MEPMA signs three MoUs to improve livelihood of urban SHGs

Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) Director N. Tej Bharat on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) signed MoUs with three organisations to strengthen sustainable livelihood, promote eco-entrepreneurship and advance environmental stewardship among urban Self-Help Groups (SHG) across Andhra Pradesh.

A partnership deal was signed with Ecolastic Products Pvt. Ltd. to build a decentralised ecosystem for the distribution and future manufacturing of compostable products by SHG women. With support from Ecolastic, the initiative targets income generation of ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 per month per SHG woman and envisions district-level factory setups upon achieving scale, aligning with the “One Family, One Entrepreneur” mission.

The second MoU was signed with AE Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Bio Elite). This collaboration empowers SHG women to become eco-entrepreneurs by distributing certified compostable water bottles. The initiative supports the enforcement of the plastic ban and is expected to benefit over 300 SHGs across the State, with potential monthly sales of ₹15–20 lakh per 1 lakh population and 10% profit margins for SHG members.

The third collaborative deal is with City of Terrace Gardens (CTG) to promote home composting and terrace/kitchen gardening among urban SHG women across 123 Urban Local Bodies in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative aims to train SHG members, facilitate five lakh plantations and promote zero-waste practices, contributing to environmental sustainability and SHG-led green entrepreneurship.