SAHAYI – Centre for Collective Learning and Action is a secular, Non Governmental, Voluntary Development Organisation registered under the Travancore-Cochin literary, scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act xii of 1955, in 1990 and has been functioning as a Regional Support Organisation. It started its development interventions initially in Kerala and extended its support to other South Indian states subsequently. Promotion of participatory approaches in training/learning, development interventions and help ensure stakeholder participation in governance and development, gender equity, promotion of good governance in LSGIs and NGOs and creation of conducive environment by policy advocacy are the central concerns of Sahayi.
The initial interventions of Sahayi focused on strengthening the voluntary sector in the state. In the context of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts and the enactment of the Kerala Panchayati Raj and Municipality Acts, from 1994 onwards Sahayi’s focus extended to embracing the entire field of participatory development and Local Self Governments and the civil society organisations. Promotion of Adult education for poverty reduction is one of the major interventions. Promotion of good governance in LSGIs starting from Pre-Election Voters Awareness Campaign (PEVAC) is the next important thrust area. Preparation for disaster mitigation among the tsunami affected community was another intervention area.
Management consultancy support for project identification, planning and preparation of project proposals, organising/facilitating participatory training, conducting action research, impact evaluations of projects/development interventions of non government organisations and Local Self Governments, promotion and strengthening of women development organisations, federations/ networks of CSOs etc., are other important areas of interventions.
Sahayi also developed and published a series of learning /training materials including audio/video CDs on various topics related to Local Self Governments and distributed among various stakeholder groups.
Area of Operation of LSGs : Through out the state of Kerala
Office Locations
Head Office : Peroorkada, Trivandrum District
Central Zone Office : Karunagapally, Kollam District
North Zone Office : Kanhangad, Kasaragod
Sahayi’s Major Partners at National and International Level for Strengthening Local Self Governance Institutions in Kerala
- Sahayi has a long standing partnership with Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), New Delhi, started in 1995 and undertook several phases of interventions for strengthening LSGIs in Kerala and promoted similar interventions in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.
- Ministry of Rural Development, GOI, was also a supporter through PRIA for organising Pre-Election Voters Awareness campaign and strengthening Gram/Ward Sabhas.
- German Adult Education Association (DVV International), Bonn, Germany provided support for PEVAC and leadership development of Women.
- Sri Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai provided support for strengthening women leadership in LSGIs.
- Commonwealth Foundation, U.K. supported for promoting good governance in LSGIs.
- Voluntary Action Network India (VANI), New Delhi provided support for promoting good governance.
Sahayi’s Major State Level Partners and Collaborators in LSGs Strengthening Activities
- Kerala Voluntary Agencies League (KAVAL) – A state level network of voluntary organisations in Kerala.
- Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF) – a network of 29 Diocese Social Service Societies in Kerala.
- Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) – An apex decision making body of the Latin Catholic community consists of 20 lakhs of people in Kerala.
- Sneha Federation for Women Development Organisations – A federation of the women organisations and SHGs in Kasaragod.
- Association of Women Members in Governance (AWAMIGA) – A state level organisation of the women elected representatives of LSGs in Kerala.
- Kudumbashree Mission, different districts in Kerala.
- Literacy Mission, different districts in Kerala.
- Nehru Yuvak Kendra, different districts in Kerala.
- Several other CSOs/VOs and CBOs in Kerala.
