Registration Details

Economic Rural Development Society NGO Organization Members

Economic Rural Development Society Source Funds

Contact details

Economic Rural Development Society Key Issues and Operational Areas, Major Activiities & Achivements

Operational Districts: Dakshin Dinajpur, Maldah , South Twenty Four Parganas

Operational States: WEST BENGAL

AchieveMents: Achievement: This strong association between the functionaries of ERDS and the local youth club members was based on a common zeal and understanding to improve the quality of life in the villages. This association clicked so effectively every where that the local youth became the ‘Torch – bearer’ for the functionaries. In fact, most of the difficulties faced by the functionaries’ at the initial stages were sorted out with the help of local youth club members only. The most effective and meaningful role in involving the community in the process of bringing about improved quality of life was played by none other than the children of the project areas. ERDS, undoubtedly, has been able to attract the attention of all types of community leaders – the Panchayet members, traditional caste/community leaders, religious leaders, political leaders, school teachers, women groups, youth club etc. to the sponsorship program and its benefits. ……………As a sequel to the efforts made by one and all as stated above, there now exits a sense of togetherness among the villagers, their readiness to change and their conscious efforts to take up collective action on such issues which affect their lives. This has been the most crucial achievement of the sponsorship program as well as ERDS. There is no doubt that this is the beginning of the community empowerment process and the beginning has been well initiated. The rest is naturally assured. For ERDS, the concept of community participation is never a ‘borrowed’ or ‘imposed’ concept; rather it is ingrained in the organizational building process. The Chief Functionary who has established and nurtured ERDS as an organization for ‘working with the people’ has, because of his praise – worthy personal characteristics and tremendous leadership skills, emerged as a role model for voluntary workers. The forms and strategies of communication adopted by the functionaries in communicating with the people have proved to be very effective and meaningful in motivating the people. Judicious use of folk media such as plays, puppet-shows etc. has attractive the attention of the people in a very encouraging way. In addition, the personality traits showed by the functionaries such as simplicity, cordiality, personal touch, displaying respect and dignity to the people, taking people into confidence, listening to their problems etc. have played a crucial role in facilitating community participation. The mechanism for supervision as followed by ERDS disserves all praise as it is absolutely based on mutual trust and respect – not the one which is normally found in an organizational set up. ERDS Activities: Campaign Against Child Trafficking, Child Sponsorship Programme, Read To Lead Programme, Sanitary Mart, Sponsor a Grand parent Project, Jhilmil School, Educate A Child Programme, Creche & State Govt. Balwadi Centre, Specific Need Programme, Skill Development Training, Mainstreaming Street & Working Children, Publishing Alor Janya Patrika and Provide live stocks to poor families to boost up their meager income.