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Sampark Samaj Sevi Sanstha, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1987 as a branch of SWRC, Tilonia, and formally registered in 1990 under the leadership of Mr. Nilesh Desai. It works to strengthen tribal livelihoods and combat poverty by empowering communities to fight inequity, injustice, and exploitation. We believe in the Gandhian philosophy that knowledge, skills, and wisdom found in villages should be used for their own development.
Local knowledge is the foundation of any sustainable development initiative. In tribal regions, where communities have lived in harmony with nature for centuries, traditional knowledge systems offer valuable insights into environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community-based governance. Sampark has actively promoted indigenous wisdom by integrating it into modern development practices. For instance, in agriculture, Sampark has encouraged the use of traditional seeds and organic farming techniques. Instead of relying on genetically modified seeds and chemical fertilizers, which deplete soil fertility, Sampark has trained farmers in natural farming methods. The organization’s “Beej Swaraj” (Seed Sovereignty) movement has helped farmers retain control over their agricultural practices, ensuring food security and economic stability.
One of the key challenges in tribal regions is the lack of livelihood opportunities. Sampark has addressed this issue by leveraging local resources to create sustainable employment. Through its “Goan Ka Pani Goan Mein” (Village Water for the Village) initiative, the organization has undertaken water conservation efforts, including constructing check dams, gully plugs, and field bunds. These measures have improved groundwater recharge, enabling year-round farming and livestock rearing. Additionally, Sampark has introduced animal husbandry programs that rely on indigenous breeds suited to the local climate. The Pashu Sakhi (Animal Health Worker) model has empowered tribal women to provide basic veterinary services, reducing livestock mortality rates and increasing household incomes. These initiatives not only enhance economic self-sufficiency but also reinforce traditional knowledge and ecological balance.
Culture is an integral part of tribal identity. However, with rapid modernization, many traditional practices are fading away. Sampark has actively worked to preserve and promote tribal customs, particularly those that foster communal harmony and self-reliance. One such revival effort is the Adji-Padji system, a traditional form of labor exchange where villagers help each other with agricultural tasks. This practice not only reduces dependency on external labor but also strengthens social bonds. Similarly, Sampark has encouraged the revival of the Chaupal Nyay system, where village elders resolve disputes amicably, minimizing legal expenses and fostering a sense of justice within the community.
Empowering local leadership is a cornerstone of sustainable development. Sampark follows the Gandhian principle of Gram Swaraj (village self-rule), promoting grassroots democracy and participatory decision-making. Village-level committees, self-help groups (SHGs), and farmers’ cooperatives have been established to give communities control over their development process.
Through leadership training programs, Sampark has enabled women and youth to take active roles in governance. Many elected representatives in local panchayats (village councils) have emerged from Sampark’s leadership initiatives, ensuring that policies and programs address the real needs of the people.
Education is the key to empowerment, but formal schooling alone is not enough. Sampark has implemented the Buniyadi Shiksha (Basic Education) model, inspired by Gandhi’s Nai Talim philosophy, which emphasizes practical learning alongside academic knowledge. In its
residential schools, children learn vocational skills such as candle-making, herbal medicine preparation, and organic farming. This approach not only makes them self-reliant but also preserves traditional craftsmanship and livelihoods. Moreover, Sampark’s non-formal education centers and night schools have helped working children continue their studies, ensuring that education remains accessible to all. The organization has also facilitated scholarships and school enrollment drives, significantly increasing literacy rates among tribal children, especially girls. To further this mission, Sampark has launched the Girls’ Education Promotion Programme , which focuses on enrolling and retaining girls in schools, providing mentorship, and addressing socio-economic barriers that hinder their education.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Sampark’s mission. The organization has undertaken extensive afforestation drives, promoting indigenous tree species that support biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. By adopting community-led water conservation techniques, it has improved agricultural productivity and reduced the impact of droughts. Sampark’s advocacy against genetically modified crops and commercial water privatization highlights its commitment to ecological justice. The organization has mobilized thousands of farmers to resist exploitative agribusiness practices, advocating for policies that protect farmers’ rights and environmental health.
Over the past 38 years, Sampark has transformed the lives of over 289000 tribal families across 3221 villages in Madhya Pradesh. By integrating local knowledge, resources, and leadership with Gandhian principles, it has created a self-sustaining model of rural development. The reduction in exploitative social practices, increased economic stability, and improved educational opportunities stand as a testament to the organization’s impact.
Sampark is working with the Vision to establish equitable, just, environmentally friendly atmosphere in the tribal community, so that the most vulnerable & marginalized community gets its due respect and dignified life.
Sampark started with the Mission of facilitating a process through which the disadvantaged and powerless would organize them for a just and sustainable social order so that they could be empowered to develop their quality of life,resources, culture and esteem through a participatory and non- violent method
At the heart of Sampark’s work lies a deep belief in Gram Swaraj—the Gandhian vision of village self-rule, where communities govern themselves with dignity, equity, and sustainability. Sampark holds that every rural person, regardless of gender or background, has the capacity to lead change when given the right support and platform. It believes in non-violent struggle (Satyagraha) as a moral force to question injustice, and in constructive action (Nirman) as a tool to rebuild and rejuvenate communities. Sampark is committed to gender equality, social inclusion, and participatory democracy, ensuring that development is not just for the people, but by the people.
Sampark adopts a community-driven, barefoot approach to development, emphasizing local leadership, grassroots participation, and self-reliant institutions. Rural communities, especially women, are mobilized into self-help groups (SHGs) and community-based organizations, which serve as platforms for collective decision-making and action.
The organization nurtures people’s institutions focused on:
Sampark promotes indigenous knowledge, encourages creative conflict resolution through the motto “Gaon ka Jhagda Gaon Mein” (resolve disputes within the village), and supports local economies through “Gaon ka Paisa Gaon Mein”. It integrates skill development and enterprise promotion into all initiatives, guided by the vision of inclusive and resilient village economies.
Sampark’s strategy is an evolving blend of struggle and construction:
The strategy begins with trust-building and awareness generation through street plays, dialogue, and local campaigns. Once a community is mobilized, self-help groups are formed, regular facilitation begins, and barefoot service providers are trained to anchor change locally.
These barefoot leaders include:
Supporting education
Livestock management
Water management
Seed conservation and promotion
Agricultural support
Community health facilitators
These grassroots actors lead the mission of:
Local water conservation and management
Seed Sovereignty and Indigenous Farming
Strengthening local economies
Resolving disputes within the community
Over time, Sampark withdraws from intensive facilitation, ensuring that people take full ownership of the institutions and systems created. In this way, Sampark’s strategy does not just deliver services—it builds self-sustaining, empowered, and vibrant rural communities.
Social service organizations like Sampark exemplify the transformative power of grassroots development. By blending local wisdom with Gandhian values, they create resilient, self-reliant communities capable of shaping their own destinies. In a world increasingly driven by globalization and industrialization, these models offer a sustainable, people-centered alternative that respects culture, nurtures the environment, and empowers the most marginalized sections of society. The success of Sampark serves as an inspiration for social service initiatives worldwide, reaffirming the timeless relevance of Gandhian thought in modern development.
Social service organizations like Sampark exemplify the transformative power of grassroots development. By blending local wisdom with Gandhian values, they create resilient, self-reliant communities capable of shaping their own destinies. In a world increasingly driven by globalization and industrialization, these models offer a sustainable, people-centered alternative that respects culture, nurtures the environment, and empowers the most marginalized sections of society. The success of Sampark serves as an inspiration for social service initiatives worldwide, reaffirming the timeless relevance of Gandhian thought in modern development.
Contribute to combat water scarcity, enhance agricultural productivity, and empower communities by improving water access, soil health, and local resource management for a sustainable future.
