Overview

Vision

SCINDeA envisions a society that is based on a just sustainable order; a society where all subaltern groups (Dalits, indigenous communities, quarry workers, slum dwellers, fisherfolk, unorganized sectors of women, youth & children) collectively participate in alternative socio-economic, cultural and political development programmes based on the principles of justice, equality, liberty & fraternity.

Mission

Build empowered and self reliant people’s movements of Dalits, fisherfolk, quarry workers, slum dwellers, tribals, women & youth in the South Central region of the country by enhancing the capacity of staff of the partner organizations of the SCINDeA Network and evolving sustainable development programmes focused on gender equity, human rights and environmental protection through people’s participation.

Strategies

  1. Identification of socio, economic, cultural & political issues affecting subaltern groups through their participation and promotion of People’s movements
  2. Enhancement of capacities and skills of staff of partner organizations of the SCINDeA Network in order to promote community health, natural resources management and environmental protection programmes
  3. Initiation of programmes that promote & protect the rights of women & children.
  4. Formulation of a gender policy at the Network level and developing programmes from a gender perspective
  5. Collaboration with likeminded NGOs, Networks and government departments on development programmes and lobbying on issues of common concern.

Objectives

  1. To capacitate partner organization of the SCINDeA Network in realizing the set programme objectives towards empowering communities socially, economically, culturally and politically in order to build strong people’s movements.
  2. To support and facilitate partner organizations in promoting alternative development initiatives
  3. To federate at the Network level people’s movements promoted by partner organizations.
  4. To Network with likeminded NGOs and other forums on issues of common concern through advocacy and lobbying To promote a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for a holistic and sustainable development
  5. To re-establish effective indigenous systems of health, agriculture, other forms of eco-technology and rural skills (ancient and modern), thereby promoting environment friendly occupations
  6. To initiate field level programmes to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka
  7. To initiate savings and credit facilities through appropriate savings schemes

Core Non Negotiable Values of the Network

  • Collective democratic participatory decision making
  • Gender sensitivity
  • Decentralization
  • People centered initiatives
  • Transparency & accountability
  • Mutual sharing
  • Solidarity
  • Respect for partner organizations in the Network

Target Groups

SCINDeA & partner organisations of the Network work with :

  • Dalits
  • Fisherfolk
  • Quarry workers
  • Slum dwellers
  • Adivasis
  • Small & marginalised farmers
  • Ex-miners

Unique Features of SCINDeA

  • Members of the Network have field experience of 21 years plus.
  • Corporate identity of the NGO in the Network is maintained while networking between the NGOs is strengthened.
  • Work among women, youth and children, quarry workers, tribals, dalits, fisherfolk and slum dwellers are some of the unique features of the Network.
  • One third of the member NGOs are headed by women.
  • SCINDeA is coordinated by the Secretariat with a full time Executive Director.
  • Planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation of the Network are done collectively ensuring transparency and accountability. The collective decision of the Network is final.
  • Member NGOs share a cordial relationship with one another and with the Secretariat.
  • Within the Network there is no hierarchy and all members are equal
  • Policy decisions are taken by the Executive Committee of the Network and ratified by the SCINDeA General Body Association
  • The Executive Committee takes all interim decisions such as making provisions for budgetary requirements that are required to ensure the smooth running of the Network
  • Deviation of programme implementation with adequate justification is placed before the Executive Committee for consideration via the Secretariat
  • At the Annual General Body meeting of SCINDeA narrative reports of the programmes of all NGOs along with their audited accounts and balance sheets are shared and discussed. A minimum of one beneficiary and two programme coordinators participate in the meeting.
  • Conflicts within the partner organisation or between the partner organisations of the Network are resolved by the Network itself.

SCINDeA’s current development interventions are focused on

  1. Poverty alleviation through social and economic assistance to poor households
  2. Community organization
  3. Community development which includes community health and water development
  4. Livelihood promotion through sustainable agriculture
  5. Child & adolescent development
  6. Livelihood promotion through sustainable agriculture
  7. Climate mitigation programmes

The programmes have been designed based on people’s needs. Various consultative meetings were conducted at different levels with the respective communities to evolve suitable programmes. The draft programme is then submitted to the Executive Committee of SCINDeA for approval and finalization.