Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
17.8% of enterprises in Kandhamal are women-owned. 85.7% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹24,891 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
81% of registered enterprises are in services while 19% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 91% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Kandhamal, which ranks 25 of 30 in Odisha for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 41.8 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's freedom of movement at 29%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 68.3%, it sits close to the national mark.