The biggest and most impacting project, however, is called Swasakthi. In this project four cooperatives have been set up that provide
alternative banking services, microcredits and legal aid in order to protect the human rights of women. More than 17,000 women are members and administer a
remarkable capital of 1.4 million Euro.
Very impressive is also the work in the context of
natural resource management. Under the project heading of Kalpavali, the Sangas recruit tree planters and build capacities for the
regeneration of wasteland. Until today, more than 3,000 hectares of wasteland have been ecologically restored; nature reserves and wildlife corridors have been set up in an equally big area. All these activities are administered by the Sruthi management structure with 110 full-time and 90 part-time workers. It is highly commendable how much can be achieved by a
selfdetermined and just rural development initiative. Especially considering the fact, that many collectives in former socialist countries failed due to various reasons. As long as the business principles are
guided by solidarity, ecology, fairness and justice a collective can be a very successful form of working together.
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