Description

Enhance the lives of others through your volunteer position while working with local communities. Examples of how you can support Micro-Enterprise initiatives in India:

* Study women's saving groups and recommend methods to enhance growth of microfinance schemes.

* Help to coordinate meetings and trainings for self-help groups which help poor communities build savings, credit and form linkages with banks.

* Support an organization's village development fund that is a common property resource created and controlled by villagers to provide them the means of realizing their development needs through financial lending.

* Assist a program that provides credit assistance for self-help savings, bank policies for the poor, and revolving funds for people in need.

* Create workshops and introduce the idea of micro-enterprise to those in tribal communities who already have a strong savings base intact.

* Support training of marginalized women in needlework and appliqué products. Finished goods are then sold under the 'Sadhna' label at one of two organization-run stores in Udaipur city.

* Empower women by helping to create village self-help groups in which they independently develop financial institutions that manage profit-making programs.

For more micro-enterprise opportunities, visit our website or contact us directly.

About FSD

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

1. Sustainable Development Training Programs for Interns and Volunteers
FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers seeking hands-on experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that reflect sustainable practices.

2. Grantmaking to Projects and Initiatives Led By Our Partner Organizations
Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support projects and initiatives implemented by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

3. Sustainable Development of Community-Based Organizations
Our professional field staff, consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training and capacity building to more than 200 community-based organizations.

Highlights

Community Issues Addressed by FSD in India
In India, over 260 million live in poverty. The poor are plagued by high levels of unemployment, low incomes, and significant debt. They can rarely offer collateral against their loans and therefore are continually denied access to formal credit institutions. Even when loans are awarded, high interest rates and unrealistic repayment schedules leave families unable to step out of the poverty cycle.

In Rajasthan, a significant number of families are forced to repay inter-generational debt. Mining is a common family occupation and in this type of bonded labor debt is passed down through successive generations. Additionally, many in Rajasthan have experienced chronic difficulty with underemployment and low levels of income. Tens of thousands of families struggle to rise above the poverty line, but they lack the essential financial resources to meet even their most basic needs.

Approximately one thousand Indian non-governmental organizations have emerged to help the poor acquire loans and increase their assets. FSD partners with locallyrun organizations in Udaipur who work with women to create financial self help groups. FSD also supports programs that educate the poor about local bank policies and works to establish revolving funds for those in need. With continuing help and financial support, these microenterprise/ microfinance non-governmental organizations can empower the poor through education, training, and micro-loans that will drastically improve their financial possibilities.

Additional Programs are Available in: Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda, and Kenya

Program Work Addresses Issues in: Health, Community Development, Youth and Education, Environment, and Women's Empowerment

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Hindi

Cost in US$:

Varies with Program

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure
• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Living stipend
• Written materials abroad
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

Your contribution fee covers all program costs (excluding airfare) and is 100% tax deductible for U.S. residents. Included in the fee is: a one-week orientation; family homestay will all meals provided; language lessons; development trainings and workshops; group sessions; midterm retreat (9+ weeks only); final debriefing session; on-going in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff; 200 USD mini-grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to 500 USD, medical evacuation and limited health insurance; and pick-up from the airport.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range

18-75

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 months

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement

Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD's programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:

• Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations worldwide.
  
  
• Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
  
  
• Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
  
  
• Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.

• Year Founded

  1995