Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
24.8% of enterprises in Bhandara are women-owned. 78.1% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹21,597 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
63% of registered enterprises are in services while 37% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 78% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Bhandara, which ranks 21 of 36 in Maharashtra for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 45.3 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 57.5%, while it lags on women taking part in all major household decisions at 58%. On women's freedom of movement at 38.1%, it sits close to the national mark.