About SAMAHITA

SAMAHITA is a collaborative initiative by EKTA, SADHANA, SMRC and Handicap International, supported by The European Union. This project is implemented across 6 districts of Odisha – Puri, Ganjam, Koraput, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj and Rayagada, over a span of 36 months. The project aims to empower 845 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to promote gender and disability-inclusive governance through enhanced participation in local development processes.

Key Objectives

  • Overall Objective: Empower CSOs to promote gender and disability-inclusive governance by involving marginalized groups in local development.
  • Specific Objectives: Strengthen CSOs representing scheduled tribes, women, youth, and persons with disabilities by enhancing their capacity and engagement.

Target Groups

  • Primary Target: 845 CSOs including organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), indigenous tribal communities, women-led self help groups (WSHG), youth, caregivers and fisherwomen.
  • Indirect Beneficiaries:
    • CSO members: 10,977 members
    • Family members of CSOs: 40,000 individuals
    • General population: 4,50,000 people across 6 districts

Expected Outcomes

Outcome 1: Enhance capacity and engagement of CSOs representing scheduled tribes, youth, women and persons with disabilities to promote intersectional inclusion in local governance in 6 districts (Koraput, Rayagada, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Ganjam & Gajapati) of Odisha through increased knowledge, networking and evidence-based action for changes.

Activities

  • Capacity Building: Training and development of CSO members.
  • Partnerships: Fostering partnerships between CSOs and government actors.
  • Action for Change Dialogues: Promoting inclusive policy through various dialogues.
  • Digital Support: Strengthening the digital capacity of CSOs for enhanced access to services.

Expected Impact

SAMAHITA is designed to strengthen the participation of marginalized groups, including Scheduled Tribes, women, youth, and persons with disabilities, ensuring their involvement in local governance and development.

Key Activities Performed

  1. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC): Formed to provide technical support and contribute to inclusive policy development.
  2. Making It Work (MIW) Methodology: Placing the persons of concern at the centre, using various tools to gather and promote good practices as evidence  to further strengthen advocacy among other action for change.
  3. Developing a pool of Master Trainers: 32 Master Trainers trained to deliver key content and skills.
  4. Capacity Building Programmes: The project team have been trained on documentation, intersectional inclusion, climate-resilient livelihoods and inclusive governance.
  5. Celebration of Important Days: International Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Youth Day, International Women’s Day and the 16 Days Campaign against Gender-Based Violence.
  6. Documentation of Good Practices: Evidence based documentation of good practices is under process in the way of identifying, validating and documenting 35 practices on intersectional inclusion.
  7. Training Modules Development: A total of 28 training modules developed.
  8. Community Engagement: CSO members actively participating in Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha meetings, contributing to local development processes and ensuring gender and disability inclusive governance.
  9. Federation Development: Plans are in progress to develop district-level federations. SAMAHITA supports the formation of six district – level CSO federation and two state – level umbrella coordination mechanisms to advocate for intersectional inclusion and effective diversity in local governance and planning.