The Kerala Athijeevanam Keraliyam Initiative was officially introduced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on August 27, 2020. Through this program, the Kerala state government aims to generate employment for approximately 50,000 individuals within the current fiscal year. The project operates under the state's Chief Minister's Local Employment Assurance Programme (LEAP). This new initiative encompasses five core pillars: the Yuva Kerala Project, Connect to Work, EDP-K, ARISE, and KMEDP.
Kudumbashree is tasked with executing the Kerala Athijeevanam Keraliyam Initiative, which is expected to support 50,000 beneficiaries this year. The Chief Minister noted that Rs. 145 crore has been allocated via the Rebuild Kerala initiative, alongside Rs. 20.50 crore designated as project plan funding. This guide provides comprehensive details regarding the scheme and its five constituent parts.
Kerala Athijeevanam Keraliyam Initiative 2026 for Local Employment
Below are the specifics regarding the five primary components—Yuva Kerala Project, C2W, EDP-K, ARISE, and KMEDP—under the Kerala Athijeevanam Keraliyam framework.
Yuva Kerala Project - Skill Development & Jobs for Youth
The primary goal of the Yuva Kerala Project under this initiative is to equip 10,000 young people with professional skills and job placement. The state government has earmarked approximately Rs. 60 crores for this effort. Eligible participants include members of low-income families aged 18 to 35. Furthermore, individuals from Scheduled Tribes (ST) and those with physical disabilities (PH) may participate up to age 45. The project offers comprehensive support, including free training, travel, housing, meals, uniforms, placement assistance, and mentorship for one year.
Connect to Work (C2W) - Soft Skills for Rural Youth
The Connect to Work (C2W) initiative focuses on enhancing the soft skills of young individuals residing in rural regions. Through this segment, the government provides career guidance to help youth access the job market. The goal is to provide training for 5,000 young men and women, connecting them with prospective employers based on their qualifications, interests, and training background. A budget of Rs. 5 crores has been approved for this project.
Kerala Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP-K)
The EDP-K project aims to stimulate the growth of new businesses across various blocks in the state. As part of this component, 16,800 new ventures in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors will be established within 14 flood-impacted blocks. This program is expected to benefit 20,000 individuals. Financial support includes loans up to Rs. 1 lakh for individual entrepreneurs and Rs. 5 lakhs for group ventures, offered at a 4% interest rate. A total of Rs. 70 crore has been sanctioned for EDP-K.
Acquiring Resilience and Identity Through Sustainable Employment (ARISE)
The ARISE scheme is designed to train youth and Kudumbashree staff in 10 high-demand labor market sectors to facilitate rapid wage employment. Originally launched in 2018-19 to assist those who lost their livelihood during the floods, the program continues for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It aims to provide job opportunities to 10,000 young men and women. The project has been allocated Rs. 10 crores in funding.