Project Title : Empowering People in five backward districts of Karnataka to access the public schemes

Project Period : Feb 2014-Jan 2018

Reporting Period : Feb 2014 – Jan 2015

Project Location : Bidar, Chitradurga, Davangere, Gulbarga and Raichur Districts of Karnataka

Project Partner : Rural Literacy and Health Programme-RLHP

Key Schemes•SSA – Sarva Siksha Abhiyan•ICDS – Integrated Child Development Scheme•MGNREG – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee•NRDWP – National Rural Drinking Water Programme•TSC – Total Sanitation CampaignKey Sectors •Education•Health & Sanitation•LivelihoodTarget Group: 1,50,000 community people from 100 villages of 5 targeted districtsReached in year 1: 45,000 community people from 100 villages

SCHEMES AND POPULATION

RESULTSER 1: Increased awareness among the target communities about the targeted health, education and livelihood schemes

WP 1.1. Analysis and training of project staff on targeted schemes: Data : Training programmes were organized for the staffImpact : The staff gained better understanding •about the Project and methodology to implement the activities•knowledge on various schemes•dynamics present among the local authorities and the ways to approach them•importance of documentation and appropriate Accounting System

WP 1.2. Base line survey, Final Client Satisfaction survey Data : Baseline Survey was done for 100 target villages in 5 Taluks of 5 Backward Districts of Karnataka with the Service Provider Gulbarga UniversityImpact : •a comprehensive understanding of the existing socio economic situation •facts in place regarding the centrally sponsored schemes•base document for assessing the entire action and its achievements •used as a tool for on-going monitoring.

WP 1.3. Revitalization of targeted schemes' civil society reference groups at village level & training on RTI & schemes functioning(i) Identification and sensitization of existing groups for targeted schemes at village levelData: 100 villages and 1000 membersImpact: •The identification was achieved through interviews with key informants and public meetings•This was followed by the conformation of the groups•Members were sensitized on the ideal criteria for selection, including: preparation, motivation and commitment towards their role and the project activities; considering vulnerability criteria especially backward castes and women; representation of the targeted sectors and schemes

(ii) Grouping and training of schemes support groups at village levelData: Backward Regions Schemes Support Groups (BRSSG) were formed in 100 villages, 87 training programmes were conducted and 842 BRSSG members (420 men & 422 women) sensitizedImpact: •BRSSG members became aware of their role and responsibilities in monitoring the implementation of public schemes in their respected villages. •Members supported the staff in organizing Mass Contact Programmes and Mass Awareness Programmes. •Members started to visit the Government offices for better understanding of the targeted schemes.

WP 1.4. Mass awareness programmes on RTI and schemes functioning

(i)Participatory Mass Awareness events in the villagesData: Street Theatre teams were formed and trained. 67 awareness programmes were organized and 5000 people made aware of Schemes.Impact:•Convergence of various government departments •Open platform for the community people and officials to interact •Officials provided spaces in their offices at Panchayat level •Govt. Officials started participating in the programmes organized at their Panchayats.•Officials agreed to be part of the Committees formed at Panchayat and Taluk levels•Community people became aware of the Public Schemes

(ii) Mass contact-public events with relevant authorities of targeted schemesData: 20 programmes were organized where 3225 people participatedImpact:•Opportunity for the Officials and Community people to interact in the same platform •Community members submitted memorandum regarding existing problems to the Govt. Officials •Support and collaboration received from Taluk Panchayats•Planning and preparation of the programmes were from Grass root level

ACHIEVEMENTS AT A GLANCE•330 People were made to apply for Job Cards out of which 100 People received the Cards through Mahathma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGMNREG)•3 People received old age pension through Indira Gandhi National Oldage Pension Scheme (IGNOPS)•Bus Service brought in 1 Village, Road was constructed in 3 Villages and Power connection was brought in 1 Village through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)•1 Differently abled person received pension under IGNOPS•8 Child labourers released and sent back to school and 48 Drop out students mainstreamed in schools under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Program•Guest teachers were appointed in 5 Government schools under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan •1 New Anganwadi was sanctioned for Schedule Caste colony, and Nutrition programme was made functional in 7 Anganwadis under Integrated Child Development Scheme under National Rural Drinking Water Mission•Water connection was brought in for 1 Anganwadi and 1 Toilet was constructed for an Anganwadi•1 Water tank was constructed for a village under National Rural Drinking Water Mission•80 individual toilets were constructed by households and 25 Individual Toilets were Sanctioned under Total Sanitation Campaign/Swach Bharath Abhiyan •1 Child marriage was stopped

CHALLENGES• Resistance from elected representatives of Gulbarga district

• Political intervention disturbed the mobilizing of community• The mention of Service provider’s name in the Proposal was a

disadvantage since at times when timely service/cooperation was not available from the selected service providers the activities delayed

• Male domination and Superstitious beliefs is a hindrance for Women participation in the community meetings

• Caste discrimination prevent people to come in a common platform/location

• People becoming violent with the officials to claim their rights during Mass Contact programmes

• Selection of new staffs delayed effective implementation of project activities

VISIBILITY•Display Panels with the logos are set up at the Partner Offices (at Head Office and the District Offices)

•Stickers with logos have been affixed on the Vehicles

•EU project target area maps with logos were printed and fixed at Cesvi and RLHP office

•Flex Banners were printed, Placards, Invitation, Badges were made with logos, Video Recording and Photo Printing done for the EU Project Inauguration program in Gulbarga.

•As part of Mass Awareness Programmes, banner was printed for the drawing competition; Banners, Posters and Handbills on the Total Sanitation Campaign Scheme with logos were done for the workshop on 'Clean Safe Secure Community' which were held in all the five districts.

•Documentary film on Public schemes and Acts

EC contribution: 7,22,182.00 74.45% EU share (%)

Start date 01-02-2014 Duration

End date 31-01-2018 48 months

Costs Contract Budget Actual expenditures Balance

All years end of Year 1

1. Human Resources 4,66,120 73334 3,92,7862. Travel 36,450 11163 25,2873. Equipment and supplies 1,44,291 52650 91,6414. Local office /Action costs 1,06,992 12805 94,1875. Other costs, services 1,41,770 8325 1,33,4456. Other 10,880 2508 8,3727. Subtotal direct costs of the Action (1-6) 9,06,503 160786 7,45,717

8. Contengency reserve 0 0

9. Total direct eligible costs 9,06,503 160786 7,45,717

10.Administrative costs (max 7%) 63,455 11255 52,200

0.0700

Total eligible costs 9,69,958 172041 7,97,917

FINANCE AND CONTRACT

COLLABORATIONSCurrent Collaboration with other Partners of EU•Participation in the State specific networks formed by EU where sharing of project experience happened among partners in Chennai•Sharing of information with DEF for website

What we can Offer to the other partners:•Strengthening of CBOs through Rights based approach•Sharing of Experience, Learnings, Contacts, Documentary film, Copies of IEC materials

Expectations from the other partners:•Technology support•Modules made/available by partners (like Operational Guidelines for Social Audit, Training modules for PRI and other members, DPO Building Guide etc.)•Sharing of Experience, Learnings, Contacts, Copies of IEC materials•Networking (Joint meetings/conferences/seminars)•Joint Advocacy & Lobbying for common policy level changes

Thank You