Project Summary

Strengthening of People's Organizations (POs) in 7 talukas of Surat District through education, legal training, and logistical support.

Project Goal

To empower each tribal person individually, each village as a community, and thereby the tribal population as a whole, to unite themselves into an organization that may fight for the rights of one and all; make sure that government schemes reach the people for whom they are meant; and act as a pressure group when the legitimate interests of the tribal community are at stake.

Long Term Objective

Building the tribal population into a community joined together by a strong sense of cultural identity and mutual support, and acting as a pressure group when the legitimate interests of the tribal community are at stake.

Beneficiaries of the Project

The beneficiaries are the tribal people of the seven talukas of Surat District where LAHRC is working at present. The plan is to cover around 380 villages in the seven talukas. In these villages, People?s Organizations (POs) have been set up. These POs seek to strengthen tribal identity, unity, self-dignity and prosperity.

Tribals comprise about 15 percent of Gujarat's population, compared to a national average of approximately 8 percent, where they are concentrated in the eastern belt of the state. In the Surat district, the tribal population totals more than 1.2 million and constitutes 36 percent of the overall population. In the seven talukas of Surat (Nizar, Ucchal, Songadh, Vyara, Mandvi, Mangrol and Umadpada) where LAHRC operates, nearly 99 percent of the population is tribal.

The Role of the People's Organizations

The project proposal has 5 distinct aspects, as delineated in the funding request (see below).

Duration for which funds are requested

The long term project of working for tribal identity, unity, and prosperity entails a long process. But the present funding request is for the period of one year.

Other sources of funding (confirmed and anticipated), if any:

For this project, there is no other source of funding. For another year or so, LAHRC has funding from MISEREOR to run the regular programs.

Proposed means of continuing the project after current funding

LAHRC is in the process of building local funds for the POs with a view to creating self-sustainability. The seven POs have around Rs.12 lakhs as their reserve fund; the present expenses are met by the LAHRC. Efforts are on to increase the fund. As an example lately, they printed JAI ADIVASI calendars with legal information and various other useful information. This is one way of educating the tribals. The real cost of a calendar is Rs. 7; by selling it for Rs.10, a small profit is made, which goes to the reserve fund of the POs. 50,000 calendars have been printed so far.

Asha-Stanford has committed to fund a third of the budget request. We are actively engaged in seeking the remaining funds. Please write to the Stanford contact person if you are interested in this project!