Microfinance:
EQUITY is the micro-finance arm of NEED (Network of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development), a highly respectable Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) located in Uttar Pradesh, North East India.

NEED was established in 1995 with the vision to promote economic development through human empowerment. It is an internationally and domestically respected NGO and has been recognized to have successfully empowered and facilitated women and children in rural villages to be self-sufficient through entrepreneurships. It currently has 2,100 Self Help Groups (SHGs) consisting of approximately 32,500 members, mostly women, in 2,200 villages. It has succeeded in changing the lives of multitudes of women and men from marginalized communities in one of the most impoverished state in India.

Community Mobilization:
Community mobilization involving people at the grass-root is at the centre of the NEED’s activities. NEED constantly endeavors to boost up participation of rural communities and their involvement in various activities in order that sustainable development does not remain a distant dream. NEED has over 3000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Livelihoods:
NEED provides livelihood/occupation programs that increases the income generation and meet the basic needs of a family. NEED implements the livelihood efforts so as to improve the income generation of the rural and urban poor. NEED during 2007-08 came forward to ensure better avenues of expressing their entrepreneurial skill and harvest their potential in an impact making manner.

Fair Trade:
NEED aims to level the unequal trading relationships between rich and poor producer groups and to provide a significant platform for enhancing trade opportunities and ensure women’s economic self reliance. 

Education:   
Recognizing the importance of providing education services to the masses, NEED has taken several concrete steps in the direction.

• One such step is that of SHG promoted Schools in which NEED identifies teachers  from SHGs, trains them, places them in NFE Centers and vouches for idea sustenance. 

• NEED has formed Child Guardian Committees which strives for self sustenance of educational system.

• Remedial classes for dropout children are another significant measure undertaken by NEED.

• About 473 children in the age group of 4-15 years of age including majority of female children were admitted in formal schools.

• Two of the schools are successfully imparting education till Standard XI. And one another school has been elevated from Primary section to Class IX.

Health & Sanitation: 

Health is another major of concern where NEED has maximized its efforts. NEED’s health programme is completely community driven and ensures diversification in health, sanitation and nutrition. The core activities in this sector by NEED are:

• Vaccinations for pregnant women and children

• Identification and selection of Potential Village Health Guides and providing them training and exposure.

• Propagating and sanitation and cleanliness habits.

• Construction of toilets and bathrooms.

• Maintenance and beautification of hand pumps.

• Subsidized distribution of safe drinking water kits.

• Sensitizing villagers through nutrition campaigns for balanced diet.

• Capacity building of Traditional Birth Attendants.

• Promoting backyard kitchen gardening and organic farming.

• Organizing regular health camps.

• Distribution of health manuals.

• Disseminating information about AIDS prevention and consequences of child marriage.

• Health endeavors are directed in a public-private participation mode in order to sustain the impact generated.

• IMR and MMR have recorded a sharp fall in the area, over the years.