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[Information on this page relates to
the first phase of the PACS
Programme, which ended in April
2008].
The
PACS Programme's strategies are derived
from its Aim.
The programme supports a network
of civil society organisations (CSOs)
working on projects aimed at
increasing the capacity of poor
people to demand and use
political, economic, social and
human rights, and services to
improve their lives.
The carefully selected CSOs,
including some large Indian and
international organisations,
usually work in partnership with
other organisations.
The PACS Programme is currently supporting over 150 CSOs, known as
programme partners. Including small and medium-sized organisations allied
to these CSOs, the PACS Programme network extends to around 562
non-governmental organisations.
All the programme
partners work within the scope of
clearly defined and rigorously
appraised project proposals. To
know more about partners and their
projects,
click here.
PACS Programme partners are
currently working in around 80 of
India’s poorest districts, to
ensure that the poor
●
can access entitlements through
advocacy
●
have opportunities to create and
generate sustainable livelihoods
●
do not suffer from a ‘poverty of
opportunities’ due to social
exclusion, disability, sex or age.
The most effective strategies to
do this include:
Strengthening Panchayati Raj:
The voice of the poor is best
expressed through Panchayati Raj
institutions. The poor need to be
made aware of their power to
exercise democratic control over
local representatives and public
services.
Empowering women:
PACS Programme partners are
encouraged to make women aware of
their rights and capacities,
particularly the importance of
their participation in local
governance, income-generation and
decision-making.
Reducing social exclusion:
PACS Programme partners work to
increase awareness of rights and
catalyse change in institutions
and policies to reduce
discrimination against tribals and
dalits, the landless, women,
children and minorities. Partners
encourage peaceful and cohesive
approaches to securing rights.
Advocating policy changes:
The absence of relevant and
effective government policies
compounds the problems of the
poor. In other instances, pro-poor
policies exist but are not
implemented. PACS Programme
managers and partners are working
on advocacy efforts for the
formulation and implementation of
policies in favour of the poor at
the state and national level.
Generating livelihood
opportunities:
For the poor to work towards the
long-term outcomes listed above,
it is essential that their
immediate, basic needs be met.
Therefore, PACS Programme partners
support the generation of
alternative and sustainable
livelihood initiatives through
individual effort or self-help
groups (SHGs). SHGs also provide a
platform for addressing other key
issues.
PACS Programme partners implement
these strategies in an integrated
manner through over 75 regular
activities broadly falling into
these categories:
●
Awareness generation through
meetings, rallies and camps
●Communication through media like
wall paintings, posters, puppet
shows and newsletters
●
Initiating and building the
capacity of community-based organisations through training
programmes, exposure visits and
promotion of income-generation
activities
●
Advocacy through public
hearings, media exposure and
protests
●
Strengthening linkages with
government departments and other
agencies
●
Monitoring and supporting
smaller CSOs involved in the
programme.
Within the framework of its broad
objectives, the programme has
created a space for CSOs to work
in a focussed manner on critical
areas like:
●
Land rights
●
Community based flood
preparedness
●
Child rights
●
Livelihood promotion for
disabled
●
Short and long-term drought management
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