Annual Programme Update I Year-3 (August 2025-July 2026)

gram_vikas · July 20, 2026, 4:54am

Annual Programme Update I Year-3 (August 2025-July 2026)

The completion of the third year of the partnership between Rainmatter Foundation and Gram Vikas for the project “Localizing Climate Resilience in the Eastern Ghats region of Odisha and Jharkhand” is expected to enable Gram Vikas to build better understanding, perspective, plans and capabilities to address these issues. This process goes on in parallel with the ongoing work under the Water Secure Gram Panchayat Programme. The Project began implementation in August 2023.

The overall objective of the programme is to ‘demonstrate community-managed climate resilience efforts in the Eastern Ghats region Odisha and Jharkhand, to influence State Government policies and actions’. This is expected to be achieved through:

Building communities’ capabilities to plan, design, implement and monitor activities related to reduce impacts of climate-related hazards and natural disasters, and
Enabling local governance system to adopt processes contributing to short-term and long-term climate resilience for rural communities

The Programme is built on the back of the Water Secure Gram Panchayat Programme of Gram Vikas.

As part of the Project, Gram Vikas has played an active role in the Climate Rise Alliance, with inputs for advancing the objectives of the bioregional and SOTH practice and learning from the work around basket of needs. Gram Vikas is also engaging with the Innovation Guild and the GRE platforms and has been part of discussions in the Odisha sandbox.

Sense of the House (SoTH) Practice

As part of our work, Gram Vikas has undertaken several initiatives to build organisation-wide understanding of the Sense of the House (SOTH) Practice. A comprehensive SOTH facilitation deck was prepared in-house and shared with the SOTH Alliance. It was also shared widely among the participants of the Mohuda @50 event organised to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of work at Mohuda, which eventually became Gram Vikas.

SoTH Pilot Orientation and Demonstration of system thinking:

A pilot SoTH orientation for internal staff was conducted in May using a draft customized orientation module developed from the existing SoTH deck. Based on the feedback, reflections, and new additions from the pilot, the module will be revised to make it simpler and more contextual.

Gram Vikas’ focus in the SOTH practice are in two areas.

Build awareness, understanding, sensitivity and capabilities among staff and Gram Vikas Saathi, as a necessary condition for SOTH practice in all aspects of Gram Vikas’ work with community partners.
The Clean Koinpur Initiative, focussing on community led action for sustainability and resilience in Koinpur Gram Panchayat in Rayagada block of Gajapati district in Odisha.

Internal processes and capacity building for SOTH
## Exposure on the SoTH Implementation by PRADAN at Ranchi

Gram Vikas team visited PRADAN’s operational areas in Ranchi, Jharkhand (Jan 19-23, 2026). The team is able to see Community-led development model, Institutional innovations (SHGs, federations, producer companies) as Gram Vikas also holds the same structure and approach in the community. The Climate-smart practices in agriculture, water, and disaster management and Collaborations for scale and sustainability. The water security programme is a key initiative for Gram Vikas, aiming to make communities resilient through climate-smart agriculture. Gram Vikas’s grassroots innovations in resource management and social inclusion have empowered marginalized communities to access and integrate into mainstream development. SoTH Exposure

## Changemakers Retreat at Coonoor:

The Coonoor retreat enabled Gram Vikas staff to engage in cross-sector peer learning, contributing to organisational knowledge on collaborative leadership, innovation, and changemaker support systems. Insights from the shared fellowship ecosystem — including access to tools, mentorship models, and diverse problem-solving approaches — can inform Gram Vikas in strengthening its internal capacity-building frameworks, fostering adaptive thinking, and integrating broader networks, resources, and co-learning practices into its programme and institutional development processes. Changemaker Retreat.

## Goonj Collaboration for deepening Gram Swabhiman Approach:

Gram Vikas’ collaboration with Goonj is being positioned as an institutional step toward deepening the Gram Swabhiman and Sense of the House (SoTH) framework within WSGP mobilisation. The partnership supports operational integration of the Cloth for Work (CfW) approach as a community-led engagement tool that strengthens local institutions and nurtures development driven from within villages. At the organisational level, this collaboration enables process refinement, cross-learning, and system strengthening through shared documentation, technical exchange, and practice-based insights. The 11 habitations of 414 households are being engaged for the community led activities on community issues like: pond renovation/cleaning, water source cleaning, road reparation, Drainage construction and cleaning etc.

The synergy creates a structured platform for embedding Gram Swabhiman principles into programme design, implementation systems, and institutional culture, ensuring community ownership remains central to organisational action. Gram Swabhiman Approach, Cloth for Work

Clean Koinpur Initiative

The Clean Koinpur Initiative aims to establish Koinpur Gram Panchayat as the cleanest in Odisha and a model of community-led waste management and environmental stewardship. Guided by the Sense of the House (SoTH) Framework, the initiative places people and place at the centre, recognizing the community as the primary owners and custodians of their environment, while institutions play a supportive role. Through the coordinated efforts of the Gram Panchayat, Forest Department and local communities, the initiative promotes improved waste management, plastic-free practices, environmental conservation, and responsible tourism in the Mahendragiri region. It is a community-driven initiative that builds on local resources, strengths, and opportunities to create a clean, healthy, and self-reliant Panchayat that reflects local pride and environmental stewardship.

Initiative on Waste Segregation and Management:

Waste Assessment of 22 villages
13 key locations, identified as waste hotspots including the Shivrati Festival .

The waste management assessment identifies several critical hotspots across the region. The Shivratri Mela on 15 February 2026 at Mahendragiri is a major event-based waste generator, where a large influx of visitors within a short period creates a significant temporary waste management challenge that requires a dedicated and well-planned response. Koinpur Chowk and Burukhata, the busiest commercial areas with the highest number of waste bins (20 and 9 respectively), continue to experience unsegregated waste disposal and widespread littering, demonstrating that infrastructure alone is ineffective without public awareness, behavioral change, and enforcement. Meanwhile, Teraba Chowk, Kantagaon Chowk, and Dengaamaba Chowk, which are popular picnic destinations, face the most severe environmental issues, as both solid waste and human waste are disposed of directly into or near the Mahendratanaya River, leading to serious water pollution. In contrast, Gambaribada Camp represents a positive example, with five bins, waste segregation, and regular collection managed by the site owner, although the continued practice of burning collected waste highlights the need for more sustainable disposal methods. Similarly, the Weekly Haat, which hosts around 70 stalls and attracts approximately 500 visitors each week, exposes the inadequacy of existing waste management systems, as its single unused waste bin and dependence on informal volunteers and school groups for periodic cleaning illustrate the absence of a structured and sustainable waste management approach.

Mahendragiri Adventure Fest and Community Initiation

The Mahendragiri Fest 2026 was organized by the Government of Odisha during the month
of April 2026 with the objective of promoting tourism, particularly adventure-based
activities. The event witnessed participation from approximately 400 individuals
representing 15 states across India. The Honourable Deputy Chief Minister, Prabhati Parida,
attended the event as the Chief Guest.In preparation for the event, the local Panchayat and Block administration undertook immediate cleanliness drives to ensure that the main roads of Koinpur Gram Panchayat were clean and welcoming. The Clean Koinpur Committee actively supported these efforts by identifying key locations within the Panchayat where waste accumulation was high and required attention. Prior to the event, the committee organized a planning meeting to define their roles in waste management and awareness generation. Responsibilities were distributed among members to ensure effective coordination. The committee also collaborated with the Panchayat and event organizers to arrange dustbins at all major locations. During the event, the committee members played an active role in maintaining cleanliness and spreading awareness among participants and visitors. After the event, the local
administration collected around 1500 units of plastic waste, particularly bottles, and transported them to Paralakhemundi Material recovery Facility centre. Indepth Interview of Clean Koinpur Committee members:

To understand and unpack their worldview about cleanliness and Waste management.Twenty-two interviews conducted in 22 villages in Koinpir Gram panchayat.

Local Economic Development for Resilient Communities

These activities align with the Basket of Needs approach, with scoping, mapping, and inventorying of local consumption supply chains as one step, with intensive focus on local economic development through local action.

Block Enterprise Profile

Gram Vikas is actively implementing the Micro Enterprise Development Programme in several blocks within Odisha. A critical component of the programme is to understand the existing production-distribution-consumption patterns in the local area and make reasonable estimates about the enterprise development potential for the Block. The Block Enterprises Profile exercise is being carried out towards this.

The Block Enterprises Profile will enable Gram Vikas to make informed decisions tailored to each block and help allocate resources efficiently and design enterprise development activities that reflect local needs and aspirations. It will:

Understand existing household consumption patterns and collect and analyse the data on local enterprises to understand the existing supply situation.
Understand the sub-sectoral potential for enterprise development based on commodities and demands for services
Identify opportunities, resources, challenges, and gaps for micro enterprises development in the Block.

The Block Enterprise Profile has three components - Household Demand Assessment, Sub-sectoral Analysis and Supply-side Assessment, that will help us collect and understand the overall consumption and demand pattern in a particular block. In the first phase, the profiles are being prepared for Daringbadi blocks in Kandhamal district and Rayagada block in Gajapati district.

### Daringbadi Block Enterprise Profile — Summary Report
The study covered 104 households from across 16 Gram Panchayats of Daringbaid to understand a representative figure on the consumption pattern in the villages. The preliminary results from the study are as follows.

Enterprise Census:
A total of roughly 502 enterprises were recorded across the block. Kirana stores (68) are the dominant business category, followed by tea stalls (32), fast food outlets (30), CSC/Xerox centres (27), and garment shops (27). By business type, trading enterprises dominate (249), ahead of production (104) and services (99). By scale, small businesses are most common (234), followed by medium (144) and large (74) pointing to a largely fragmented, small-scale enterprise landscape.

Assessment of Potential (Household Consumption Demand)
Transportation services top monthly household expenditure (₹1,34,195), followed closely by vegetables (₹1,05,370) and kirana goods (₹93,330). Other high-spend categories include garments, mobile recharge, medical diagnostics, cooking oil, and pulses.

Cross-referencing this demand against existing supply suggests strong potential to expand or establish general/kirana stores catering to daily essentials, along with dedicated vegetable and fruit vending.

Key Findings of Assessment:

Households average 6 members, skewing toward medium-to-large family sizes.
Essential goods (milk products, cooking oil, tea/coffee, toilet items, vegetables) are purchased most frequently, mostly on a weekly/monthly basis, with milk bought daily in some areas alone.
Local sourcing dominates — most purchases happen within the village, followed by block-level markets.
The market is led by grocery, vendor, and general-store type businesses, mostly small/micro fixed shops — reflecting a stable but small-scale retail infrastructure.

## Weekly Haat Profiling and Assessment:

Gram Vikas has also initiated the haat assessment in a structured, in-depth study of a weekly rural market conducted as part of the block profiling. It analyses how the market functions economically, socially, and institutionally, who participates (vendors, buyers, transporters, intermediaries), what goods and services are traded, and what constraints or opportunities affect efficiency, inclusiveness, hygiene, and income generation. It serves as a diagnosis of the rural market ecosystem. The purpose of the study is to understand market dynamics (flow of goods, people, and money), Measure livelihood impact on farmers, traders, SHGs, and rural enterprises.

To understand the Market Dynamics, how products, people, and money flow through the haat. Assess Livelihood Impact, that determines how the haat supports local farmers, traders, women’s SHGs, and rural enterprises. Monitor change over time – use findings as a benchmark to measure improvement in income, infrastructure, and participation.

Findings of Haat Assessment:

The primary assessment of Rayagada (7 haats ) and Daringbadi (4 haats) indicates that both markets play a vital role in the rural economy by serving as key centres for trade, employment, and the distribution of essential commodities. The trader population spans a wide age range, reflecting active participation of both young entrepreneurs and experienced merchants, with several retailers operating continuously for more than two to three decades, demonstrating strong business stability and locational loyalty. While market activities are predominantly male-led, women make significant contributions through small-scale enterprises, particularly in the sale of vegetables, dry fish, food items, cosmetics, stationery, and other household goods. Both haats are closely integrated with regional and interstate supply chains.

A large share of clothing, footwear, household plastics, and consumer goods is sourced from wholesale markets in Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Raipur, and Kolkata, while specialized products such as textiles, Ayurvedic items, and seafood are procured from other states. The retail landscape in both markets is dominated by four broad product categories: grocery items, apparel and textiles, footwear and household plastic goods, and traditional crafts and micro-services, including bamboo products, tailoring, blacksmithing, and sal leaf products. Overall, the assessment highlights that Rayagada functions as a major regional trading and distribution centre, whereas Daringbadi primarily serves as a local consumer market. supporting the surrounding tribal and rural communities, with both markets contributing significantly to local livelihoods and regional market integration.

Micro enterprise Development

During the reporting period, the Micro-Enterprise Development Programme was implemented across 33 blocks in the districts of Bargarh, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal. The programme aimed to strengthen sustainable livelihoods through the promotion of locally relevant micro-enterprises. A decentralised support system comprising 157 Gram Udyog Mitra facilitated enterprise development by providing end-to-end handholding support, including enterprise identification, business planning, access to finance, market linkages, and convergence with government schemes.

As a result, 27,795 micro-enterprises were promoted across farm, off-farm, and non-farm sectors, with a majority of enterprises being women-led, reflecting the programme’s focus on women’s economic empowerment. Beyond enterprise numbers, the programme has contributed to improved household incomes, livelihood diversification, enhanced financial inclusion, strengthened leadership and decision-making capacities of women, local employment generation, and increased economic resilience among vulnerable households. 4949 number of entrepreneurs have supported the Performance Tracking System under the WSGP programme.

## Value Chain Development in the farm sector:

Gram Vikas, in partnership with Harsha Trust and supported by Practical Action Consulting, conducted a Value Chain Study across six districts of Odisha to strengthen sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural value chains involving farmers, traders, enterprises, and government agencies. Focusing on crops such as maize, pigeon pea, paddy, ragi, groundnut, mustard, sunflower, mango, and cashew, the initiative promoted crop diversification, improved agronomic practices, and localized market systems to enhance income stability while supporting climate adaptation in rainfed regions. Specifically as we see the progress of the supply and value chain management as follows:

Ganjam: During Kharif 2025–26, pigeon pea seed production was undertaken on 1,360 acres. In addition, 430 women across Bargarh and Ganjam adopted groundnut cultivation on 455 acres, contributing to the promotion of diversified and climate-resilient farming systems.

Gajapati: During Kharif 2025–26, pigeon pea cultivation expanded to 2,000 acres, while sunflower was introduced as a rice-fallow crop on 2,000 acres. Overall, pigeon pea was cultivated on more than 1,500 acres by 16,004 women across 142 villages, generating an average per capita income of approximately ₹44,000, with crop management and technical support provided by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Sunflower cultivation further expanded to over 2,500 acres, engaging 1,675 women and demonstrating the potential of utilizing rice-fallow lands for additional income generation. Improved turmeric varieties were cultivated by women across Gajapati and Kandhamal on 2,681 acres. A pilot on biofortified finger millet covered more than 100 acres with 33 women across two blocks, producing nearly 55 quintals in partnership with HarvestPlus Solutions and ICRISAT. The district also established weekly Haats led by women collectives with the support of Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis, strengthening local markets and community integration.

Bargarh: During Rabi 2025–26, improved mustard cultivation practices were adopted on 140 acres. In addition, mustard was cultivated on more than 70 acres by 65 farmers, with the harvested produce linked to a women-led processing unit for value addition. The processed mustard oil was marketed locally, across the district, and through Swayamshree Bazaar in Bhubaneswar, strengthening market access and enhancing producer returns. Women from Bargarh also contributed to groundnut cultivation across 455 acres jointly with Ganjam, while the district participated in the establishment of women-led weekly Haats.

Kandhamal: Women in Kandhamal, along with Gajapati, cultivated improved turmeric varieties on 2,681 acres using improved varieties. The district also participated in establishing women-led weekly Haats, strengthening local market systems and community engagement.

Capacity building activities
## Group Livelihood for Development workshop:

The GLIDE (Group Livelihood for Development) workshop was conducted in two batches for key livelihood stakeholders. The first batch (August 11–13, Mohuda) trained Gram Udyog Mitras, along with selected livelihood field staff and Block Enterprise Mentors, strengthening their skills to support village-level enterprise development. The second batch (January 14–16, Rudhapadar) brought together participants from six Gram Panchayats, with Gram Vikas Saathi contributing to facilitation while also gaining hands-on learning.

The workshop explored strengths from 25 participants from 6 Gram Panchayats. They identified 78 local skills, with 64 capable of generating immediate livelihoods. Mapped 238 locally available raw materials, including - 102 naturally available (uncultivated) resources and 136 cultivated resources.

One of the key learnings from the session showed us how participatory training can be conducted and how training can adopt this practice better. GLIDE is a participatory approach that helps individuals recognise local capacities and opportunities for livelihood diversification through enterprises. Gram Vikas is trying to promote a self-realisation model, enabling participants to initiate ventures with minimal dependence on external inputs such as formal skill training, raw materials, financial aid, or marketing support. For more details: Glide Workshop

Engagements as part of the larger ecosystem of Rainmatter Foundation partners

Gram Vikas has been an active participant in several of the strategic initiatives taken up by the Rainmatter Foundation. Updates on the engagements related to GRE, IG and Odisha sandbox are provided below.

Green Rural Economy platform

During the reporting period, Gram Vikas initiated collaboration with the Green Rural Economy (GRE) platform to better respond to community-raised demands captured through our internal demand database. The database currently contains approximately 45,000 demands across 55 categories, representing articulated needs from rural communities. A preliminary review indicated that a significant number of these demands correspond with solutions already listed within the GRE Solutions Hub. The collaboration was therefore designed to bridge community demand articulation with a structured repository of vetted solutions. Activities taken up include:

Gram Vikas was formally enrolled on the GRE platform.
Internal coordination was undertaken to refine and categorize priority demands for platform integration.
Demands around lighting the community spaces were uploaded on the GRE platform.
Exploratory discussions were conducted to integrate GRE access within the Gram Vikas Saathi ecosystem, enabling field-level functionaries to identify and connect community demands with appropriate solutions in real time.

The next phase of engagement will focus on systematically mapping high-frequency demand categories to relevant solution providers listed on the GRE platform and assessing their contextual suitability. Gram Vikas will also plan capacity building plans for Gram Vikas Saathi on using the GRE platform to identify solutions available to challenges they identify in their communities. Further exploration will be undertaken to streamline integration within digital field tools to ensure easier access, tracking, and responsiveness to community-raised demands.

Innovation Guild

Analysis of the community demand database indicates that most livelihood-related demands relate to animal husbandry, farmer support services, technology use, and input access. To address these needs more structurally, Gram Vikas engaged with the Innovation Guild platform, particularly its Village Level Entrepreneur Network (VLEN), which focuses on strengthening local enterprise capacity and improving access to tools and services. The engagement was also aligned with strengthening the design and field relevance of the Jeevika Mitra Fellowship. Activities taken up include:

Initiated structured engagement with the Innovation Guild team.
Reviewed the Village Level Entrepreneur Network model to identify applicable components for Jeevika Mitra GVS fellowship.
Identified opportunities to link Jeevika Mitra and Farmer Producer Group with innovation-led tools and services. One problem statement has been generated in the format prescribed by Innovation Guild and shared for identifying suitable solutions.

Odisha Sandbox:
## Climate Champion Exposure to Gram Vikas Mohuda

A total of 82 Climate Champions from Nature’s Club, along with 29 staff members, 4 representatives from Socratus, 9 members of the Natya Manch team, 36 Gram Vikas Saathis, and 10 additional Gram Vikas staff came together for a three-day cross-learning and experience-sharing workshop. The event created a collaborative platform for grassroots changemakers to interact, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

The Climate Champions gained valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journeys of the Gram Vikas Saathi Fellowship and the community engagement approach of the Natya Manch team. They also explored how the Seeds of the Human (SoTH) framework could be integrated into their own initiatives to strengthen local climate action.

Regular activities under the Project:

The Project has taken up several activities as part of the project activity framework. Progress of these activities are given in detail, in three categories – System-level activities, Community-level activities, and Implementation-level activities. The summary table provided at the end gives a quick view of the progress and plans for 2026.

System level Activities
## Evidence-based Village Climate Action Plan

The Village Prosperity and Resilience Plan (VPRP) is being done in collaboration with the Gram Panchayats in all habitations. The Water Security Plan (WSP) for the habitation and the GP – the model of WSP is being tested and completed in 77 villages in Kandhamal district, 22 villages in Kalahandi, 10 villages in Gajapati and 50 villages in Ganjam. As of now 152 villages have completed the rollout of the Water Passbook.

The Water Security Plan has been completed in 74 villages (10 Gajapati, 16 Kandhamal, 22 Kalahandi, 26 Ganjam) using the Water Passbook.

A water security plan ensures sustainable access to clean water, enhancing health, livelihoods, and resilience in the community. It helps manage resources, prevent conflicts, and adapt to climate challenges.

## Convergence Mela:

The Convergence Melas organised at the Gram Panchayat level have evolved into a sustainable platform for generating informed demand and strengthening entitlement access for local communities. These Melas facilitate structured engagement between communities and stakeholders at District, Block, and GP levels, enabling people to articulate their needs and claim their rightful entitlements through institutional channels. As of July 2026, 31 Convergence mela’s have been facilitated at 31 Gram Panchayats, where GPCCs collectively submitted over 45,000 demand applications to relevant government departments, reinforcing a community-driven and system-linked model of inclusive development. Convergence Mela.

## Multidimensional framework to map factors influencing climate resilience: The Rural Settlement Study:

Gram Vikas has initiated a study to understand the patterns and drivers of growth in rural settlements across Odisha at the Gram Panchayat level, while also identifying the planning mechanisms and tools. The scoping and field-based data collection have been completed in Koinpur Gram Panchayat, and the consultations with the Gram Panchayat Coordination Committee (GPCC) and other key community stakeholders has been undertaken. Similar scoping and data collection activities have also commenced in Sirtiguda Gram Panchayat, Kandhamal district.

Building on this work, Gram Vikas is collaborating with SEEDS India to develop a framework for rural settlement planning with water security as the central theme. As part of this collaboration, a joint scoping exercise was carried out in Sirtiguda Gram Panchayat. In addition, a Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) is currently underway in Tarava Gram Panchayat in partnership with the GPCC and community members. The assessment will identify local hazards and vulnerabilities, enabling the GPCC to present the findings to the Block Panchayat for integration into local planning and risk reduction initiatives.

### Social Action Fellowship Programme

The Gram Vikas Saathi (GVS) Fellowship Programme was further strengthened during the year by streamlining the selection process and centralising its coordination under the Programme Unit. The fellowship has been standardised through a common cohort-based model, ensuring a more structured and consistent enrolment process across locations.

A total of 73 fellows were inducted into the 2025–26 cohort, of whom 59 continuing the fellowship. Meanwhile, 63 fellows from the previous cohort successfully graduated in March 2026. To strengthen the capacities of the current cohort, ten training programmes were organised during the year, including three non-thematic and three thematic sessions. The non-thematic training focused on developing foundational enterprise development skills while enhancing the fellows’ knowledge and competencies to support community-led development initiatives.

## Gram Panchayat Migrant Registry

Registration is conducted through village-level outreach by Pravasi Mitras, destination-level support in Kerala, self-registration via QR codes, and helpline assistance.

To date, 2,226 migrants from 23 districts have been registered, with 91.8% male and 82.6% migrating to Kerala, primarily from Ganjam and Kandhamal. Construction is the largest employment sector (39.5%), followed by factory work and hospitality. While registration has progressed well in focus blocks such as Surada and Daringbadi, challenges remain, including migrants being away at destinations, incomplete family information, low awareness, and digital literacy barriers.

Migrant registry handover has been completed in four Gram Panchayats, 2 each in Surada (Ganjam District) and Daringbadi (Kandhamal District)

Planned improvements include simplified IEC materials, audio-based registration using Bhashini, secure registry dashboards, greater Panchayat ownership, and regular chatbot-based communication to enhance enrolment, grievance redressal, insurance uptake, and migrant engagement.

Community level activities
## Gram Vikas Saathi Hub: Entreprises of Gram Vikas Saathi

The Gram Vikas Saathi Hub is being promoted as a collective enterprise model comprising graduates of the Gram Vikas Saathi Fellowship and other young people associated with Gram Vikas. The model enables members to function as group entrepreneurs, addressing local development needs while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities within their communities.

During the year, two Saathi Hubs were fully established, while the formation of two additional hubs is underway in Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. These hubs are envisioned as community-based enterprises that respond to local gaps in development, resource management, and service delivery. To strengthen the model, Gram Vikas has developed a formal Saathi Hub framework and Terms of Engagement, providing a clear operational structure that enables members to identify local challenges, deliver development-linked services, and generate income through accountable and collaborative enterprise mechanisms.

To build the entrepreneurial capacity of Hub members, Gram Vikas, in collaboration with AGBiz, organised an advanced enterprise development training programme. The training covered key aspects of enterprise management, including budgeting, expense management, bookkeeping, financial record maintenance, and business planning, equipping members with the practical skills required to manage and sustain collective enterprises.

The Kalahandi and Tumba Saathi Hubs are currently implementing assignments under the Water Security and Growth Programme (WSGP). The Tumba Saathi Hub in Ganjam is also undertaking baseline surveys, land parcel mapping, and water source inventory activities. These engagements demonstrate the Hub’s role in delivering locally relevant technical and planning services while strengthening community self-reliance and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural youth.Saathi Hub Term of Engagement.

## Network for the Water Secure Gram Panchayat(NWSGP):

Gram Vikas has launched the Network for the Water Secure Gram Panchayat for larger collaboration with multiple stakeholders for the expansion of the WSGP intervention across Odisha and Jharkhand. Gram Vikas successfully partnered with seven grassroots organizations, creating a collaborative platform to scale the Water Secure Gram Panchayat approach across diverse geographies in Odisha. Demonstrated scalability through decentralized implementation: Within six months, the network expanded the WSGP model to 405 habitations across 21 Gram Panchayats, showing that a standardized framework can be implemented effectively by multiple local organizations. Partner organizations adopted common planning processes, baseline methodologies, water source inventory tools, and community mobilization approaches, strengthening their capacity to independently implement WSGP.

7 grassroots partner organizations implementing a common WSGP framework 21 Gram Panchayats covered during the first six-month scale-up phase. 405 habitations brought under the network. The Network also has adopted the Gram Swabhiman approach for the community mobilisation. The Convergence model is going to be adopted by the Partner organisation to be facilitated by GPCC members in their respective gram panchayats. As part of the network commitments at least one Gram Panchayat to roll out the water passbook. Understand the significance of water passbooks by all source user groups to plan for the crops.

At the same time building consensus around the NWSGP approach as a collaborative, scalable, and sustainable network model. The urge of documenting good practices, innovations, and traditional knowledge of partners has been felt and incorporating indigenous water management practices into planning. In order to sustain the Network need to integrate Water Passbooks with existing programmes and include seasonal planning and crop advisories. To expand the network, document innovations, publish learning, and encourage peer knowledge exchange and bring collective understanding of Network road map. Network Update Meeting

Natya Manch-The Community Theatre:

Natya Manch is a group of young people trying to promote a community-led theatre-based communication platform designed to drive behavioural change and grassroots awareness. The model uses local cultural expression as a structured tool to communicate key development themes in an engaging and relatable manner. With a trained rural theatre team, the initiative delivers doorstep awareness interventions across villages and panchayats, translating technical concepts into easily understood messages. Current performances focus on the plantation-Social Forestry and the Water Passbook, promoting sustainable natural resource management and responsible environmental practices.

The programme offers wide community outreach and participation, reaching thousands of households through live performances, while also building local capacity by positioning rural youth as communication leaders. Overall, Natya Manch provides a scalable, culturally rooted, and participatory communication approach that strengthens environmental awareness, collective learning, and sustainable behaviour at the grassroots level. During the reporting period the team has delivered an impressive 151 shows across 150 villages in Ganjam and Kandhamal districts, captivating audiences of approximately 6053 households. Their current community theatre highlights the significance of Social Forestry and adopting water passbook, inspiring communities to adopt sustainable practices and importance of water passbook. The team also performed in Odisha Vikas Conclave and Mohuda 50 during this time period. Gram Vikas Natya Manch

## Weather and Crop Advisory Technology

Smallholder agriculture in Gram Vikas operational areas is largely rainfed and highly exposed to short-term weather variability. To reduce climate risk, Gram Vikas is strengthening a hyper-local weather and crop advisory system under the Water Secure Gram Panchayat (WSGP) programme. The system integrates automated weather stations (AWS), data-based advisories, and community-level dissemination to support informed farm decisions.

The hyper-local weather and crop advisory system was substantially expanded during the reporting period. Five new Automated Weather Stations (AWS) were installed across five Field Coordination Office (FCO) locations, while seven existing Skymet stations were restored and made operational. An experimental virtual weather station initiative was also introduced in partnership with ExperiQS. The network currently comprises 25 active physical AWS stations and eight experimental virtual stations across Gram Vikas’ operational geographies.

Around 100–150 farmers per physical AWS location receive four agro-advisories each month, primarily through Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) and Source User Groups (SUGs), with approximately 50–75 farmers per location actively attempting to apply the advisories in farm-level decisions. The advisories are aligned with improved agricultural practices promoted by Gram Vikas and incorporate field-level information on crop conditions, soil moisture, irrigation status, and pest and disease incidence.

Dissemination follows a multi-channel approach combining habitation-level weather boards, advisory documents and voice messages shared through digital platforms, and dedicated farmer groups created by field teams. The next phase will explore AI/ML-based chatbot pilots and direct-to-farmer communication channels to improve the accessibility, interactivity, and timely use of advisories. For more information:Automatic Weather Station

## Comprehensive Source-Shed Development (CSSD):

The Comprehensive Source-Shed Development (CSSD) approach under the WSGP programme strengthens climate-resilient communities by securing water sources, restoring ecosystems, and diversifying livelihoods at the catchment level. By combining plantation, soil and moisture conservation, and land development through a ridge-to-valley strategy, the initiative enhances groundwater recharge, improves soil health, and increases tree cover—reducing vulnerability to droughts, erratic rainfall, and land degradation. The promotion of local nurseries and farmer collectives further builds adaptive capacity by generating green livelihoods and enabling community-led resource management. Grounded in Water Source Sustainability plans, CSSD creates an integrated system where ecological restoration and farm-based income opportunities reinforce each other, laying a strong foundation for long-term climate resilience and water security.

Implementation arrangements for CSSD were reorganised during the reporting period to strengthen coordination and clarify responsibilities across catchment and command areas. The approach is anchored in source-based user groups and Source-Shed Development Plans, integrating water-source sustainability, ecological restoration, productive livelihoods, and landscape-level climate resilience through a ridge-to-valley framework.

The Water Source Sustainability team leads catchment-area treatment, including soil and moisture conservation, forest-species plantation, and structural interventions, while the Livelihoods team leads command-area development through horticulture plantations, water-harvesting structures, and irrigation infrastructure. More than 300 acres are being treated through interventions such as Continuous Contour Trenches (CCT), Staggered Contour Trenches (SCT), stone bunds, gully plugs, field bunds, and water-harvesting structures. Renovation of ponds and check dams has also been undertaken to strengthen water availability and productive use in command areas.

Plantation activities have been initiated with the objective of covering approximately 1,500 acres during 2026 through social forestry and agroforestry interventions. These efforts contribute to ecological restoration, increased tree cover, improved soil and water conservation, diversified farm-based livelihoods, and carbon sequestration. Comprehensive Resource Development.

## All Living Things-Environment Film Festival (ALTEFF):

The collaboration between All Living Things – Environmental Film Festival (ALT-EFF) and Gram Vikas is based on a shared commitment to environmental awareness, climate action, and empowering communities.

The mission of ALT-EFF is to increase climate awareness at scale through the emotive power of cinema by curating impactful storytelling and experiential learning which closely aligns with Gram Vikas’s goals of raising environmental and climate awareness among communities, promoting biodiversity conservation, and encouraging sustainable practices. By using films as effective tools for learning and discussion, the partnership enables critical thinking on climate change and sustainability while making complex environmental issues accessible and relatable. This collaboration also inspires responsible environmental behaviour and local action, especially among young people and community stakeholders, strengthening collective efforts toward building environmentally conscious and resilient communities.

The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT‑EFF) 2025 was organised across multiple locations in Odisha with the objective of creating mass awareness on climate change, environmental protection, and the interdependence between humans, nature, and all living beings. Through carefully curated films, interactive discussions, and participatory learning activities, the festival reached students, community members, local leaders, and institutions.

Across Baliguda, Rourkela, and Rudhapadar, ALT‑EFF created inclusive learning spaces where cinema became a medium to spark dialogue on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and social justice. For more information: ALTEFF Consolidated Report

Implementation level activities
## Dissemination of stories

Regular updates on the project progress are done monthly. The stories and documents that we have shared on ‘All living Things Environmental Film Festival’ to broaden and deepen the engagement for climate conscious collaboration and networking among children, and youth in the villages. Climate Changemaker retreat at Coonoor Network for the WSGP meetings, launching events, Management Group structure workshop and clean Koinpur initiatives.

Beside these micro entrepreneurship,Internal Staff Capacity Building, Women SHG-Led Development of Community-Based Tourism in Daringbadi Block, Kandhamal District, Gram Swabhiman Approach, Drivers of Change etc stories have been updated in grove.

Staff Capacity Building: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i-cAjKH3JsVmLV1XJ_MvkiqMOhndFsYE88ogssIIx_I/edit?tab=t.0

Statistical Tool development

This work will be the result of the various planning and measurement activities currently ongoing. We will work towards understanding how the various data sources can be integrated to make a GP-level tool.

## Carbon Credit Programme Update:

The community carbon programme under Gram Vikas is being developed as a long-term mechanism to reward rural communities for tree-based land restoration while generating ecological, livelihood, and carbon benefits. During the reporting period, the Project Idea Note (PIN) was approved, the Project Design Document (PDD) reached its final review stage, public consultations were completed, and the project validation visit was successfully conducted. Follow-up actions are underway to address validator queries, finalize the PDD, and complete approval documentation. Field implementation also advanced significantly, with around 3,500 acres of plantations (2021–2025) surveyed, of which approximately 2,300 acres (about 25% of the proposed project area) have been approved by the project developer, including over 1,200 acres cleared through technical review. This process has refined eligibility criteria, improved plantation design, identified high-survival, high-carbon-potential areas, and initiated permanent plot marking for long-term carbon monitoring. Overall, the programme has progressed from system establishment to scaled implementation, strengthening landscape restoration, carbon sequestration measurement, and long-term climate resilience.

## WSGP Initial Mobilisation Process (Spearhead Team)

The Spearhead Team operationalises the Gram Swabhiman Approach by leading early-stage mobilisation in new WSGP areas and demonstrating participatory planning with village institutions. Organisationally, this functions as a structured field-immersion mechanism where cross-thematic teams, guided by the central unit, establish process standards, strengthen community engagement systems, and build institutional readiness for WSGP implementation. The rotational deployment model further institutionalises learning, ensuring staff internalise the Sense of the House and Gram Swabhiman principles, thereby embedding community-centred, process-driven practice within the organisation’s field operations. During the reporting period mobilisation in 56 villages were covered by the team which brings the total number to 356 villages. Spearhead Document.

## Technology and Research Engagements::

Continuing the partnerships with ACWADAM, WELL Labs, Indian Institute of Human Settlements (IIHS) and SEEDS Technical Services have been built for support on various aspects of the work of building knowledge development on Climate Resilience Communities. Additionally, Gram Vikas also initiated the proposal with WELL Labs to build better conceptual clarity around groundwater movements and how the work under WSGP has effects in a region beyond the boundaries of the gram panchayat. The basic idea is to develop greater understanding at a ‘bio-regional’ level. This is another component of the work that we have begun with Geeta Vaidyanathan and SEEDS.

The Climate Change Local Adaptation Pathways(CLAP) Year-2 project (led by IIHS with Gram Vikas and CMID) continued advancing climate migration adaptation work across Odisha and Kerala through research, community engagement, and service delivery. In Odisha, Gram Vikas nearly completed Work Packet 3 qualitative research across Surada, Daringbadi, and Rayagada through PRAs (5/6 GPs) and life-history interviews, contributed to data analysis, and co-led participatory foresight workshops in Mohuda and Kochi that mapped migration systems, identified key risks (debt pressure, unstable incomes, accidents, travel vulnerabilities, and climate-linked crop loss), and generated intervention pathways under a migration corridor approach.