Hello everyone!
This is our first update.
About Us
Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group
Founded in 1979, Kalpavriksh is a non-governmental organisation engaged in environmental education, research, campaigns and direct action. Rooted in ecological sustainability and social equity, its work spans Alternatives, Environment Education and Conservation & Livelihoods.
Vikalp Sangam (Alternatives Confluence)
Vikalp Sangam is a collective process involving 90+ movements and organisations working towards grounded alternatives to current development models based on ecological destruction and inequality. The process facilitates documentation, outreach, gatherings and policy advocacy for a just and ecologically conscious society.
Project Overview
The project focuses on:
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Creation of Alternatives Courses in multiple formats (online, institutional and in-person) to disseminate frameworks and practices for transformative development.
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Establishment of Alternatives Decentres, physical hubs that document, share and incubate community-driven engagement.
Objective:
To build a collaborative ecosystem of institutions and transformation enablers that nurture co-learning, dignified livelihoods, democratic processes and climate-resilient responses to multiple, intersecting crises.
Ongoings
- Alternatives Decentres
Milestone - Identification of 2 Decentre Partners
Progress & Outcomes -
- Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning HIAL (Ladakh): Visit completed; MoU at drafting stage.
- Sambhaavnaa Institute (Himachal Pradesh): Co-visioning note mutually agreed; site visit scheduled; MoU to follow.
- Preliminary outreach initiated with Timbuktu Collective (Andhra Pradesh).
- Alternatives Courses
Milestone - Formation of Working Group
Progress & Outcomes
TALC (The Alternatives Learning Collective) formed with 25–30 members representing education and community institutions. Holds monthly meetings. (Annex: List of Members)
Milestone - Course Framework & Resources Developed
Progress & Outcomes
- Preliminary course template/concept note created based on Vikalp Sangam learnings.
- Resource documentation and Ethics guidelines drafted (living documents under revision).
- Sub-group to continue focus on online courses
- Two universities currently in discussion to integrate the course.
- In-Person Course
Milestone - Partner Finalisation
Progress & Outcomes
- Sambhaavnaa Institute identified as host for a 1–2 week residential course in early 2026, aligned with their natural building work. Discussions underway to embed FOT (Flower of Transformation) from VS Framework as an analytical and action tool.
Performance Indicators
| Indicator | Current Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Partner Decentres Contacted | 3 contacted (HIAL, Sambhaavnaa, Timbuktu - preliminary outreach) | |
| Formal MoUs | 1 in drafting (HIAL); 1 upcoming after visit (Sambhaavnaa) | |
| TALC Group Meetings | 3 completed | |
Constraints & Mitigation
| Challenge | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Correspondence with HIAL slow | MOU finalization may take time | We will continue correspondence towards finalisation of MOU; if it is seeming difficult this year, we will consider choosing another potential decentre |
Planned Activities for Next Quarter
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Finalise and sign MoU with HIAL, complete visit and MoU with Sambhaavnaa.
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Conduct exploratory call with Timbuktu Collective
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Draft detailed concept note for in-person course (2026).
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Continue inputs to institutions designing alternatives courses as part of TALC forum.
