SPREAD's experience over the years has led to a strong belief in the importance of participatory development. In all programme areas, we identify opportunities for the beneficiaries themselves to be involved in the process.
"People's Organisations" represent a wide spectrum of groups -- from the women's self-help group in a single village to the 1,500-member regional group focussing on land rights (Dongar Adhikar Samiti).
Working with the people's organisations entails a variety of activities, including the following:
- Facilitation of some (not all) meetings at all levels (village to district level).
- Formation of women groups at village, panchayat and district level.
- Identification of individuals with leadership potential; invitation to join a group.
- Training of members on rights as well as organisational development.
- Planning of large meetings each year such as the tribal convention and the women federation meeting.
- Organising exposure visits for leaders and accompanying them to state and national level workshops and meetings.
