Kudumbashree is a mission formed for the total eradication of absolute poverty in 10 years through concerted community action under the leadership of Local Self Government, by facilitating organisation of the poor women for combining self help with demand-led convergence of available services and resources to tackle the multiple dimensions and manifestations of poverty holistically.
On the 17th of May 1998 Kerala witnessed a historical event-the inauguration of Kudumbashree, the prestigious project of the Government of Kerala by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Atal Behari Vajpayee at Malappuram. State Poverty Eradication Mission, Kudumbashree started its operation on the Ist of April 1999. It is a Society registered as under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act 1955.
Through Kudumbashree the convergence of ideas, resources and material and dovetailing of all antipoverty programmes of various departments of State as well as Central Government are envisaged. Centrally sponsored Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme, SJSRY was implemented in Kerala by Kudumbashree in place of State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) in other States. State level and District level monitoring is done by Kudumbashree and at Urban Local Body level planning and implementation is done by the UPA Cell under the leadership of Project Officer, Community Organisers and Volunteers.