National Urban Livelihoods Mission

The National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) is a Government of India scheme launched in 2013 to reduce poverty and vulnerability among urban poor by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. It also provides shelter for homeless people and financial assistance for street vendors and urban poor women.

What Is NULM?

NULM works in cities with a population of 1 lakh or more and is implemented through Urban Local Bodies. It was restructured in 2016 and later merged under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Key Components of NULM

**Social Mobilisation and Institution Development:**
Organises urban poor into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and SHG federations. Provides capacity building and financial literacy training.

**Employment Through Skills Training and Placement (EST&P):**
Provides skill training to urban poor youth in market-relevant trades through empanelled training centres. Targets placement in formal employment after training.

**Self Employment Programme (SEP):**
Provides financial assistance for individual or group micro-enterprises. Loans up to Rs 2 lakh for individuals and Rs 10 lakh for groups at subsidised interest rates. Interest subsidy provided to bridge the gap between actual and nominal interest.

**Support to Urban Street Vendors:**
Surveys and certifies street vendors, issues identity cards, and facilitates access to credit and social protection.

**Shelter for Urban Homeless:**
Provides round-the-clock shelters for homeless people in cities, with basic facilities like food, water, healthcare, and safety.

Who Benefits?

Urban poor families, particularly women, are the primary beneficiaries. The scheme targets:
– Slum residents
– Urban homeless
– Street vendors
– Migrant workers
– Urban poor women seeking livelihood support

Practical Example

Sunanda, a migrant from a village who settled in a city slum, joins an urban SHG formed under DAY-NULM. Her group receives training in embroidery and garment stitching. The SHG applies for a group loan of Rs 5 lakh at subsidised interest to buy sewing machines. The group sets up a small tailoring unit, creates employment for 10 women, and supplies garments to a local retailer.

Key Takeaways

– NULM (now DAY-NULM) supports urban poor through SHG formation, skill training, and micro-enterprise loans
– Self-employment loans of up to Rs 2 lakh (individual) and Rs 10 lakh (group) are available at subsidised interest
– Street vendors receive formal certification and access to credit
– Urban homeless shelters provide basic safety-net infrastructure
– The scheme targets the most vulnerable sections of urban populations for economic inclusion