Empowering rural Maharashtra through digital monitoring and inclusive transformation

Government of Maharashtra’s Rural Transformation Program

CDFI supported the Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF) under the Government of Maharashtra in executing, tracking, and managing its large-scale rural transformation programmes. A customised version of Sunidhi, CDFI’s digital platform, was deployed to oversee and monitor progress across 1,000 villages, focusing on drought-prone and low Human Development Index regions. The system enables planning, execution, and performance tracking of initiatives aimed at water security, digital connectivity, skill development, and improvements in health, education, and sanitation.
1000
+
villages covered under the Village Social Transformation Program
400
+
villages currently implementing projects through Sunidhi
Region
Maharashtra
Start Date
Status
Ongoing
Lead Partner
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
Benefeciaries
Government of Maharashtra, rural communities, corporate CSR partners

Digital tools now power Maharashtra’s mission to make its most drought-affected villages self-reliant and sustainable.

Initial problem

Sunidhi

CDFI customised its Sunidhi platform to support Maharashtra’s Village Social Transformation Program (VSTP), enabling real-time tracking and reporting across 1,000 villages. The platform integrates digital workflows for project creation, funding approvals, and on-ground monitoring by fellows. With Sunidhi’s mobile app, 150 fellows assigned across clusters of 3-4 villages can plan, execute, and monitor projects directly from the field, while the web portal gives VSTF, state departments, and corporate partners full program visibility.

The solution we implemented

Success of our implementation with VSTF

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period

1,000 Villages Targeted

Digital oversight for drought-prone and low-HDI villages to drive inclusive transformation.

400 Villages Active

Ongoing execution monitored through Sunidhi by state officials and local fellows.

150 Fellows Empowered

Each fellow manages a cluster of villages, overseeing projects and coordinating between departments and corporates.

Built for scale. Operated for local progress.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched on 31st December 2016 envisions to provide cash incentive amounting to ₹5,000 directly to the Bank/ Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during pregnancy and lactation period

Hybrid Funding Model

A co-funding structure where corporate contributions are matched by the state government to ensure sustainability.

Digital Field Operations

Sunidhi’s mobile app empowers fellows to track and report directly from rural Maharashtra.

Shared Accountability

Corporates, government departments, and VSTF teams collaborate seamlessly through one unified digital platform.

Features of the Implementation

Mobile app for project creation and field tracking
Web dashboard for progress monitoring
Automated project lifecycle management
Funding and CSR tracking workflows
Role-based access for fellows, corporates, and officials
State-wide program analytics and reporting

Features of the Implementation

Streamlines project planning and approval cycles
Improves transparency and reporting across partners
Enables data-driven rural governance
Strengthens accountability from village to state level
Promotes sustainable development in drought-affected regions

How the solution bought an impact of scale

Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Awards and Recognitions

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.

Research

Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.