The Paalam’s Micro Credit programme provides support to initiate sustainable livelihood and enhance income to the fisher folk and inland communities through the provision of small scale loans.
The Paalams aim to extend this kind of support through a network of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and functional groups (e.g. fish-vendors, rickshaw-drivers etc.) Once a group has fulfilled a number of administrative and lending practices (internal lending to its group members) for a 6 months period, it becomes eligible to receive credit from local banks or ACDC.

These revolving funds are used for giving out loans to support income generation activities such as setting up carpentry workshops, purchasing and re-selling timber, purchasing and renting three-wheeler load carriers, etc.
Presently there are 28 Men’ SHGs which have a combined internal and Revolving Fund savings of Rs 429,850.

© 2007 Auroville Coastal Development Centre