Telangana, India's 12th largest state by area, covers approximately 3.41% of the country's landmass. As per the 2011 census, it has a population of 3.52 crores, with a significant portion (61.33%) residing in rural areas. The state comprises 33 districts and is home to about 13.43 million individuals living below the poverty line. Telangana's economy is driven by a combination of agriculture, industry, and a rapidly growing IT and services sector. Hyderabad, its capital, serves as a major IT hub, contributing significantly to the state's economic growth along with tourism, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

According to the Economic Survey (2023-24), Telangana's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ranks among the top contributors to the national economy, contributing about 4.8% to India's GDP. The state's per capita income is notably higher than the national average, reflecting its growing prosperity. Telangana's work participation rate stands at 44.8%, with female participation steadily increasing. Given Telangana's achievement in inclusive economic growth, it is not surprising that the state has a relatively low-rate of poverty, with only 5.88% of its population being multi-dimensionally poor, as per NITI Aayog's 2023 MPI report.

Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Telangana is uniquely placed, having a long, successful history of community mobilisation and financial inclusion through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Preceded by the UNDP funded South Asia Poverty Alleviation Programme (SAPAP), SERP was built on an institutional framework across four-tiers: Self Help Groups (SHGs), Village organisations (VOs), Mandal Samakhyas (MSs) and Zilla Samakhyas (ZSs). It has a sensitive and supportive structure facilitating the social mobilization of rural poor women across 32 districts by building and nurturing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations. Considered as the pioneer of the SHG movement in the country, SERP implements a comprehensive multi-dimensional poverty alleviation strategy focused on building strong and sustainable institutions for the poor, leveraging financial resources through commercial banks, promoting sustainable and diversified livelihoods, enhancing human development, and ensuring access to social safety nets and entitlements. Currently, 47,05,267 SHG members are organized into 4,39,123 SHGs, 18,000 Village Organizations (VOs), 553 Mandal Samakhyas (MSs), and 32 Zilla Samakhyas (ZSs). This vast network of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) has facilitated financial inclusion, expanded land-based livelihoods, provided skills training and livelihood support, and improved access to government programs, health, and education outcomes. SERP has the vast experience and expertise of working in the Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) strategy in the past and is looking forward to apply the same for maximizing inclusion in its future programs.

Telangana state has high forest coverage along with economic and climate vulnerability. The state has a diverse demographic profile with a mix of communities and tribes. The State has reported an extent of recorded forest area (RFA) of 26,904 sq km which is 24.00% of its geographical area. There are tribal populations, including PVTGs like the Kolams, Thotis and Chenchus, socially and economically backward areas, facing challenges in having sustainable livelihoods due to limited resources.