Sustainable Expansion Policy

Our Integrated Sustainable Village Development model was initially tested in four villages in the state of Haryana, India. It is now being replicated in other villages with the help of Village Champions. The Village Champions are locally recruited individuals who combine leadership skills with a keen interest for village development. They act as catalysts to bring a change in the villages. Their dedicated presence also helps make the transformation process participatory. The Foundation provides six months intensive training to the Village Champions before they are deployed in the villages.

In the future, the Village Champions will be trained at the Institute for Rural Research and Development (IRRAD), which is currently being built in Gurgaon, Haryana. IRRAD will play an important role in the expansion as it will extend its training facilities to other NGOs and volunteers. This institute will have separate wings for rural research, advocacy and policy making. It is expected to be operational in 2007.

At the village level, sustainability is further achieved through the establishment of Village Level Institutions (VLIs) that raise funds and implement development activities. After an initial capacity building phase, the VLIs are empowered by involving its members from inception to completion stage in all the projects. Therefore, the VLIs are able to run independently of the Foundation. Village Level Institutions can be registered under the Indian Society Act, which lends them credibility and allows easy access to governmental and non-governmental funds and facilities.