Empowering People in Karnataka to Access Public Schemes

1. 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

2. SCHEMES AND POPULATION 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 Campaign Key Sectors Education Health & Sanitation Livelihood Target Group: 1,50,000 community people from 100 villages of 5 targeted districts Reached in year 1: 45,000 community people from 100 villages

3. RESULTS • ER 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 staff • Impact : 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 University • Impact : • 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.

4. 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 level • Data: 100 villages and 1000 members • Impact: • 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 level • Data:Backward Regions Schemes Support Groups (BRSSG) were formed in 100 villages, 87 training programmes were conducted and 842 BRSSG members (420 men & 422 women) sensitized • Impact: • 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.

5. WP 1.4. Mass awareness programmes on RTI and schemes functioning • Participatory Mass Awareness events in the villages • Data: 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 schemes • Data: 20 programmes were organized where 3225 people participated • Impact: • 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

6. 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

7. CHALLENGES

8. 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

9. FINANCE AND CONTRACT

10. COLLABORATIONS • Current 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

11. Thank You