PNS|Vijayawada
The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), Andhra Pradesh, has won nine prestigious SKOCH Platinum Awards for its outstanding contributions to urban poverty alleviation.
Mission Director N. Tej Bharath said the awards recognise MEPMA’s innovative and transformative projects that have significantly improved the lives of urban communities in the state. The awards will be presented during the SKOCH Summit in New Delhi on 20th September 2025.
Out of 14 initiatives submitted, nine were selected after a rigorous evaluation process, including public voting and expert panel reviews. Among the winning projects is Nivasam, a web and app-based platform offering safe housing to the urban homeless.
Other award-winning initiatives include a Livelihood Tracker for monitoring employment, a Bank Linkage Scheme to promote financial inclusion, and E-Commerce Enablement for SHG women entrepreneurs. MEPMA also earned recognition for initiatives linking SHGs with the gig economy, promoting SHG-led enterprises, and identifying exemplary SHG women as Prerana Sakhis.
Additional awards were received for the Street Vendors Management Programme and the formation of Vulnerable Occupational Groups, where Andhra Pradesh leads nationally.
Tej Bharath thanked the State Government and said the recognition strengthens MEPMA’s commitment to building resilient, self-sustaining urban communities.
