We are a private developmental organisation commonly known in India as an NGO (non-government organisation). We are working in a province called Orissa in the east coast, south of Calcutta. We believe that development can take place with the communities’ own efforts and that Vikash only needs to facilitate the process. We believe in the strength and power of the people - the toughest task is only to make the community realize and explore their own strengths.
We believe “small is beautiful” but at the same time we realize that small things can perish without making much contribution to the whole. Like streams coming together to form a river, the growth of great civilizations come from a network of small initiatives. Here at Vikash, we have designed our line of action to work in small communities maintaining the beauty and sanctity of small things and networking the activities and organizations to give it a large scale and visible effect.
We will succeed. We will be happy, one day, about our contribution to the development of society.
Issues
Vikash started its work in 1986 for the rights of the leprosy affected persons to get treatment and live in the general society as productive citizens. Human rights be it civil or basic must flow to every one , every where and by every person . It’s the right of every person or living being to have a self actualized and dignified living. The civil society can facilitate the process. Vikash has planned to work on the following issues.
- Right to quality Education
- Right to basic health services
- Rights of disabled persons for equal opportunities
- Right to good habitat
- Right to sustainable livelihood
- Right to live with dignity
- Right to good Governance
How we work
- Pilot initiatives and demonstration
- Development and strengthening of CBOs (community based organizations)-citizens group, interest group
- Development and strengthening of resource centers
- Development of leaders
- Advocacy- campaign, education, lobbying
Networks facilitated
Vikash endeavors for advocacy by community organization. They continue their action beyond any project. This goes along with our philosophy ”Nothing about us without us”.
Some of the networks facilitated are
- Association of disabled people and NGOs working on the issue
- Network of civil society organisations for disaster management
- Network of alternative journalists
- NGOs for good governance
- Network of citizens groups
- Network of women SHGs
Development Sector Promotion
Vikash as a leading civil society organization contributes to the development of the sector. Some of the visible activities are :
NGO networking
Vikash networks with NGOs at district, state, national and international level.It also promotes networks. It plays a leading role in formation and management of the networks.
Development communication
It is facilitating production and circulation of a regular publication committed to development. The publication called “Gramin Sambad” is a typical development fortnightly. It gives focus on poor, disabled people , natural resource management, education , children, basis health , agriculture etc.
Consultancy and guidance
It extends professional development services to NGOs and others professionally.
A institute called Center for Professional Expertise in Development has been established for the purpose.
Professional services to NGOs
It has facilitated establishment of other specialized bodies to extend specific services to the sector. Mukti Institute for Rehabilitation for providing disabled persons rehabilitation services; MEF for providing Child education services. Others are in the offing.
Local fund raising
A institution called Vikash Foundation has been established. The institution has the agenda to raise funds locally in a systematic manner for strengthening of civil society action.
Professional’s development
Vikash takes up training of professionals in the development sector by organizing formal and short-term courses. The programmes are organized in collaboration with training schools. The formal courses have formal recognition. Some of the formal courses are
- ANM certificate cource
- Certificate course for Rehab professionals
Proposed Training Coarses
- Diploma for Nursery teachers
- Masters in Social Work