PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action) has been covering and bringing to light the contribution of communities in sustainable development through its initiative ‘The Transformers’.
Even as a multitude of well-meaning individuals, corporates, private foundations and governments have poured in trillions of dollars for the “development” of the marginalized and underserved communities and geographies across the world, everyone has asked the mind-boggling question of what will make their development efforts sustainable?
When can development support be “withdrawn” and yet ensure that geographies and communities do not slip back into poverty and a state of neglect and exploitation? Communities, development sector stakeholders and institutions would argue that this may never be possible in a country as large as India, given the long history of lop-sided development in the country and exclusionary social structures. This is aggravated by large intersectional, intergenerational development issues that exist in our society. While the argument is true, it is true only in a limited sense.
Experience has shown time and time again that development work succeeds when there is community partnership, when it is equally driven by the communities where the development projects are undertaken. Only then, the need for development intermediaries and enablers like NGOs recedes over with time, and communities can become self-sustained in pushing their own growth.
Experience has also shown that if communities identify the issues that keep them out of the virtuous cycle of development and can work towards it, nothing can come in their way of joining the ‘mainstream’ economy and society to work and live with dignity. This means ensuring a secured life and livelihood for many generations to come.
PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action) has been covering and bringing to light the contribution of communities in sustainable development through its initiative ‘The Transformers’. The first season captured stories of some pioneering development professionals and Civil Society Organisation leaders. The second season captured efforts and experiences of corporate houses, foundations and government administrators who supported large scale community development programs.
The third and current season focuses on ‘Torch Bearers’ of transformative change. For example, it covers the community from Almora district of Uttarakhand who worked on Save Jungle-Save Life initiative along with the Forest Department, the local administration and Syahi Devi Vikas Manch, Sheetlakhet. And Santo Bai, belonging to Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, who helped strengthen the PRI in her area, with the support of Satpura Integrated Rural Development Institution (SIRDI), to ensure holistic development of the community. These are two inspiring stories of change; there are many more to come.
Communities play a significant role in transformational development of a region and its people. No NGO/ CSO can single-handedly effect change at the grassroots. It needs to be a joint effort, it is about community partnership, with every individual contributing for the overall growth and development of the community and society.
