STEP Scheme - Eligibility & Application Process:
Scheme Benefits and Highlights:
The assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting skills related to employability and entrepreneurship, including but not limited to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Computer & IT enable services along with soft skills and skills for the work place such as spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality.

Eligibility:
Scheme Target Group
The scheme is intended to benefit women who are in the age group of 16 years and above.

ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS/ PROJECT IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES (PIAs):
Grants-in-aid under the STEP programme may be given to an institution having a distinct legal entity as under:
(a) Institutions or organizations set up as Autonomous Organization under a specific statute or as a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (Not for profit) or other statutes.
(b) Voluntary Organizations or Non-Government Organizations registered under the Societies Registration Act, Indian Trust Act carrying out activities which promote the objectives of the STEP programme, with adequate financial and other resources, credibility and experience of the type of activities to be undertaken.
(c) Co-operative Societies.Number of Beneficiaries:
The number of beneficiaries in a project shall not be more than 200 members. Training will be implemented in batches with manageable proportions. The equipment/ small machines/ computers related to the industrial sectors are made available for quality training.

Financial Assistance:
The financial assistance under the STEP scheme will be provided for the beneficiaries in the manner as follows:
S.No Financial Assistance Course Duration
1. Rs.40.50/-
For every hour of training for sectors listed in Category I given in Annexure-I.
2. Rs. 34.70/-
For every hour of training for sectors listed in Category II given in Annexure-I
3. Rs.28.90/
For every hour of training for sectors listed in Category III given at Annexure-INote: Additionally, an applicant undergoing training at outside areas will be provided with a transportation cost of Rs. 5000/-per trainee.

Funding Pattern:
Under the STEP scheme, the maximum financial assistance of 90% of the project cost will be granted by the Government of India. The remaining 10% will have to be provided by the implementing agency.
Documents Required:

• The following documents are to be submitted while applying for the STEP scheme.
• Copies of audited statement of accounts (Balance sheet, Income & Expenditure Account and Receipt & Payment Account) of the preceding three years.
• Annual Report for three preceding years.
• Proof of experience in the sector concerned.
• Document in support of the statement that the course is compliant with the stipulations of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
• Copy of Registration Certificate, if any.

Application Procedure of STEP Scheme:

Step 1 – eligible NGOs, who are interested to participate in the scheme should register themselves on NGO-PS Portal of NITI Aayog and obtain a Unique ID for this purpose.
Step 2 – the Project proposals will be submitted online to the Ministry of Women and Child Development through the Ministry’s NGO Proposal Management System.
Step 3 – these proposals will be addressed to the concerned State Government, which will examine the same and forward it to the Ministry of Women and Child Development with its recommendations.
Step 4 – the proposals recommended by the State Government will be verified by a pre-screening committee, which is set up by the Ministry.
Step 5 – the proposals recommended by the pre-screening committee will in-turn be placed before the Project Appraisal Committee for the final approval.
Step 6 – upon final approval, the fund will be released to the registered NGO.

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