The Livelihoods Improvement Project in the Himalayas was implemented between 2006 and 2013, aimed to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable groups in a sustainable way by promoting greater livelihood opportunities and strengthening the local institutions concerned with livelihood development. Implemented in both Meghalaya and Uttarakhand, the project was successful in its sequencing of activities for the engagement of women, firstly, reducing drudgery, then providing empowerment activities through group formation (social and financial), and then building their social capital to engage in livelihood activities. However, a number of challenges affected final results, such as the fact that the project was implemented in two non-contiguous states; there was no cross-learning between the states; and a single budget was allocated for supervision and implementation support, which had to be split between the two states.