HOW WE WORK

-:Our Working Model:-

Owing to the diverse needs of the communities we serve; we operate in two different models. One is ‘Build and Transfer’ (B&T) and another is ‘Build, Operate, and Transfer’ (BOT). Both models give us an advantage of scaling out and scaling up the solutions with the beneficiaries of these models, respectively.

Build and Transfer (B&T)

Mostly our environment conservation initiative, especially water conservation projects demand us to work in the ‘Build and Transfer’ model as part of its sustainability strategy. As MANUVIKASA’s role is critical and limited to addressing the bottleneck of the problem with developing rainwater harvesting structures of various forms and dimensions, and farmers are capable enough to leverage the water harvesting, the ‘Build and Transfer’ model is apt here. This gives us an advantage and opportunity to scale out the program as the problem is debatably universal and there is no dearth of thoughtful philanthropists and CSRs to address water and related problems.

Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT)

Mostly our livelihood initiative demands us to work under this model. Typically, as these programs are all about a mindset change, capacity building, and handholding the beneficiary until they are self-sustainable, MANUVIKASA’s presence and support are critical. Typically, such works demand us to be with a set of beneficiaries at least for 3 to 5 years to transform them to be self-sustainable. However, the advantage this model brings to us is the coverage of a large population which makes it worth the time and effort! Self-help groups getting federated under a Cooperative Society and being covered under livelihood training and financial inclusion; federating farmers of various interests into a Farmer Producer Company / Organization (FPC / FPO) as required are good examples of our efforts under the BOT model. Such programs require committed partnerships both from the philanthropist / grant-making agency and the communities we serve.

-:Governance and Partnerships:-

 

MANUVIKASA is governed by a board of trustees with the full-time involvement of the Managing Trustee. The organization is closely working with community institutions, especially producer organizations, and cooperatives. All the development activities are planned and driven by the community and major portions of the investment in the intervention will be made by the community and part of the expenses will be covered by donors. The cooperatives and FPOs are working with financial institutions, government, and donors and driving most of the activities prototyped and scaled by the organization. Half of the board members of the organization are the representatives of the cooperatives and FPO.
Several donors and advisors contributed their money to scale up the programs through technology, enhancing the capacity of staff and becoming a success in these initiatives. MANUVIKASA has been involving academic and research institutions for frequent impact study and quality assessment. Local digital and print media are involved in the publicity. Local community-based organizations and public representatives are involved in this process and sustainable income-generating activities are linked to this process.
With the support of donors like the UNDP SGP, Coca-Cola Foundation, APF, HDBFS, CMS, CAPCO, DF, EdelGive foundation, HDFC Parivartan, NABARD, Give India, YES foundation, and HSS foundation, they have initiated innovative developmental activities.

-: Environmental Impacts:-

 

MANUVIKASA'S initiative reduced the risk of drought and flood effects due to climate change in 02 major rivers: Varada and Gangavali riparian zones. Land degradation was reduced due to participatory conservation and protection involving the community and Panchayat Raj Department in 18000 Hectors of community forest land. Continues development of farm ponds and their maintenance improved agrobiodiversity and agroforestry among 3813 farmers’ land covering 4575 hectares of agriculture land. Lake rejuvenation and participatory management in post-rejuvenation conserved 206 large water bodies in 04 Districts of Karnataka. Around 1512 million liters of additional water-holding capacities have been increased in these lakes. A total of 13503 acres of farmland are beneficiated through irrigation and the possibilities of degradation and desertification are controlled. Their joint venture with HSS Germany for the revival of 03 rivers and Integrated Watershed Management in river watersheds and approach paper prepared helped the policymakers to design sustainable developmental programs in the ecosystem.
Their water conservation effort is directly affected by increased storage capacity and increased water availability for irrigation. Groundwater levels are increased, and women are easily getting water for domestic use, animal husbandry, and backyard gardens. Crop productivity is increased due to improved soil moisture and agro-biodiversity is also enhanced. Improved productivity of milk and fishery activities are accelerated and improved employment opportunities especially for women are possible. Energy-efficient stoves reduced around 16000Kg CO2 emissions every day. The water and climate study canter has been helping to understand and research climate-resilient agriculture.
The creation of wetlands and planting activities covering 45000 acres of community forest land drastically reduced human-wildlife conflict.

 

-: Sustainable Development Impacts :-

MANUVIKASA creating employment opportunities and improving sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship development, skill building, and sustainable agriculture to the 45000 rural poor women and small and marginal farmers. MANUVIKASA has created 3816 farm ponds which mostly women members are considered while selecting beneficiaries: helped them to double their agricultural income due to the possibility of getting multiple crops a year and the food security of the households increased. Lakes rejuvenation helped 11000 small and marginal farmers to get 40% additional food crops and additional income. Their efforts in harvesting 4524 million liters of rainwater every year supported bringing around 600 villages out of water scarcity. Employment opportunities are increased, and climate-resilient agriculture practices are possible. The riparian ecosystem interventions and watershed management activities are controlled by climate change adverse effects in 05 blocks of the northern part of Karnataka.

-:Scalability:-

MANUVIKASA's initiatives were restricted to 10 villages in one block in 2003 & now have scaled up to 1200 villages, 18 blocks of 05 Districts of Karnataka. Their interventions like lake rejuvenation, women empowerment, common land conservation and protection program are scaling very quickly. The initiatives started with 500 households and now have reached 45000 households.
After seeing innovative solutions to the burning problems of the rural community and the possibilities to scale their initiatives to the national level, more than 20 partners including donors have supported for scaling.

-:Replicability:-

Their initiatives solve common problems of most countries in the world- such as land degradation, water scarcity, loss of livelihood due to climate change and unemployment. Most of the existing players are providing short-term solutions to these problems like irrigation through tube wells, crop increment through chemical fertilizers, etc. Their initiatives are sustainable and replicable in the other part of the country. The surface water conservation, forest conservation, and common land conservation are prototyped and tested in different geography which is widely accepted by the community.

-:Resilience and Adaptability:-

The need-based cost-effective initiatives are accepted by the community in different parts of Karnataka and different ago climatic zones, including the Western Ghats, the coastal and plane land. The farm pond model is suitable for undulated land, and lakes are suitable for plane lands. Farmers and community members are sharing the cost through direct investments in farm ponds, lakes and energy-efficient stoves. It shows the adaptability of their initiative.
They are promoting farmer-producer companies for tribals, fisherfolk and farmers. These companies enhance the resilience of the community to learn and adopt new technology and market pressures and production challenges. Lakes are controlling climate change challenges and providing economic strength. They have organized 30000 women under Self Help Groups, and cooperatives and provided skill training, loans and income-generation options. These institutionalizations of women increased their resilience to social and economic challenges.

-:Reduced Inequalities and Social Inclusion:-

The primary beneficiary of the organization is rural women. In the lake rejuvenation process, women play a key role in decision-making for the distribution of silt among the farmers for agricultural fields. The organization also trains rural girl youths in different activities. Such as digital literacy; capacity building programs such as leadership skills, negotiation skills in marketing, loan process; making value-added products such as, peeling Areca nut, grading, and so on; tailoring, and other activities. To improve the livelihood of the tribal women, the organization has distributed Honey boxes for Bee Culture. In community forests, 50% of the tribal women are able to earn through NTFPs and are able to make decisions on Gram Panchayat matters. The fisherwomen in the coastal areas of Uttara Kannada, and Udupi, are vulnerable. To tackle this issue, the organization has strengthened fisherwomen by providing them with ice boxes and fish nets and dry fish Units. With this, the women can sell their fish without involving the middlemen with the market rate. The MANUVIKASA has also started women’s co-operatives where the women have shares in the cooperative and get loans, insurance, training, and marketing. Rural women can control the women’s cooperatives through their improved leadership skills. Widow women are supported through pension cards, job cards, and e-Shram cards. The cooperatives and training initiated by MANUVIKASA are able to make women financially independent.

-:Gender Equality:-

The group works to empower women and girls through its programmes. The education effort primarily aids youngsters who are financially disadvantaged or who are orphaned or partially orphaned. Children that are girls are the main beneficiaries. The girls have the opportunity to pursue higher education and find employment. Through promoting cooperatives, cooperative training programmes, and the provision of basic supplies, we can assist women in acquiring the skills they need to raise their level of living. The initiative of capacity-building programmes can help rural women in their ability to accept loans, be entrepreneurs, run for office in the local institution, and to hold organizations. Women who received energy-efficient stoves are able to spend less time getting firewood and more time on activities that generate cash.
As they establish cooperatives, the members support the cooperative by developing their leadership abilities through education or individually assigned responsibilities. They are able to bargain for their marketing products as well.
Both at home and in the cooperatives, they have the ability to make decisions. Their capacity for leadership grows. By using FPCs, other successful small enterprises, rented equipment, and selling their goods in the markets, rural women were able to achieve economic independence. When their income increased, so did their ability to repay their debts.