MEPMA Signs MoUs to Boost Livelihoods for Urban SHGs

Speedy Summary

• MEPMA Collaboration: Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) Director N. Tej Bharat signed MoUs with three organizations on August 26, 2025, in Vijayawada to improve sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship among urban Self-Help Groups (shgs) in Andhra Pradesh.
• Ecolastic Partnership: MEPMA partnered with Ecolastic Products Pvt. Ltd., focusing on decentralizing the distribution/manufacturing of compostable products by SHG women. The initiative targets incomes of ₹15,000-₹20,000 per month per woman and envisions district-level factories under the “One Family, One Entrepreneur” strategy.
• AE Technologies Collaboration: An agreement was signed with AE Technologies Pvt. Ltd., enabling SHG women to distribute certified compostable water bottles.Over 300 SHGs are set to benefit from this eco-focused initiative backed by a plastic ban enforcement.
• Gardening/Composting Efforts: A partnership with City of Terrace Gardens promotes terrace/kitchen gardening and home composting among SHGs across all Urban Local Bodies statewide. Goals include training members, facilitating five lakh plantations, and fostering zero-waste practices.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The partnerships spearheaded by MEPMA reflect a progressive effort to merge economic empowerment for urban Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with environmental stewardship in Andhra Pradesh’s municipal areas. By aiming at both sustainable income generation and eco-kind practices like manufacturing compostable products or promoting zero-waste gardening initiatives, thes MoUs can transform local entrepreneurship ecosystems.

For participating women within urban SHGs, the potential financial upliftment-estimated between ₹15-₹20k monthly earnings-could contribute considerably towards family livelihood while advancing green enterprise models aligned with broader state priorities such as plastic ban enforcement or “one Family, One entrepreneur.” However, prosperous scaling would require robust training frameworks combined with sustained logistics support across districts.

Moreover, the environmental aspects outlined-including large-scale plantations and promotion of eco-friendly terrace gardens-highlight synergies between grassroots sustainability efforts and broader ecological goals that could make Andhra Pradesh a frontrunner in community-led climate resilience projects.Read more: Original Source