Looking Ahead:

We foresee communities where women and girls live with their families with dignity and equal opportunity, where children are safe and nurtured, and where families can grow sustainable livelihoods that support the environment.

Jeevika believes in investing in people, strengthening community institutions, and promoting strong local leaders as part of its shared goal of forging inclusive leadership in the communities so that everyone can thrive with confidence, security, and respect.

Community Development is one of Jeevika’s core activities. Jeevika has been working with rural communities in South 24-Parganas and its adjoining areas in West Bengal since its inception through its various activities from time to time to strengthen local leadership and collective action, be it through its livelihood support work or any other.

Jeevika’s presence has also been like that of a partner in the community’s journey towards long-term social and economic wellbeing. We promote participation, respect for dignity, and inclusion. We have been working with the communities for almost 3 decades, fostering development and sustainable change. We partner with the communities in identifying challenges, building required capacities, and collectively designing solutions that respond to the context and complexities of their own culture and lived experiences. We usually work on collectivization and group formation.

Jeevika facilitates and empowers women’s groups and community-based platforms that elevate women’s confidence, provide access to financial and social services, and enable them to participate actively in decisions about families and community. These collectives allow them to unite, recognise their rights, and support each other.

Jeevika’s work on community development over the years has contributed to building stronger grassroots leadership and greater community ownership in its focus areas.

• Some women have taken on their voice and leadership in their household and in the community, and men have started supporting them in some cases.

• Rural families have been working to generate livelihood opportunities towards gaining financial security.

• Community volunteer groups of Alor Disha, Alor Barta and the Survivor’s Forum have been responding to local concerns, especially on addressing violence against women, ensuring the protection of children and accessing justice.

• Adolescents have formed safe spaces with the help of peers, where they are learning, leading, and developing their voices.

• Farmers have started adopting sustainable practices that enhance both livelihood and environmental resilience.

Alongside this, the organisation has been working to use the SALT (Support, Appreciate, Learn/Link, Team/Transfer) and CLCP (Community Life Competence Process* ref to image) approaches to engage with some newer communities, including some of it’s existing ones, to address root causes and bring about change.

Community Development