Meet Meyari’s ‘Mushroom Didi’ In Meyari village of Gayaji district, Bihar, women have always worked hard on farms—but rarely had the opportunity …
Our Inspiration and Icon
“Ordinary women can trigger extraordinary changes. My vision is to create an ecosystem that empowers women at grassroot enabling to move from margin to mainstream, transforming not only their lives but their community, their villages and society – for the better”
– Prema Gopalan.
Ms. Prema Gopalan established Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) in 1998. She was a firm believer in the power of women to shift boundaries and mindsets.
Little did she know, she was setting in motion a movement that would spread across India. A movement that is inspiring rural women to step out of their homes, shrug off archaic notions of self, & carve new identities as entrepreneurs, farmers, & community leaders.
‘Sakhis’ as she lovingly called these women, are impacting every facet of their society today. With a strong vision of a developed community, they are battling issues of agriculture, water, health, nutrition, & civic leadership, to create thriving models of development.
Prema’s intrinsic belief in women’s leadership garnered worldwide interest & acknowledgment. In a glittering career spanning three decades, she received several national & international awards. She was the recipient of the 2021 Women Transforming India Award, NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative.
Prema leaves behind an immense legacy. She also leaves behind women leaders who embody her work, her values, & her spirit.
Late Mr. Nadarajan V.C. was a dedicated management consultant and a guiding force in the fields of rural finance, livelihoods, and enterprise since 1992. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and TNAU Coimbatore, he brought together deep academic insight and on-ground experience to his work.
Early in his career, he served as an officer with Indian Overseas Bank and as a development professional with PRADAN, New Delhi. Also he was the Board Member of the Covenant Centre for Development (CCD), Tamil Nadu, which is committed to build community institutions around traditional wisdom to empower the poor and vulnerable communities for sustainable development.
He was a valued Board Member of Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), where his wisdom and strategic thinking left a lasting impact. His loss is deeply felt, and his contributions will continue to inspire us.
He was a dedicated management consultant & a guiding force in the fields of rural finance, livelihoods, & enterprise since 1992. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad & TNAU Coimbatore, he brought together deep academic insight & on-ground experience to his work.
Early in his career, he served as an officer with Indian Overseas Bank and as a development professional with PRADAN, New Delhi. Also he was the Board Member of the Covenant Centre for Development (CCD), Tamil Nadu, which is committed to build community institutions around traditional wisdom to empower the poor & vulnerable communities for sustainable development. Over the years, he became a trusted advisor to national & international development organizations as well as grassroots NGOs, offering his expertise in project & program management focused on rural transformation.
He was a valued Board Member of Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), where his wisdom & strategic thinking left a lasting impact. His loss is deeply felt, & his contributions will continue to inspire us.
Our Key Sectors
Our Initiatives
Key Awards Received By SSP
2024 : Community Excellence / Saksham Samudaya Award from the International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM) recognizes outstanding contributions towards community empowerment and development.
2022 : Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)’s Local Adaptation Champions Awards 2022 at COP27. SSP is one of the four organisations recognised for their work in leading climate change adaptation for vulnerable local communities.
2021 : NITI Aayog’s Women Transforming India Award
2018 : Social Entrepreneur of the Year India Award, awarded by Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and Schwab Foundation (WEF)
2017 : Winner of the Equator Prize declared by the UNDP from 806 nominations from 120 countries for its women led climate resilient agro-ecological farming model
Awards Received by Grassroots Women Leaders
Global Local Adaptation (CGA)’s
“Local
Adaptation Award for
Capacity & Knowledge
(for the
Women Led Climate Resilient
Farming Model)” at COP27
Awards Received by Grassroots Women Leaders
Global Local Adaptation (CGA)’s
“Local
Adaptation Award for
Capacity & Knowledge
(for the
Women Led Climate Resilient
Farming Model)” at COP27
Women Taking The Leads
SSP and IDBI Join Hands to Support Wayanad Landslide Victims
Visit by Heike Roschanski, India Desk Officer, Misereor on 18th November 2024, to Kumbhari village, Solapur District, Maharashtra
Our Women Leaders
Meet Meyari’s ‘Mushroom Didi’ In Meyari village of Gayaji district, Bihar, women have always worked hard on farms—but rarely had the opportunity …
𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 Reshma Badnale lives in Rampur village, Kamalnagar block of Bidar district, Karnataka. She is part of a …
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 Nandini Dharane lives in Khatgoan village of Bidar district, Karnataka, where women have always worked on …
The organisation is committed to promote sustainable community development by
repositioning women as change makers and fostering collective leadership.
