Effective, January 2007, The Bridge has initiated an active awareness program amongst uneducated self employed rural youth and educated unemployed rural youth of Neolakarsanda, Baragaon, Rahramau, Nainamau, Bansa & Masuali, District Barabanki, UP, about various micro lending schemes of banks and other institutions for enhancing earnings, starting micro/tiny enterprise and/or expanding their existing business.

In this regard on request of The Bridge, Union Bank of India has further strengthened its existing branch in Village Masauli, Distt. Barabanki. The Village Knowledge Centre has been reactivated at this branch and services under Union Mitr (financial counseling) have been launched wef August 3, 2007. On the same day 2 credit/loan camps were also held through which about 90 individual beneficiaries have been sanctioned micro loans.

In addition, from September 3 to 6, 2007, coordinators of The Bridge again interacted with a large number of individuals of the referred area who were interested in availing micro credits/loans for either strengthening their exiting small/tiny business and/or wanted to start new business. The need and requirement of these rural youth was assessed by our coordinators and those found viable and sustainable were assisted in completing the documentation for availment of micro loans from UBI. In fact 18 such beneficiaries were sanctioned micro loans under Differential Rate of Interest.