Work

From taking money to making money: SPARC, NSDF and Mahila Milan transform low-income shelter options in India

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: In India, a new approach to finance has been transforming shelter options for low-income households and supporting community-led development over recent decades. This paper examines the financial architecture developed to support hundreds of community-driven efforts by grassroots groups working in alliance with the Mumbai-based NGO SPARC. Much has been written about this Alliance’s work, but its financial architecture has had little attention. This paper seeks to explain how grants given for grassroots community development in urban areas can produce new forms of entrepreneurial behaviour among the urban poor, showing how they can design and execute large projects with the expertise gained from more modest efforts. It also shows how this Alliance has managed, invested and revolved these grants and other sources of funding, including its own savings, to leverage resources and opportunities for inclusive city development.

Source: Environment and Urbanization

DOI: 10.1177/0956247818754787

Authors: Sheela Patel, Aseena Viccajee, Jockin Arputham

Institution: Sun Pharma Advanced Research (India)

Language: English

Topic: Urban and Rural Development Challenges

Subfield: Urban Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities, Partnerships for the goals, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Rockefeller Foundation, Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration