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Tag: #EmpoweringGrassrootsOrganisations

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Partners In Change

How grassroots movements are changing the face of rural India

Infusing Funds into Grassroots Organisations
Infusing Funds into Grassroots Organisations

Before Anna Hazare became the face of a protest movement in India, he was a grassroots worker in the small village of Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra. Through his work, he transformed the village into a model of development from being a drought-affected and poverty-stricken area. It was through the grassroots initiatives led by Anna Hazare that the villagers came together and started projects like watershed management and made their village self-sufficient. This transformation underscores the power of grassroots movements in addressing local challenges and driving rural development.

Challenges and opportunities of rural India

According to estimates, out of the total population of India, around 65 percent lives in the rural areas. This is a massive number considering the total size of India’s population. This is why rural India is also the backbone of the country because of the contribution it makes through agriculture, handicrafts, traditional arts, and many small-scale industries. Rural India also contributes impressively to the economic development of the country and this is why rural consumption is an important metric of assessing India’s growth trajectory.

However, rural India faces persistent challenges, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, limited access to education and healthcare, and environmental degradation. Even today, amidst all the technological growth and diversification of livelihoods, around 47 percent of the rural population depends on agriculture for sustenance. Not just that, even with all the development, many people living in rural India still struggle for access to basic facilities like roads, clean water, electricity, healthcare, etc. Rural female labour force participation has increased from 19.7% in 2018-19 to 27.7% in 2020-21, reflecting progress but also the need for further empowerment. 

This is why, with all the challenges that rural India faces, we need robust grassroots interventions that can create community-driven solutions and bring about a needed change.

What are grassroots movements?

Grassroots movements are those initiatives that originate from and work on the ground. They are community-driven and address the local issues of the people. This is the reason why grassroots movements are also localized and unique to every region. For example, in a region with water scarcity, grassroots movements will primarily focus on creating solutions that deal with that problem. Those solutions will not work in a region which suffers from the problem of flooding every year.

Unlike top-down approaches, grassroots movements originate at the local level, empowering individuals to take ownership of their development. Grassroots movements can focus on various areas, including environmental conservation, economic empowerment, social justice, health, education, etc. The primary strength of any grassroots movement is its ability to mobilize the people, use the knowledge that is available locally, and create solutions that are sustainable in the long run.

Examples of grassroots movements in India

India being a largely rural country for decades has seen many movements that transformed the face of rural regions. Let us look at a few of them:

  1. Chipko movement – This is perhaps a grassroots movement which most of the Indian students study about in their schools. An environment conservation movement that started as a protest against cutting down of trees became a symbol of resilience of people. During the movement, villagers, especially women, hugged the trees to prevent people from cutting them down. The movement not only protected the environment but also highlighted the role that women can play in grassroots movements.
  2. Narmada Bachao Andolan – Led by Medha Patkar, this movement opposed the construction of large dams on the Narmada River, which displaced thousands of tribal communities. While the movement faced challenges, it brought global attention to the rights of marginalized groups and the environmental impact of large-scale projects.
  3. Self-Employed Women’s Association – This is one of the grassroots movements which has created a sustainable impact and continues to do so. Self-help groups in general have helped people in rural areas to come together and support each other. In the case of SEWA, it empowered women by skilling them, providing them micro finance, and helping them set up their businesses.
  4. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – Led by the prime minister of India, this movement became a grassroots initiative in both rural and urban areas, bringing people and administration together to promote cleanliness, improve sanitation facilities, and eliminate open defecation from the country.

Grassroots movements and future of rural development

As we move more and more towards technology and as it becomes easier to connect with each other via the internet, the question may arise about the relevance of grassroots movements. However, it is important to understand that the importance of grassroots movements cannot be ignored, especially as India continues on its growth trajectory. India can only grow if it takes along its rural areas. In future, there are some areas that India needs to put a special focus on:

  1. Climate change – The problem is not only local, but global. India being a majorly agrarian economy, it needs to find more sustainable ways of growing crops which reduces our dependence on excessive use of water. Choosing crops that are a good alternative to water intensive farming and renewable energy can create a big impact for India and the world.
  2. Digital inclusion – There is no denying that digital divide exists in India and to ensure that both urban and rural populations progress in tandem, what we need is to promote digital inclusivity. This can be achieved through government intervention and providing affordable internet access in rural areas.
  3. Healthcare – Even today, a large number of Indians travel to major cities to receive quality healthcare support. If we want our grassroots populations to become self-sufficient, we need to ensure that they have the necessary healthcare facilities available to them locally. This can be achieved by building infrastructure and using digital tools to bring telemedicine and consultation to these areas.
  4. Skill development and education – This is another area which can act like a game changer for India. With a large population in the working age bracket, India can either leverage the opportunity or miss out on the growth that can come by building a productive workforce.
  5. Women’s empowerment – Lastly, India needs to focus heavily on promoting gender equality and empowerment of women because they make up half of the country’s population. By including them in the Indian growth story, the country can move forward at a much faster pace.

Grassroots movements have the potential to transform rural India by addressing local challenges, empowering communities, and fostering sustainable development. The success stories of Ralegan Siddhi, the Chipko Movement, and SEWA demonstrate the power of collective action and community-driven solutions. As India looks to the future, investing in grassroots movements and supporting local leadership will be crucial for achieving inclusive growth and bridging the urban-rural divide. By harnessing the energy and aspirations of rural communities, India can build a more equitable and prosperous society for all.

Smile Foundation strengthening grassroots organizations

Smile Foundation supports grassroots organizations through its ‘Empowering Grassroots‘ programme, which aims to enhance the capabilities of community-based organizations (CBOs) to achieve local sustainability and effectiveness. This initiative aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission by focusing on several key areas:

  • Capacity Building: The programme offers training in governance, leadership, communication, fundraising, and resource mobilization to help CBOs improve their organizational planning and operational efficiency.
  • Workshops and Training Sessions: Regular workshops and face-to-face learning sessions are conducted throughout the year, enabling CBOs to address operational challenges and maximize their impact on the ground.
  • Promoting Local Fundraising: The foundation emphasizes mobilizing local support to reduce dependency on foreign resources, fostering self-reliance among grassroots organizations.

Through these efforts, Smile Foundation has built the capacities of over 500 grassroots development organizations, strengthening the base of India’s socio-economic pyramid and promoting sustainable community development. 

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Partnerships Smile

From Grassroots Organisations to Glory: Changing Lives

From Grassroots Organisations to Glory: Changing Rural Lives
Over 5000 hand holding sessions conducted with community-based NGOs in more than 950 villages across 25 states in India within a year

We often talk about the importance of rural growth for the overall development of a country. This is especially true in the case of India, whose majority of the population still resides in the rural parts of the country. As per World Bank data, 64 percent of the Indians lived in rural regions in 2022. While this number has been steadily declining because of continued migration to urban areas in search of jobs, quality of life and education, there is also a need to improve the overall quality of life in rural India. This can be achieved through sustainable rural development with a focus on areas like health, education, infrastructure, livelihood, etc.

While the responsibility lies with the government to ensure equitable access to resources for the rural population, there are many other factors at play that influence this distribution. First, the concentration of private enterprises, manufacturing facilities, corporate offices, etc., in some urban areas means that employment options are also predominantly available in these places. With the influx of people seeking employment and the rising level of income, better healthcare facilities, education institutions and infrastructure also become possible.

However, this is not the case in rural India, which is primarily dependent on agriculture as a source of livelihood. Research has found that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find employment in the smaller towns in India as compared to the big cities. This reflects the poor availability of employment opportunities in rural areas apart from traditional livelihood opportunities. This is the reason why empowering rural India needs to be a focus of grassroots organisations like Smile Foundation does through its Empowering Grassroots initiative. The gap that is created by the urban-rural divide in terms of employment opportunities further leads to other problems like inadequate infrastructure, lack of good quality healthcare facilities, premier educational institutions and much more.

Government intervention

India’s Economic Survey of 2022-23, presented by the finance minister, underscores the government’s commitment to rural development, aiming to enhance the quality of life and achieve equitable and inclusive growth. The Survey highlights that most of the population of India resides in rural areas, with a significant portion dependent on agriculture. The government’s strategy involves a multi-faceted approach to boost rural income and living standards. Initiatives like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) empower economically disadvantaged households with self-employment and skilled job opportunities, fostering sustainable livelihoods.

This mission, driven by community participation, has mobilised millions of women into Self Help Groups (SHGs), enhancing their socio-economic status. Additionally, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has provided employment to millions of households, generating substantial person-days of work. The scheme’s focus on asset creation, such as farm ponds and horticulture plantations, has positively influenced agricultural productivity and household income while curbing migration and indebtedness.

The survey also notes significant improvements in rural living conditions, including better access to electricity, clean water, and health insurance coverage. Women empowerment has seen a marked increase, with more women participating in decision-making, owning bank accounts, and using mobile phones. These advancements reflect the proactive efforts of the government in socio-economic inclusion and empowerment, transforming rural lives and livelihoods for the better.

The strength of grassroots organisations

One of the biggest advantages that grassroots organisations have is that they are embedded in the local culture and societies. They understand the specific needs of rural communities and can cater to these needs accordingly. They serve as the first line of support for the people in rural communities. The marginalised population in these areas may not have the wherewithal to voice their needs and access opportunities. This is where grassroots organisations come in. They are the key players in grassroots development in India and around the world.

The Covid-19 pandemic has further underscored the need of these grassroots organisations as they served as an important support for the government in providing necessary help to the rural communities.

Empowering rural India through Grassroots Organisations

As mentioned above, infrastructure, education and healthcare are key to the growth of rural India. Apart from this, a sustained investment is needed to promote gender equality, digital inclusion, skill development, women education, etc. One of the most key factors of rural empowerment is promoting women entrepreneurship in rural India. Traditional crafts, local delicacies and innovative solutions can aid the economic growth of rural women, which further helps in the overall growth of the rural economy. 

Access to finance and entrepreneurial support is vital for these women to realise their full potential. Banks and financial institutions are instrumental in this regard, offering financial products, services and capacity-building initiatives tailored to their needs. These institutions can also promote inclusive banking practices, ensuring women have the necessary resources, knowledge and networks to succeed.

Grassroots initiatives are central to rural empowerment and development because of their focus on sustainability and keeping it at the core of whatever they do. Organic farming, renewable energy, waste management and water conservation are not just strategies but a way of life that these initiatives promote, ensuring the nation’s development does not come at the cost of its environment. Not just that, grassroots organisations also unite the communities and encourage their participation in decision-making processes. This strengthens the democratic fabric of the country and empowers these citizens to make better political decisions.

The road ahead

As India is in the middle of a demographic dividend and desperately needs to exploit it to aid rapid economic growth fully, the need for rural development is even more pressing today. There is a huge potential in rural economies, which remains untapped. The art forms, traditional crafts and a large workforce can provide a big market opportunity in India and internationally. There are startups that are now looking towards the rural potential and bringing forward products that may find demand in the urban population. Apart from this, the government continues to invest in rural growth through its schemes. The road ahead might be long, but we need to continue working tirelessly to achieve maximum growth and achieve the glory that we deserve.

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