Ongoing Projects at GRAAM – a Glance

Exploring the blind spots of Maternal Healthcare expenditures among BPL families

According to WHO’s Global Health Expenditure Database, "Out-of-Pocket-Expenditure (OOPE)" for health issues in India is the highest in the world. The nature of expenditure on maternal health care is not an exception to it and it can be  observed even among the BPL families. Thus, in order to examine the magnitude and dimensions of OOPE at macro and micro household level, GRAAM took up a state level study on `Evaluation Study of Out of Pocket Expenditure incurred for maternal health care by BPL women in Karnataka in Public health facilities, under department of health and Family welfare through Karnataka Evaluation Authority’.

This study explores levels and components of out-of-pocket expenditures of Maternal Health among BPL women in the state of Karnataka. The study was done in the sampled districts like  Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Bellary, Chikmagalur and Haveri.  Survey captured OOPE data on maternal health spending starting from the confirmation of pregnancy to post-natal period of 45 days. Our study identified the various sources through which OOPE is met by the family and the reach of the Maternal Health schemes to the targeted beneficiaries across the regions.       

    ARIVU- Widening horizons for making higher education accessible and inclusive

ARIVU, a student loan scheme has been implemented   as an alternative source of financing higher education for credit constrained students from underprivileged sections through the D Devaraj Urs Backward Class Development Corporation. The scheme aims at increasing access, reducing dropout and enhancing employability of the students belonging to backward communities     .

In order to  assess the performance of  ARIVU scheme in terms of spread and coverage, timely availability and disbursement and the extent of utilization, GRAAM has undertaken a study through Karnataka Evaluation Authority. This research has assessed  the impact of the ARIVU scheme  in increasing access, enrolment, participation and employment potential of backward class students in higher education.

                                            
Skill development for making rural youth ‘employable’

GRAAM has undertaken a research study through KEA to understand the impact of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) a skill development scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, GoI. It emphasizes not only on providing training, but also on finding suitable and sustainable employment for the beneficiaries with supporting services for one year. The research focused on assessing the quality and efficiency of the programme in terms of mobilization of candidates, training and placement support.

It also studied the programme sustainability and overlap (with other programmes) and suggest further improvements in the scheme.