Nagaland has recently formalised a partnership with BRAC International to implement the SAY-SOBLOK programme, targeting the support of 4,000 extremely vulnerable households. This agreement was signed at Hotel Vivor in Kohima on October 3, 2026, under the auspices of the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), part of the state’s Rural Development Department.

The SAY-SOBLOK initiative aligns with the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY), which falls under the broader Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). This three-year programme is structured around BRAC’s successful Graduation Approach, designed to assist the most vulnerable households in attaining sustainable livelihoods and enhancing their economic security.

Through a carefully sequenced and time-bound intervention, the programme aims to combine various support mechanisms, ensuring intensive household coaching alongside livelihood development, financial inclusion, access to essential services, and resilience-building. This comprehensive approach seeks to bolster the capacities of the targeted households.

Focus on Vulnerable Households

During the launch, Thavaseelan K, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Rural Development in Nagaland, noted that the initiative aims to assist households encountering significant barriers in accessing livelihood opportunities and government services. Emphasising the systematic nature of SAY-SOBLOK, he mentioned that it offers diverse forms of support to address immediate needs while simultaneously fostering sustainable livelihoods.

Thavaseelan highlighted the necessity of adapting the programme to suit the local socio-economic conditions of Nagaland. He stressed the importance of identifying beneficiaries transparently, ensuring that livelihood choices align with local market demands, and promoting women’s involvement in the decision-making process. Additionally, he called for a coordinated effort among district and block-level teams to facilitate access to existing government schemes for eligible households.

The Commissioner posited that the success of SAY-SOBLOK should not be merely about the number of enrolled households or the level of assistance provided. Instead, effectiveness should be judged by the extent to which families achieve stable incomes, access essential services, and can withstand financial setbacks.

Implementation of the Graduation Approach

Shweta S. Banerjee, the India Country Lead for BRAC International, indicated that the organisation is collaborating with the Ministry of Rural Development in executing the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana alongside the NSRLM. She elaborated that the SAY software is being introduced in Nagaland under the leadership of NSRLM, with BRAC’s involvement focused on implementation.

Banerjee explained that the programme follows the internationally recognised Graduation Approach, designed to help extremely vulnerable households progress from immediate assistance to sustainable livelihoods. The aim is to ensure that all identified households develop a clear pathway towards economic self-sufficiency.

In this three-year initiative, the focus will be on the most vulnerable women-led households within selected villages, guiding them through a structured process towards better self-reliance. This encompasses providing them with livelihood assets, facilitating access to public services, and ongoing mentoring to ensure they can sustainably improve their circumstances.

As the SAY-SOBLOK programme officially commenced following the MoU signing, it marked the beginning phase of implementing the tailored Graduation Approach suitable for Nagaland’s socio-economic environment. The programme aspires to engage with government systems and community institutions, integrating vulnerable households into existing welfare schemes and enhancing their access to livelihood opportunities and financial services.

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