Capacity Building is one of the important verticals that BRLF has decided to work on to build the capacities of rural professionals in the country who are otherwise not available at the grassroots. BRLF has designed a unique innovative certificate program called the Certificate Program on Rural Livelihoods (CPRL) to address the challenge of scarce trained human resources at the field level particularly focused on tribal areas. BRLF has joined hands with IIHMRU, Jaipur to run this flagship Capacity Building initiative for tribal youth between 19 to 40 years of age from the Central India Tribal belt.
CPRL encompasses a series of capacity building modules on Rural Livelihoods, packaged as per the needs of the target groups and of different institutional partners (both Government and CSOs). This certificate programme is held at multiple locations; where BRLF supported CSOs provide field-based training on modules that they have experience and expertise in the respected fields.
CPRL is a 6-month certificate programme, consisting of 16 learning modules, divided into two main parts: Part A covers the theoretical and conceptual aspects of rural livelihoods while Part B focuses on the empirical studies and practical implications of the theory. In a nutshell, CPRL seeks to address the capacity building challenge for existing and aspiring rural professionals who would potentially engage as frontline functionaries of CSOs, government institutions or with offices of elected representatives of the PRIs and SHG federation leaders.
BRLF in collaboration with IIHMRU has successfully completed the 1st batch of CPRL with 29 tribal students belonging to 6 states of Central India tribal belt graduating under it. The first batch of CPRL started on 15th of November’ 2016, covering a journey of great learning and experiences across 13 locations in 7 states and it got completed on 24th of May’ 2017.
Encouraged by the fruitful results of batch 1, BRLF is going to conduct subsequent batches of CPRL as well, with the second batch starting in October 2017.
Apart from the CPRL, BRLF is working in close collaboration with IIHMRU to roll out an MBA program in Rural Management. This two year, practitioner oriented MBA hopes to create professionals who will work at the grassroots. BRLF is supporting tribal graduates to pursue this course which starts this year.
