CRUSADE

       (Centre for Rural Systems And Development)

Strengthening Local Self Governance

A meeting with panchayat presidents

CRUSADE operates both at Grassroots level and at state level for strengthening Panchayat Raj Institutions in Tamil Nadu. In Minjur and Sholavaram elected members are given training on their roles and responsibilities which will help discharge their functions effectively. In few Panchayats, Ward / Village level planning is done involving Women groups and elected members to assess the village needs and to plan for economic development & social justice. SHG members are motivated to attend Grama Sabha and to lobby for felt needs of the community.

 

 

NGO Alliance for strengthening local- governance














PRA workshop for micro level planning for the panchayat


In close association with DAC Trust, a network of NGOs in South Tamil Nadu, CRUSADE arranged training in local governance in Kerala Institute of Local Administration ( KILA ) for presidents and NGO staff in four batches. In all 64 presidents / vice presidents (including 16 women)and 34 NGO staff from 18 districts participated in this three day training which includes one day exposure visit to Kerala panchayats. The contents of the training include participatory planning, decentralized governance, development of marginalized communities, gender in governance, poverty reduction, etc.
CRUSADE organized a consultation meeting with participants from northern districts of Tamil Nadu at Chennai. It was decided in the meet that each participating NGO will share the training with elected Panchayat leaders in three blocks. DACT conducted a similar consultation meeting in Theni and subsequently some of the NGOs have been provided some funds to conduct training in their respective areas.
In order to complete the process of enlisting one NGO in each district and initially depute some elected leaders from the remaining 12 districts, the fifth and final batch training in KILA was organized in May 2008. NGOs from seven districts have responded positively.
The project seems to making significant impact on Government policies. The committee constituted by Government for devolving more powers to local bodies will be submitting its recommendations shortly.

 

State Level Conference of Elected Representatives

CRUSADE, in collaboration with Network Theni, organized a state level conference of elected Panchayat leaders on the theme "Planning for Economic Development and Social Justice". The two day conference organized at Chennai in March 2007 was attended by about 200 elected Panchayat leaders and NGO representatives. George Mathew, Institute of Social Studies, New Delhi delivered the key note address. Eminent speakers and representatives from Kerala, addressed the gathering(see news- Movement for Gram Panchayat Self – Governance (A federation of Gram Panchayat Presidents)).

 

 

 

Case Study:    Samanthi


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