Key Activities:

  •  Capacity building of NGO partner teams for collection of village level data and micro-level planning.
  •  Research studies conducted
  •  Networking and linkages established at State, National & International levels
  •  CWS trained tribal elected representatives and NGO staff in advocacy, lobbying and campaign techniques. The observation of PESA Day in seven ITDA areas in AP and in Orissa was also an opportunity to network tribal representatives. CWS also engaged with the with Central Ministry of Panchayati Raj, AP PR Commissioner, APARD, CESS, NIRD, APMSS, LOKSATTA, State Sarpanches forum, NCRI.
  •  Building capacities of elected representatives to function properly and emerge as Model GPs in Telangana and Orissa through information on RTI, importance of Gram Sabha and HIV/AIDS.
  •  Organizing experiential learning platforms through collaborative networking activities with solidarity institutions provided opportunities to ERSs from different areas to share their local concerns, eg basic ameneties,natural resources management , marketing for MFP etc.
  •  In Jharkhand there were efforts to impress on demand to hold elections.
  •  In Bihar, a status report on status of Gram Kachari in the State was prepared
  •  In Puducherry, trainings were conducted for panchayat presidents to enhance their understanding of their role an of the Panchayat in Disaster Management, role of Civil Society in strengthening Local Government.
  •  In Tamil Nadu, special training was provided to Dalit ERS and a district level committee was formed to follow up resolutions passed by them.

The constraints and challenges in the sector include absence of commitment on part of the government to decentralise powers to GPs, lack of capacity building for ERs, lack of awareness among ERs on their roles and responsibilities and absence of a common platform of ERs to make their voices heard.