ACTION and IMPACT

Working Locations

Vikas Sahyog Kendra operates across three districts of Jharkhand: Palamau, Latehar, and Garhwa. Its initiatives encompass over 12,000 households across 130 villages, 25 panchayats, and 5 blocks within these districts

Communities:

Vikas Sahyog Kendra actively works with Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), other tribal communities, Scheduled Castes, and economically disadvantaged families. The organization places a strong focus on supporting women, small-scale farmers, laborers, and marginalized individuals in need.

Building Community Institutions:

Vikas Sahyog Kendra (VSK) fosters Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) such as self-help groups, water users' groups, labor groups, women farmers' clubs, and farmer producer organizations. These CBOs serve as the foundation of VSK’s programs, promoting activities like savings, credit access, and sustainable livelihood development, ensuring effective implementation of its initiatives.

Farmers Producers’ Organizations:

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

Vikas Sahyog Kendra (VSK) established two Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to integrate small and marginal farmers into the agricultural value chain and promote crop diversity to mitigate risks. These FPOs are located in Jaura village (Chhatarpur block, Palamau district) and Manika (Latehar district). To strengthen their capabilities, VSK conducted a six-day training program covering NPM-based business plans, processing unit setup, outlet store establishment, SFAC applications, and NABARD funding opportunities. Members also participated in exposure visits to learn about collective business practices and farm mechanization for enhanced production.

Village Development Committee:

Village Development Committee and Cluster Facilitator Team Project

Under the Cluster Facilitator Team (CFT) project, a Village Development Committee (VDC) was established in Chhatarpur block of Palamau district. The project, implemented across 95 villages in 22 panchayats, aimed to provide technical and advocacy support to laborers under MGNREGA. In collaboration with local communities, the team identified and mapped common water bodies in 7 villages and developed a strategic plan for their rejuvenation. Additionally, 483 hectares of common wasteland were identified for potential use. The CFT organized 187 labor group meetings across the villages, resulting in the identification of 131 active labor groups to enhance participation and impact.

Land and Water Management

Land is a cornerstone of sustainable rural livelihoods, driving Vikas Sahyog Kendra's (VSK) Land and Water Resource Development program. This initiative focuses on restoring and managing natural resources to extend livelihood opportunities in rural areas. VSK has leveraged substantial public funds (₹1.87 crore), primarily through MGNREGA, to support land and water development projects. Acting as a technical facilitator, VSK collaborates with gram panchayats to design and implement targeted, well-planned projects. Covering over 200 villages in Palamau and Latehar districts, this model has successfully supported village institutions in creating infrastructure to enhance livelihoods for marginalized communities.