Rural Development
Why focus on Rural Development?
Many villages continue to face challenges related to safe drinking water, sanitation, road connectivity, quality education, and basic infrastructure, while communication and connectivity remain far behind urban areas. These everyday gaps quietly shape people’s lives and, over time, contribute to migration as families search for better opportunities.
Working closely with communities, End Poverty acts as a bridge between resources and rural needs, focusing on simple, practical improvements that respond to daily realities. Across 200+ villages, these efforts have reached over 60,000 people. Key outcomes include 20+ kilometres of improved road connectivity, easing movement and access; the installation of 1100+ solar streetlights, benefiting around 10,000 people by improving safety after dark; and the renovation of schools and Anganwadi centres, creating safer and more welcoming learning spaces. Introduction of smart classrooms have further strengthened learning. Access to essential services has also improved through 6,000+ Ujjwala gas connections and 8,000+ Jan Dhan accounts, helping households move toward cleaner cooking and greater financial inclusion. Together, these shared efforts reflect steady progress toward safer, better-connected, and more resilient rural communities.
Villages covered
People impacted
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If Rural Development seems close to your heart there are different ways you can contribute and support us in our projects
Current Projects on Rural Development
HRIDAY – LIC Housing Ltd. (Rewari, Haryana)
The first year of the LIC HFL HRIDAY Project moved forward in a natural village rhythm. The work began with forming farmer groups, followed by regular trainings and exposure visits that helped farmers learn new practices. Seeds distribution and kitchen gardens supported better nutrition at the household level, while women were gradually brought into the mainstream through Self-Help Groups and micro-entrepreneurship support.
As part of livelihood promotion, the project supported 24 women-led micro-enterprises by providing infrastructure and stock assistance for activities such as tailoring units, cosmetic shops, grocery stores, and small service centres, enabling women to start or strengthen income-generating work within their villages.
Alongside livelihoods, attention was given to everyday well-being. Soak pits were built near homes to improve sanitation, and 24 health camps ensured basic healthcare reached the village regularly. To make villages safer and more active after sunset, 30 solar streetlights were installed across six villages, helping people move freely, communicate, and feel secure. Together, these connected efforts reflect steady, people-led progress rooted in the everyday needs of village life.
Water Stewardship – Grant Thornton (Rewari, Haryana)
Under this project, the focus was on improving access to clean and safe drinking water by placing communities at the centre of how water systems are used and managed. Through community-managed Water ATMs, 1.14 lakh litres of safe drinking water were supplied, meeting the daily needs of 406 households. Community card recharges simplified access and encouraged shared responsibility, while local operation and maintenance helped ensure the system remained reliable and sustainable.
Rural Development – Tijara, Rajasthan
Basic infrastructure and social support were strengthened through small but meaningful actions. Road connectivity improved with the construction of 6 km of CC roads, easing everyday movement. Six handpumps were installed, and spray pump subsidies were provided to farmers, supporting both water access and farm activities. Social security outreach helped 11 elderly people access old-age pensions and 17 households connect with the Ujjwala Yojana. In addition, six girls were enrolled in open board examinations, and five widows were linked to pension schemes, supporting continuity in education and social protection.
Education
Education lays the foundation for opportunity, but safe spaces and basic facilities are essential for learning to truly take root. Across Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) and Nuh district (Haryana), education initiatives supported by HDFC Bank (HRDP) and ReNew Energy upgraded 7 government schools with improved water and sanitation facilities, smart classrooms, libraries, child-friendly spaces, and better seating. The addition of solar power, reliable drinking water systems, and improved lighting and plumbing helped create safer, more functional learning environments, enabling more consistent and engaging classroom experiences for students.
Ajivika Craft Centre
The ACC program has evolved over the last decade and is co-designed and adapted by taking frequent feedback from and brainstorming with the participant women, designers, potential markets, institutions in the craft sector, craft sector specialists etc.
Women Entrepreneurship Development
Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) is a component in all of our projects across focus areas. We train these women on entrepreneurship through specialized training modules and then give them support through financial linkage and support in setting up the enterprises.
