In the early nineties a community led Poverty Identification Format was developed as part of the Alappuzha Urban Basic Services for thePoor Programme. By this time NABARD promoted Self Help Groups and linkage banking program has established itself as a viable microfinance model. In 1994, the Community Based Nutrition project of Malappuram tried to assimilate these experiences and develop a woman based community structure for service delivery of government programs. The 73rd & 74th amendments to the constitution strengthened Panchayati Raj Institutes and Urban Local Bodies. Shortly afterwards, the People's Plan Campaign for decentralized Governance created strong local self governments (Panchayats and Municipalities) in the State. Kudumbashree was launched in 1998 as a community network that would work in tandem with local self governments for poverty eradication and woman empowerment.
Website : www.kudumbashree.org