Centre for Microfinance and Livelihood (CML) - Associate Organisation of Tata Trusts

Centre for Microfinance & Livelihood (CML) was initiated by the Tata Trusts, Mumbai in 2008. It was conceptualised as a specialised umbrella support organisation for capacity building, research, collaborative interventions and policy advocacy in the development space of Northeast India. CML has a deep understanding of regional challenges, nuances and opportunities, which helps them customise intervention strategies that are most relevant, meaningful and beneficial to the North-Eastern Region of India. These interventions are strategically designed to go beyond the realm of patchwork philanthropy to be inclusive, long-term, impact-driven and supported by data analytics and technology. With its mandate of strengthening development in the region, CML started its initiatives focusing on the domains of training and capacity building, livelihood intervention piloting and compilation and synthesis of sector information for forging linkages and advocacy. CML works towards community empowerment and improving the quality of life through multi- thematic interventions in the fields of education, WaSH, livelihood, craft and sports in the north eastern states of Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and regions of Meghalaya. Tata Trusts’ largest Cancer Care Project is also based in Assam. CML has made a difference in the lives of more than 1 lakh beneficiaries by focusing on entrepreneurship development in fishing, horticulture, piggery as well as handloom and handicrafts. Based on its initial three years of experience on the ground coupled with feedback from grassroots leaders as well as a program review by experts in the sector, CML initiated the second phase of its journey with a novel strategy. From thereon, CML focused on three key aspects of development viz Capacity Building, Knowledge Management and Linkages. Work under Capacity Building resulted in CML managing one of the largest structured and holistic capacity building programs for non-governmental organisations in the country. By m