Published Paper Details:

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have long been recognized as critical instruments for promoting socio-economic development, particularly among marginalized communities. Traditionally, SHG activities have been strenuous around sectors such as handicrafts, tailoring, and animal husbandry. However, changing socio-economic landscapes, technological advancements, and emerging market opportunities necessitate a rethinking of livelihood strategies to ensure sustained empowerment. This paper explores the diversification of SHG activities into non-traditional and innovative sectors, examining how new livelihood strategies can enhance resilience, increase income levels, and foster holistic empowerment. The study tries to identify examples of SHGs venturing into agro-processing, digital services, eco-tourism, renewable energy, organic farming, and e-commerce. Through a mixed-methods approach combining field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and secondary data analysis, the research provides insights into the economic and social impacts of innovative livelihood strategies. It argues that diversification not only strengthens the financial autonomy of SHGs but also catalyzes social transformation by enhancing agency, self-confidence, and collective bargaining power among members, particularly women.