions of the poor. The mission aims to provide shelters equipped with
essential services to the urban homeless. In addition, the Mission also
addresses the livelihood concerns of the urban street vendors by facilitating
access to suitable spaces, institutional credit, social security, etc.
UNDP India
UNDP has been working
in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the
Government of India and development partners, it works towards eradicating
poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing
community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives
and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.