Shifting Systems, Collectively

Collective action has been an integral part of Development Alternatives’ approach to creating impact at scale. Unique to most civil society organisations in India, we have, since the late 1980s, built programmes around three types of collaborative structures: community partnerships, business networks and policy alliances. In the last decade, the …

Addressing Land Degradation, Desertification and Drought to Tackle Climate Change

Land degradation in Bundelkhand Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) gained attention at the Rio conference in 1992 along with climate change and biodiversity loss.  Emerging from the concern that ecosystems were becoming degraded, affecting livelihoods, reducing resilience to climate shifts, actions for sustainable land management gained momentum. It is …

The Need for Novel Forms of Learning to Plan for Resilient Water Systems in Human Settlements1

Community in discussion The resilience of any social-ecological -technological system (SETS) in the Anthropocene is defined as the capability to navigate uncertainties and manage changes. At the same time, approaches to building resilience must also influence the direction of change towards greener, more inclusive, and just pathways of development to …

Do women have to be rockstars to be celebrated?

We are putting a lot of pressure on women to shine, but are we really giving them the space and system to build their own empowerment stories? In the 1990’s, there were many economists that were making the case for gender equality such as Amartya Sen who was famously quoted …

Radio Bundelkhand – Apna Radio Apni Baatein

Community feedback session with Radio Bundelkhand Community radio is an effective communication tool that helps in creating an impact on the community in terms of development. It broadcasts materials in the local language that are acceptable and relatable to the community members. Bundelkhand, a water-scarce region, has been utilising this …