Report

Low Carbon Pathways Sustainable Civil Society Initiatives Embassy of Switzerland in India Overview OverviewOverview

Low Carbon Pathways Sustainable Civil Society Initiatives Overview Abbreviations BKP Bundelkhand Knowledge Platform BMTPC Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council CDM Clean Development Mechanism CERs Carbon Emission Reductions CIGs Common Interest Groups CRIDA Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture CSOs Civil Society Organisations DRDA District Rural Development Agency DST Department of Science and Technology FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation IARI Indian Agricultural Research Institute IAY Indira Awaas Yojana ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics IGFRI Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute IIVR Indian Institute of Vegetable Research KVKs Krishi Vigyan Kendras MEAL Monitoring, Evaluation, Action and Learning MoEF Ministry of Environment and Forests NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NAPCC National Action Plan for Climate Change NIRD National Institute of Rural Development Publication Details: NRCAF National Research Centre for Agro-Forestry PoADD Programme of Activities Design Document Published by PoP Package of Practices Development Alternatives PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal B-32 TARA Crescent, PRI Panchayati Raj Institutions Qutub Institutional Area, RCC Reinforced Cement Concrete New Delhi 110016 SCSI Sustainable Civil Society Initiative to Address Global Environmental Challenges Phone +91 11 2613 4103, 2696 0380 SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Fax +91 11 2613 0817 SORs Schedule of Rates www.devalt.org SSMM Sankalp Swashakti Mahila Mandal TKM TARA Karigar Mandal Cover Illustration TNA Training Needs Assessment Mohan Sharma and Shreya UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change USP Unique Selling Proposition Developed and Printed by IRIS Publication Pvt. Ltd. VERs Voluntary Emission Reductions 111/9, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, VLC Village Level Community Kishan Garh, New Delhi-110 070 WEC Women Energy Cluster www.geographyandyou.com WUA Water Users Association

O v September 2011 e r v i e 2 w Overview

Contents Prelude ...... 5

Introduction ...... 9

The Initiative ...... 10

Process and Pathways ...... 12 Knowledge Dialogue Capacity Building The Green Enterprise Model

Outcome ...... 18 Influencing Behaviour Change

Emerging Lessons ...... 21 Scaling up the Initiative

Challenges ...... 26 Bundelkhand and Surrounding Regions

Fig. 1: Bundelkhand and the Project Area

Climate Change Vulnerability Lowest Double Exposed Low State boundaries Medium Urban Districts High Missing data Highest

Jhansi

Tikamgarh

Source: IPCC 2007 Map not to scale

● Farmer have adopted and demonstrated sustainable agricultural practices. ● Women ensured livelihood security through access to renewable energy services. ● Artisans are profitably engaged in delivery and promotion of eco-building products and services

O v e r v i e 4 w Overview

Prelude In a region marked with recurrent droughts, crop to benefits of enhanced incomes and reduced failures and increasing uncertainties of life-giving green house gas emissions. monsoons, small groups of farmers, women and The formative meetings with Civil artisans are making changes in their livelihood Society Organisations (CSOs) from the region practices to adapt to the climate variability that revealed the need for sharing knowledge not only reduce their vulnerability, but also and collaborative action towards improved Development processes in the ensure a low carbon growth to development. agriculture and livestock to reduce livelihood Bundelkhand region require communities to adapt to changes The Sustainable Civil Society Initiative to vulnerability in the region. The Bundelkhand in the climatic regime and Address Global Environmental Challenges (SCSI) Knowledge Platform (BKP - www.bkpindia.net) promote economic growth; social has made an attempt to influence vulnerable has been initiated to facilitate engagement with and institutional strengthening communities, local administration and stakeholders for effective participation in actions to enhance community resilience. facilitating agencies in the public sector towards related to drought alleviation in the region and The challenge is to direct this development to enhance the adaptive capacities with the state and national partners for dialogue growth on a low carbon pathway for a sustainable future. of the communities of Bundelkhand in the on climate change mitigation and adaptation. face of adverse environmental conditions. The The Initiative worked with farmers, women initiative is designed as a part of Development and building artisans. Outcomes of the Alternatives’s Shubh Kal Campaign1 wherein endeavour (2008 - 2011) point to possibilities the organisation has set about understanding that can be achieved with concerted efforts: climate vulnerability as well as identifying ● In the past 3 years, over 285 small and marginal development gaps and designing and testing farmers shifted to improved practices of institutional, technological, social and market agriculture such as resilient and improved based mechanisms towards this goal. seed varieties, line sowing, reduced tillage, The Swiss Agency for Development and drip irrigation and sprinkler systems that Cooperation (SDC)/Climate Change and have resulted in savings in irrigation and also Development Division, Embassy of Switzerland prevented loss of seed and crop when the rains in India has supported Development Alternatives have been delayed, as in 2009. An increase in in this endeavour. The Initiative has promoted productivity by 30 per cent has been marked efficient resource use and enhanced incomes for with a reduction in input costs. The practices small and marginal farmers, women’s collectives of reduced irrigation, reduced tillage and agro- and building artisans by a synergy of indigenous forestry etc. have led to a calculated savings in and scientific knowledge. The process has carbon emission by 25 per cent per hectare in also involved packaging of technology based one year. Members of the Harit Kisan Mandal measures into market-based viable economic are sharing an equipment bank for small tools, models for the target communities, financial as also knowledge on improved practices investments and business initiatives leading and have won prizes for quality of produce in regional crop day events. Access to information owners of the Sri Ram Raja Gaushala have in and an appreciation of improved techniques of the past 3 years set up a small biogas based irrigation and agriculture-horticulture practices energy unit to provide energy for running has enabled over 600 farmers to access up to small livelihoods enterprises. They have been Rs. 44 lakhs from existing government schemes. struggling with getting the right technology, This is a significant jump in terms of access to organising themselves for collective marketing, public support available and indicates a clear understanding the financial viability of small intent amongst farmers to change practices that businesses that would give them an alternative enhance their resilience to climate variability. income to support them in times of monsoon ● The 40 members of the Sankalp Swashakti crises. They have experienced an increase in their Mahila Mandal – Women’s SHG federation, annual incomes and an enhanced confidence

Sidhh Baba Farmers Club: spirit of competitiveness. Sidhh Baba Farmers Club ry

A new force: As part of the Behta is among the very few showed significant increases to S Farmers Adaptation Cluster villages where farmers have in profits. Under FAC, farm (FAC) Project village level started using the sprinkler for equipment was procured and ccess institutions were formulated to irrigation. provided to the Club for renting Su take forward the interventions During the first Rabi to other farmer members. being carried out in the villages. season of the FAC Project, Farmers thus gained exposure Farmers groups were thus the Sidhh Baba Farmers to the reaper and soon the initiated with a membership Club decided to try the new Club procured a reaper from of 5 to 6 active farmers. One practices with the seeds their own savings. The Sidhh such club named Sidhh Baba procured from the market. Baba Farmers Club also started Farmers Club, Behta, under The result was enhanced renting out the reaper to non the active leadership of Tara wheat yield of approximately club members to recover its Singh reached unprecedented 20 per cent compared to the cost. Two farmers from the heights. Tara Singh willingly nearby fields. This propelled Club were taken to Jaipur The farming community, accepted new technologies further enthusiasm and higher (Rajasthan) to understand the amongst the most impacted by for farming that were participation levels. During mobile gasifier technology the changing climate requires promoted under the Project. Kharif, identified interventions and are now keen to test the new techniques and risk He in fact set up test fields to were introduced for groundnut technology as an enterprise. mitigation measures that not compare the effect of different along with new variety of The Sidhh Baba Kisan Club is only reduce their vulnerability practices. This experimental seeds, seed treatment and taking initiatives not only for its but also contribute to reducing component exerted a strong sowing on raised bed. Despite own benefit but also to spread carbon foot-prints – a true green influence among the fellow the increased cost of bed awareness through physical revolution – or harit kranti in farmers and encouraged a preparation, farmers of the outreach. agriculture. O v e r v i e 6 w Overview

that has now enabled them to take charge of of 436 tCO2 equivalent, based on 80 per cent 5 service units providing value added services capacity utilisation and total load uptake. to local villages – the ground nut decorticator, ● The apex rural finance institution - National the oil expeller, the spice/flour mill, the milk Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development chiller and the fodder production unit. The (NABARD) and the Tikamgarh District bio-energy unit based livelihood enterprises Administration have shown interest and at the Gaushala has indicated a carbon saving acknowledged the need to promote and potential from methane capture. Methane finance green energy based enterprises at a capture in the biogas plant has an estimated district level multi-stakeholder workshop for annual green house gas emission reduction NGOs, bankers and government officials. Active participants from the SSMM have developed an understanding as to how they could covert the Gaushala

ry Ordinary to extraordinary: women from 12 below poverty per month. The women told from a cost-centric charity to Meera does it: Meera Ahirwar, line ( BPL) families came us that apart from the salary, venture to a profit-centric S a 40 year old Dalit woman is together and formed the they also receive an extra Rs enterprise, owned and a resident of Gurjara Khurd, SHG – and Meera was elected 500 as well as the day’s meal managed by the group. Value ccess one of the project villages the leader. She then accessed (worth Rs 30). Thus, women addition to local resources has Su been a starting point. in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh. various trainings and outgrew belonging to a poor community She was illiterate and worked her shyness. who earlier used to earn as a labourer, earning about A Women Energy Cluster Rs 600 are now able to earn Rs 600 per month. Poor and (WEC) was established in Rs 1500 as well as benefits uneducated, she was never a the village and as a part worth Rs 900. There were also part of any decision making of activities literacy was some unexpected benefits. The process. Her life changed when imparted under the TARAkshar women are not considered as SCSI chose Gurjara Khurd programme. Meera was a untouchables anymore. Today, under its rural development member of an educational Meera is not only an important programme and a self help tour to the volunteer centre in member in her own family; she group (SHG) was established Ahmedabad. Here Meera was is contacted for matters that in the village. As a part of inspired to engage in gainful concern the community as a consultative and participatory employment. Today, under whole. Meera Ahirwar’s story processes, the problems Meera’s leadership, the group tells us how proper guidance faced by the community were provides meals for mid-day and a will to improve one’s life discussed. Lack of employment, schemes for two Anganwadis can make a difference. She is an illiteracy and ignorance and and several schools. According inspiration to countless other inability to arrive at decisions to Meera, being a part of this women to emulate and come were identified as the core scheme has helped 8 other forward to make their mark in problems. Subsequently, women to earn over Rs 1000 society. ● 130 building artisans under the banner of CO2 in a period of one year is calculated by TARA Karigar Mandal (TKM) have constructed the switch in technology promoted by the 1695 sq.m of green, low carbon, resource work of these eco-artisans. Considering that efficient buildings in a span of 2 years, adding the building sector contributes significantly to 8500 days to their income portfolio of green carbon emissions through the application of jobs. The ‘green’ buildings so created have energy intensive construction techniques and saved critical resources of soils in brickwork has a sizeable impact on local resources, the and water, efficiently used energy intensive work of TKM clearly indicates that the desired materials like steel and cement, contributed growth in the habitat and rural infrastructure to local jobs and local economy and have sector in the region can be sustained and provided affordable housing options for the its environmental impacts reduced through poor in the region. A saving of 115 tons of ecological practices.

ry Tara Karigar Mandal and work as a result his finances TKM. The techniques primarily

to Vijay’s Meteoric rise: Vijay and his position in society outlined during the training S Kumar Kushwaha, a mason were both enhanced. Before were how to measure the area from Gundrai, Orchha, becoming a member of TKM, and perimeter of a building; ccess Tikamgarh, used to offer his Vijay’s financial condition was how to run a quality check Su masonry services to plaster such that he could not fulfil the on the materials used for walls. A few years later, Vijay needs of his family, with about buildings; how to make a rough sought the membership of TKM Rs.100 per day as his wages. But estimate of all costs before the where he gained now, he is earning Rs. 300-350 commencement of work; how dexterity and a great deal of per day. Vijay was also a part to create various designs on experience to master new age of some of the other projects paper prior to construction; skills. He soon established handled by Development how to make a rough and a an impressive reputation Alternatives Group at Karaikal, working models of blueprints; for his expertise in making Datia; Rudrani Farm, Orchha; how to make a layout of the Artisans as primary delivery eco-friendly buildings and Maya School, Orchha and BHEL building; and, how to build agents of habitat in rural was commissioned for various Jhansi. Vijay’s meteoric rise TKM’s special eco-friendly rat- areas play an important projects. Over the years Vijay as a building artisan inspired trap walling. Today Vijay lives a role in influencing building began earning more and other unskilled masons from better life and his children go practices. They also stand began to take on contractual nearby villages to join the to school regularly. to gain if eco-construction is cost effective and high quality as this enhances their market value

improving livelihoods. O v e r v i e 8 w Overview

Introduction Bundelkhand in Central India comprising was down by around 30 per cent.2 More than of 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 6 districts 20,00,000 livestock were abandoned and around of Madhya Pradesh is a region marked with 40 per cent of the region’s population migrated recurrent droughts, crop failures and increasing out – almost double of what it was in 2003. The uncertainties of life-giving monsoon. It is one of situation is likely to further worsen in the future the most backward regions in India and ranks with climate forecasts for the region indicating very low on almost all development indicators. a decrease in monsoon precipitation by Agriculture forms the backbone of the rural almost 15 per cent and a rise in mean summer economy in the region with almost 75 per cent of temperatures by about 1.5oC by the year 2030.3 the people dependent on agriculture and animal Communities that are highly vulnerable to husbandry for their livelihoods. Most agriculture climate related stress need external assistance is at the subsistence level, flanking the two to come out of this ecological quagmire. While seasons of Kharif and Rabi. A large livestock regeneration of the natural resource base needs population with low productivity and poor immediate attention, communities will need infrastructure of energy and connectivity lead to adapt to the inevitable changes in monsoon The regional situation and need to low industrial development and inadequate patterns and temperature regimes that will for reducing the vulnerability of rural communities in livelihood options in the tertiary sector. Coupled affect agriculture, fodder and livelihoods. Clearly Bundelkhand require improved with rapid degradation of soil cover with the ability of communities to address global water management practices in reduced forest cover and a breakdown in the environmental challenges, while moving up agriculture and fodder support management of surface water systems, practised the development ladder will depend on rapid for livestock. In addition, over generations, have added to the loss in land improvements in the various aspects of social development imperatives will productivity, increased environmental stress and capital among rural communities; availability require that energy intensive sectors such as construction be mass outward migration. and ready access to technological and financial directed towards energy and The region is semi arid with erratic rainfall. solutions for both adaptation and mitigation and resource efficiencies. Although it receives nearly 800 mm of rainfall, a policy environment that responds to people’s climate change is already impacting its regularity. needs and supports sustainable initiatives/ Rainfall in the Bundelkhand region between models. The need for this has been well spelt 2004 and 2008 has been deficit to an extent of out in India’s initial National Communication to 66 per cent. Historically, Bundelkhand region the United Nations Framework Convention on used to have sporadic droughts which have now Climate Change (UNFCCC) and India’s National increased by 3 times during the period 1968 to Action Plan for Climate Change. It is also reflected 1992. The period from 2005 to 2011 was marked in the State Action Plans for Climate Change by probably the longest drought spell in living under development and the special financial memory. The region could not cultivate about package designed by the Central Government for 40 per cent of its fields; food grain production drought mitigation in the Bundelkhand region. The Initiative Development imperatives in the region are likely on the other. The information thus gathered to support the prominent economic sectors revealed that communities have very low risk such as agriculture, livestock and infrastructure awareness related to climate change, water development, particularly activities related to and agriculture – other immediate problems construction. These are energy and carbon overshadowing the concern - scepticism intensive. abounds regarding any assistance from external The Development Alternatives team, with quarters and people are not used to experimental its focus on the development and growth of the alternatives for livelihood options. It was clear Bundelkhand region has set itself a mandate that the interventions had to be comprehensive to work with local stakeholders and design and livelihood oriented. strategies for ‘low carbon climate resilient In the initial 3 years, the SCSI initiative growth’ for Bundelkhand. directed its energies to developing climate The SCSI is a 15 year long intervention that change adaptation models for farmers, women addresses the vulnerability of rural communities and building artisans on a pilot basis identifying engaged in the 3 primary economic sectors mechanisms that may be required to scale of farming, livestock management and up the successes. The sites of intervention infrastructure development. These sectors are Tikamgarh and Jhansi districts of Madhya have been identified as those impacted most Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh respectively (Fig.1). due to the changes in climatic regime and The specific objectives in this period were: environmental degradation and those that ● enabling farmers to adapt to drought have the maximum potential in the region to conditions through use of sustainable contribute to its development and demonstrate agricultural practices with a focus on efficient reduced carbon footprints in the process. use of water and energy; An initial exercise to look at the social ● empowering women with increased stake in vulnerability in the district was undertaken by natural resource management adding to their using various participatory rural appraisal (PRA) status as gainful contributors to the family The initiative defined a flexible strategy based on knowledge techniques including questionnaire surveys income and thus also improving their relative dialogue, capacity building and (240 households in 12 villages), semi-structured position in the society as a whole; support to develop community interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), ● enabling group of artisans to realise enhanced based social enterprise models. preference ranking and participant observations job opportunities and profitably engaging in Emerging lessons and concerns etc. Issues that were covered ranged from delivery of eco-building services; and, were communicated to policy causes, perception, factors and extent of ● facilitating agencies at the local, state and makers and facilitating agencies to both support the new vulnerability as well as probable sources of and national levels take cognizance of knowledge economic models as well as to strategies to reduce vulnerability on one hand to outputs and initiate action to amend policy

inform policy development. crisis behaviour and external assistance received instruments. O v e r v i e 10 w Overview

The Project has worked with 100 farmers water management, biogas units demonstrated and through them reached out to nearly 300; in villages and agriculture-horticulture it has worked closely with 40 women from a interventions in fields etc. The research and 320 strong women’s federation, engaged in extension units from the Indian Grasslands the management of livestock to address bio- and Fodder Research Institute4 (IGFRI), National energy based alternate livelihood options and Research Centre for Agro Forestry (NRCAF), Krishi with 130 building artisans who have created Vigyan Kendras5 (KVKs) and MARTrural6, etc. minor, but significant ripples in the way the have worked with the communities to develop Madhya Pradesh Awaas Yojana now looks at the new training modules and capacity building construction of rural habitat and infrastructure. initiatives. Collective action by the target groups Engagement with Panchayats of selected 50 has been organised under formal community villages and district governments, NABARD and institutions and institutional models have banking community of Jhansi and Tikamgarh emerged that may be replicated to disseminate have led to facilitation of loans for eco-housing, the sustainable practices at a large scale. The funds for efficient irrigation systems, links Initiative has also identified support services with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural that may be required to replicate the successful Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for lessons across the region.

Local media, simplified messages and solutions packaged with risk communication have been a hallmark of reaching out to the target communities. Process and Pathways The project has adopted a 3 pronged strategy: for policy influence; and, a) knowledge dialogue to facilitate change in ● policy advocacy for replication. practice and to influence policy; 2. Capacity building of the target clusters and b) intensive training and capacity building; and, of the local institutions c) development of sustainable community ● technical training and supports; based social enterprise models. ● community institution development; and, The Project implementation involved systematic ● exposure visits and visioning a greener less steps, across all 3 clusters, according to the capacity vulnerable future. and the readiness of the communities in each. 3. Development of ‘green’ economic enterprise Nine process steps critical to implementation of models the Project at the grassroots and for connecting to ● Business and enterprise packaging; policy processes were identified (Fig.2). These are: ● Market testing and promotion; and, 1. Knowledge exchange and policy advocacy ● Networking and leveraging supports. for promoting ‘low-carbon economic growth’ The Initiative followed a flexible course, ● knowledge dialogue for technology and guided by the log-frame and objectives. market selection; Following a baseline survey and training need ● knowledge consolidation and communication assessments, FGDs, knowledge dialogue, group

Fig. 2: Process Diagram of the 3 Project Strategies A. Multi-Stakeholder Knowledge and Policy Networks

Trans-sectoral dialogue for policy influence Grassroots knowledge dialogue Policy studies, roundtables

Identification of Identification of Lok-Awaas Policy Influencing Capacity building gaps good practices Yatra resulting note on and bringing in policy sustainable in facilitatory Developing capacity Communication instruments water and supports for the Grassroots dialogue was guided building modules of climate at local level energy use Project from by a process where target change impacts in Rural Panchayats, areas district groups, local administration authorities, and technical support agencies B. Capacity Building Exposure to good practice local and state have sat together to assess level financial Structured Know-how C. Packaging Green Enterprise Models institutions issues of concern, travelled transfer Designing together to seek solutions and Connecting target groups Pilot implementation selected appropriate options for to credible information Assessment packaging.  O sources Feedback to policy influence v e r v i e 12 w Overview

management, exposure visits, technical trainings linkages between them that influence their and practical demonstrations were organised. actions and livelihoods, appropriate technology selection for climate resilient low carbon growth, Knowledge Dialogue schemes and programmes to be leveraged and The knowledge dialogue process was the bed market processes to be influenced. Priorities rock of the Project. Its objectives were two-fold could be identified i.e., reaching out to district - systematised knowledge exchange amongst government officials for market development for farmers, women’s groups and building artisans building artisans associated with TKM, focusing at grassroots level and trans-sectoral dialogue to on a smaller group of farmers for demonstrating improve practices; and the development of policy sustainable agriculture practices through the instruments that facilitate ecological practices FAC and identifying enterprises as well as literacy and livelihood creation and government position and group development exercises for the target on imperatives for policy change in the area of women of the Sankalp Swashakti Mahila Mandal sustainable water-energy use. (SSMM) at the Sri Ram Raja Gaushala – the WEC. The operational strategies adopted for know- The project team conducted knowledge ledge dialogue are as follows: mapping exercises with the respective target ● facilitating guided knowledge exchanges clusters. This was used by the project teams to amongst various stakeholders; develop a comprehensive understanding about Discussions on solutions have been subject to critical ● facilitating wider discussions and debates at their target groups and served as a ‘compendium analysis and assessment by the district and block levels across stakeholders for understanding of issues, stakeholders, community groups and selection engaged in ‘planning and implementation’ of relationships, power dynamics, markets and has been based on clear criteria interventions and getting on board strategic influencers of the universe of each of the cluster’. of short and long term economic actors at various levels for influencing the A broad action plan for the knowledge dialogue returns as well as long term policy instruments; was defined which included sensitisation of environmental sustainability. ● documenting outcomes of grassroots the project team to communicate with the exchanges/stakeholder discussions and disse- stakeholders and a process design to develop mination to wider audience, particularly policy specific target group and stakeholder discussions makers at the state and the national levels; integrated with activities of capacity building ● using the discussion forum ‘Lok Awaas Yatra’ to and green social enterprises. This included: strengthen policy influence at the Project level. ● knowledge exchange – Amongst the 3 target At the grassroots, the knowledge dialogue groups (within each and across) through FGDs led to an enhanced understanding of the involving target groups plus key stakeholders livelihoods and changing climate concerns of the ● knowledge building – leading to tangible target groups. It further provided comprehensive outputs such as documents, manuals etc. viewpoints of various stakeholders and the inter- ● knowledge communication – Messages for the target groups and the larger community. strategy to reach out to the primary and The sensitisation and continued dialogue also facilitating stakeholders. The tools and techniques reduced the tendency to ‘provide’ solutions to the of dialogue, in the form of messages, on the respective target groups rather than seek solutions community radio, audio-visual products and from within to bridge the gaps. In terms of being web-based portals, newsletters, and traditional able to provide ‘new information’, the project means such as folk performances (nautanki), teams could tap knowledge from academic, according to the appropriateness of interventions, commercial and government knowledge sources. in each cluster were developed. Formal commu- Although the Initiative adopted a flexible nication to district and state actors was through framework, regular monthly and quarterly presentations at various workshops and forums. monitoring through a Monitoring, Evaluation, Action and Learning (MEAL) format, tracking Networking and Policy Advocacy and mid-course evaluation ensured that As the connect between dialogue and action robust systems were set up. An in-built process with the community groups started developing evaluation system included documenting case the Initiative could document data from the studies and evaluating progress on chosen earning cycles. The knowledge dialogue and indicators on a periodic basis which helped re- communication strategies, matured at the latter look at the outcomes allowing the project to half of the Project to become more outward change gears accordingly. For example, adult looking, were fed into a process of policy literacy for women was added early on as a first dialogue. Two parallel processes were initiated: step to build their confidence in new enterprise ● The Lok Awaas Yatra7 (www.lokawaasyatra.net) management whereas basic math skills were in the Central Zone was a part of a nationwide added to the building artisans’ training module process to develop and influence low carbon as some of them graduated into contracting and and resource efficient social habitat, specifically construction management. targeted at the semi-arid region of Bundelkhand. Regular visits and sharing of documents Learning from Vidharbha and Marathwada with local authorities, institutions, beneficiaries brought home the need for large scale training

Regular discussions amongst and other donors were encouraged throughout of artisans in eco-techniques, role of knowledge target communities led to the the Project. This supported integration of resource centres and integration of new identification of technologies to the Project’s interventions with programmes technologies and techniques of construction be promoted, institutional form and schemes of the district and state level in rural public buildings as well as housing. The and structure of their association, government and quasi-government agencies. Central Zone Yatra culminated at a regional marketing strategies and skill seminar in Bhopal. It provided an opportunity requirements. These discussions themselves have been an exercise Communication and Outreach to the Project to interact with state level of team building and capacity The teams working with different clusters were actors engaged with rural habitat processes.

development. trained in a comprehensive communication The Project communicated its lessons to the O v e r v i e 14 w Overview

new initiative of Madhya Pradesh for enabling capacity building. The training modules, which housing for all and influenced large scale eventually have been converted into training capacity building of artisans and inclusion of manuals, drew upon the extensively consultative low-carbon and resource efficient construction process of knowledge dialogue and the green at the State Schedule of Rates. A subsequent social enterprise initiative. A cadre of trainers workshop, organised by the Rural Development such as master mason trainers, agriculture Department of Government of Madhya animators and core women managers are now Pradesh in October 2010 brought 50 CEOs in a position to take forward this training across from 50 districts of the State to Development to communities in other villages. Alternatives to be oriented to various eco- Technical training of various agriculture construction technologies. Subsequently, practices was spread over the cropping cycles working group sessions with the district officials in the Kharif and Rabi seasons for the farmers in Bhopal to design the Chief Minister’s Awaas group. The farmers associated with the Project Yojna were held. These deliberated on the used the base of a Kisan Samuh (farmer club) significance of sustainability in construction scheme floated by the NABARD to organise mechanisms for large scale training of building themselves in a 3 tier federated structure with artisans and demonstrated eco-technologies the apex institution as the Harit Kisan Maha

using public community buildings. Mandal (FAC in the Project). Interspersed with The project engaged with policy ● The second process to build a shared technical training were sessions on group makers at different levels in the perspective on sustainable water management building and management that were identified region. Fostering interactions and energy security in Bundelkhand started for the farmers cluster at various levels. amongst state level policy with a roundtable discussion with experts Discussions with building artisans and the actors and the new community enterprises not only motivated and policy enablers, which had, as already training needs assessment revealed a need the project communities but indicated, led to the BKP. Policy papers were for technical skill building in certain identified brought to fore their potential developed in association with CSO, academic skills/construction technologies besides an and relevance as drivers of a and government stakeholders in the region. enhancement in soft skills to read drawings; green development process. The discussions were shared across the region make simple cost estimates for construction and with state actors working on the State works and negotiations with clients and Action Plan on Climate Change and state level construction management. The trainings for departments responsible for the Bundelkhand improved supervisory skills, quality assurance Package8. and basic math were therefore added into their repertoire. Technical and skill building training for Capacity Building artisans has been linked with the construction of Technical Training and Support houses under Government of India’s Indira Awaas Identification of supports required for economic Yojna9 (IAY) and community buildings under activities and their facilitation has been central to Madhya Pradesh Government’s capacity building programme for the Chief Minister’s Awaas Yojna10. that may be done to available local resources Building artisans like farmers are individual based on women’s comfort levels, leading to more entrepreneurs and traditionally, have not worked complex issues such as collective management as a collective. The new model of working together of resources, understanding local markets, price which could develop and strengthen their eco- structures and roles of intermediary agents and construction brand identity posed challenges in setting up collective marketing etc. terms of form and structure of their association. Several exercises were thus undertaken to Exposure Visits and Vision for a Less enhance capacities in this direction, i.e., setting up Vulnerable Future of group governance rules and shaping up of the The agriculturally lean period of summer was artisans association under the banner of TKM as a also utilised for exposure visits that formed mutually aided cooperative society model. a part of the capacity building process of Capacity building of the women’s group the farmers. The farmers group visited the associated with the Sri Ram Raja Gaushala Vidharbha region which has comparable semi- started with basic literacy skills using a fast arid conditions and faced similar problems of track system called TARAkshar11. With reading delayed monsoons and droughts. A visit to the and writing skills in place, exposure visits and a Prototype Production Centre of the Institute series of visualisation exercises were conducted of Agriculture Engineering gave them an idea to identity appropriate interventions ensuring of a wide range of available small tools and a regular energy source. Technical trainings equipment from which a few were selected consisted of use and management of the for adding to the equipment bank. Training grinders, chilling plant, oil expeller etc. The cum exposure was also organised at the operation, maintenance and management of Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) at the bio-engine were included. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which brought to the While it was fairly easy for farmers and fore the role of vegetable farming. The Shade building artisans to make changes in the Net Technology was also demonstrated at the established practices and identify the weak links TARAgram12 Pahuj Centre. in the value chains of their existing livelihood Artisans from the TKM participated in the Capacity building has wider enterprises; the women’s cluster however, needed Lok Awaas Yatra to learn from innovative models connotations than just skill to first understand and then develop backward of rural habitat across different geo-climatic development. Technical, and forward links of the value chains in their ‘new regions in India. This provided them with an financial and marketing livelihood enterprises’. Therefore, a ‘community opportunity to interact with fellow artisans, support services to community based livelihood enterprise development process’ Panchayat members and district level officials institutions are critical to assist in behaviour change and was developed in association with MARTrural from their own and other regions, broadening ensure that the new practices specifically to address their capacities. This has their perspectives as well as sensitising the

take hold and replicate. included processes of identifying value addition government actors. O v e r v i e 16 w Overview

The Green Enterprise Model There is still a long way to go but the base has The 3 target groups were organised in the been established. intervention as ‘green social enterprises’ Equipment was sourced through project as community groups engaged in viable support for the new technologies and for sustainable economic activities with lower enhancing technical efficiencies and all three carbon and resource footprints. These groups cluster groups continue to contribute towards were organised in tier based formal associations. the maintenance of this capital and to add to The component of the intervention focussed this kitty. A parallel system for monitoring the on ‘tangible results’ of enhanced incomes, application of new practices by farmers and reduced carbon footprints, public funds accessed building artisans with incomes being accrued to and numbers of target communities reached. each cluster has been developed. While the foundations for the component A methodology for measurement of carbon are based on effective knowledge dialogue, footprints of activities, based on United Nations communication processes, training and Framework Convention on Climate Change capacity building; the aspects of understanding (UNFCCC) methodology AMS II F has been each business, addressing needs of market used to develop a Programme of Activities development and making support services Design Document (PoADD) that is now ready Hands on training has been available have been central for developing the for registration with the National Ministry for enriched with discussion on ‘the community enterprises . Environment and Forests (MoEF) for host country why of new technologies and Supports towards developing the green approval. An energy and resource calculator for their application’. Master trainers enterprise models were aimed at new buildings has been developed for the tracking have emerged from the target technologies and enhancing technical and the reduced carbon footprints of buildings groups ready to take the new technologies forward. economic efficiencies, which had the potential being constructed by the eco-artisans. These to contribute significantly to reduction in carbon tools will now enable the documentation and footprints and environmental sustainability. aggregation of ecological benefits. The Project developed business plans In addition to possible future financing for enterprises, worked with the community from carbon funds, the Project has linked each groups to conduct cost-benefit analysis, of community clusters to local government and helped artisans and women to understand private financing available. The farmers have and define processes for products and services accessed funds and services for various micro- delivery, supported negotiation of deals with irrigation, horticulture and seeds; the building customers for artisans and women and helped artisans have been linked to private and public both women and farmers to take up collective construction and training contracts while the marketing of produce. Market development women’s group has been linked to the forest efforts were made for both artisans and departments’ biogas initiatives and to the local women’s group to establish their businesses. mid-day meal programme. Outcome So far, 285 small and marginal farmers have tillage, drip irrigation and sprinkler systems that shifted to improved practices of agriculture such have resulted in savings in irrigation and also as resilient seed varieties, line sowing, reduced prevented loss of seed and crop when the rains

Table 1: Summary of Outcomes Farmers Women Artisans Enhanced productivity 7 village centres for collective Increase wage rate of Rs. 300 by 30 per cent marketing of various local from (Rs. 200) average produce Improved seeds as Income enhancement of upto Increase in number of work Economic breeders now available Rs. 1500 per woman in one days from 15 days to about benefits year 20 days per month Revenues from rentals Revenue streams for women’s Total skilled work days in of equipment Collective from value adding eco-construction ~ 8500 to local resources set in place through five enterprise units Carbon savings of 9.2 Potential carbon savings ~ Carbon savings through use tCO2 recorded over one 436 tCO2 due to 80 per cent of alternative technologies in year by 100 farmers capacity utilisation and 3900 the period June 2008 to July Environmental tCO2 equivalent due to manure 2011 ~ 115 tCO2 benefits management Water savings by 29 Management of cow-dung for 1695 sq.m of eco- per cent productive use, green fodder construction in two years availability 7 different new Functional literacy of 40 Enhanced skills in eco- technologies reached to women, community based construction technologies 285 farmers enterprise management (80 building artisans) capacities enhanced Capacity enhancement Improved package of Technical skills in operating Basic maths, quality practices for Kharif and biogas engine, 5 production management, supervisory Knowledge and evidence based Rabi crops, agriculture- units and negotiation skills (30 horticulture and inter- building artisans) research and documentation of cropping. good practice will be the basis of policy influence. Knowledge 100 core members of 40 women in the energy cluster 80 core members of the the Harit Kisan Maha and 320 in Sankalp Swashakti TARA Karigar Mandal sharing will be critical for practice Mandal, governance Mahila Mandal, linked to credit Current membership 130. replication. The BKP will now aim rules established processes with banks Governance rules established to scale out the lessons from this Institutional 285 farmers tracked 170 artisans trained by and other good practices relevant strengthening as those influenced building artisan trainers to the region and inform policy through trained and 350 building artisans development in the process. animators additionally trained through the MP State CM’s Awaas

O v e Yojna processes r v i e 18 w Overview

have been delayed as in 2009. An increase in maintain transparency. Similar procedures have productivity to the tune of 30 per cent has been been constituted by the building artisans group. marked. The reduced irrigation has resulted in energy saving coupled with practices of reduced Influencing Behaviour Change tillage, agro-forestry, etc., and have led to a In order to gauge changes at the grassroots, the calculated savings in carbon emission (Table 1). outcomes amongst farmers of the target group The WEC contributed through converting were compared with the control group. Some cow dung into biogas which has indicated a of the positive shifts in terms of line sowing, carbon saving potential from methane capture. use of drip/sprinkler and mixed cropping were Methane capture in the biogas plant has an observed to occur more in the experimental estimated annual green house gas emission group than the corresponding control group. As reduction of 436 tCO2 equivalent based on 80 per compared with the experimental group none of cent capacity utilisation and total load uptake. the farmers in the control group were found to About 130 building artisans under the use sprinklers or drip for irrigation. banner of TKM have created over 1695 sq.m of Depleting water table is a matter of universal green, low carbon, resource efficient buildings concern. The farmers in the experimental group in a span of 2 years, adding 8500 days to their are better equipped to handle the scarcity of income portfolio of green jobs. A saving of 115 water because many of them are practising ‘dry tons of carbon in a period of 1 year has resulted sowing’. For many of them, it was a very ‘new While there is need for a because of the switch in technology promoted concept’ that they have learnt from TARAgram. continued handholding and capacity building of the unique by the work of eco-artisans. The eco-friendly Majority of farmers in the experimental green enterprise models, building techniques are being practiced not group have considered the shift in the rainfall a hard look at financial only at the local level, but has even influenced pattern in their area and have adopted ways viability, strengthening the the state level housing projects. to counter it. However, most of the farmers business and appropriate Apart from the promotion of new and in the control group seem to have resigned to communication will be improved practices for increased returns, the fate. About 48 per cent of the farmers from the required for replication. SCSI also introduced a unique source of income. experimental group are aware of crop insurance, For example, the FAC is providing technology but this awareness is low among the control support to farmers in the form of a rental service group (14 per cent); thus more members from - the provision for lending of farm equipment to the experimental group have insured their crop. farmers primarily to their members or even to Nearly 89 per cent farmers from the experimental non-members if the farmer groups so decide. The group have motivated other fellow farmers in farmers group has institutionalised the practice the newer methods of farming. On an average by deciding on certain procedural norms and each farmer has motivated 27 fellow farmers. rules for issuing of the farm implements and The carbon analysis and income tracking of machinery so as to standardise the process and the 100 core farmers in the experimental group of the Initiative reveals that there is a substantial revenue. Some produce pre-fabricated boundary benefit, both in terms of incomes as input cost wall panels while others did micro-concrete reduction and increase in productivity. The roofing tiles, concrete door/window frames environmentally sensitive practices as observed and compressed earth blocks. Building artisans across the interventions reduce emissions and indicated increased levels of confidence in their contribute to water conservation and soil fertility trade after formal training and have mentioned (in case of farmers). The calculations reveal the that not only their market rates have gone up, highest environmental benefits by way of carbon they now have increased work days as well. sequestration through agro-forestry techniques. Of the eco-technologies promoted, the rat It is estimated that as the Project matures and trap technique for wall construction is more interventions start showing economic benefits, popular, as also is the awareness on stabilised there would be enhanced willingness to adopt compressed earth block masonry system and techniques that ensure overall greater economic concrete blocks among the experimental group security. compared to the control group. More than one- A similar exercise comparing the target third of the building artisans in the experimental with the control group was undertaken for TKM. group revealed that rat-trap is the best option Overall, the target group was seen to be more for walls because of its `cost effectiveness` and proactive in promoting eco-technologies in `thermal comfort properties’. The target group construction i. e., about 11 building artisans in is better informed on ferro-cement, brick arch, the interviewed set of experimental group as funicular roof and plank and joist roofs than their compared to none (in the control group) had counterparts in the control group. initiated making of eco-products to add to their

Acceptance of improved practices beyond the target clusters by the larger community and clients of the green social enterprises is a mark of their robustness and indicate that with appropriate policy enablers, large scale

replication is a possibility. O v e r v i e 20 w Overview

Emerging Lessons The lessons that the 3 years’ experience has to new knowledge and making discussion brought to SCSI are summed up as follows: platforms/forums available fall in this realm. Exposure to good practices is a must: Seeing is Training/skill building is a limited and short believing term intervention which can be planned in In all 3 projects, the participants’ exposure to advance with clear objectives. Behaviour practices being adopted and benefits being change, however, depends on facilitation and accrued by other similar communities in capacity development that require continuous Vidharbha, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bihar not only engagement with the target groups over a helped them engage in knowledge dialogue, longer period of time. but also led to selection of locally relevant Precise planning for such a process is options and methods. difficult and has to be based on real time results In-situ demonstration makes the difference depending a lot on demonstration at resource Community based green enterprise models can be In-situ demonstration of a variety of new centres and project-prompted local meetings replicated across the region to techniques in agriculture through one season and discussions. The knowledge dialogue provide co-benefits of reduced by the initial adopters who had tested the process was instrumental in initiating the process vulnerability to climate change systems in small sections of their farms resulted of capacity building. Regular and proactive and low carbon economic into behavioural change of farmers towards engagement has resulted in a demand driven growth. This will require both new ideas. Similarly, despite limited adoption facilitation after 3 years of the intervention. This building on and building afresh, partnerships with CSOs, of bio-energy application due to technical has implications for ‘support services centres and scientific institutes, extension inability of the bio-energy unit to ensure their roles’ that will be required to replicate the resource centres to set in place continuous, uninterrupted and regular supply good practices across the region. mechanisms for scale out. of electricity, the non-energy related activities The training and skill development process such as collective marketing of local produce too needs to be approached in a cyclic manner demonstrated by WEC were quickly adopted. The to address periodic updating of existing building artisans in TKM used demonstrations of information as well as the next level so that eco-buildings to their advantage by showcasing enterprises can be managed without much them for promotion to clients and engaging handholding. other artisans in their group. ‘Ownership’ of Access to information and skill building with process and related technique/practice was thus links for business development enable take up critical to changes observed in the behaviour. of new practices Capacity building has wider connotation than A large measure of supports to the artisans group skill development was in terms of helping in business development The entire range of supports include information, for eco-construction. Handholding for project know-how, technical, financial and institutional negotiations, developing small contractual trouble shooting, market linkages, exposure templates, training in cost estimation for bidding for small projects and in management of contracts for moving up the value chain of livelihoods along with developing a communication based on has not been fully comprehended portfolio was part and parcel of positioning or appreciated although ‘regular energy’, a their group in the local and government market. prerequisite necessary to operate the small Interlinking entrepreneurships with business enterprise units for income enhancement is in opportunities had raised the TKM building demand. artisans’ wages; they have also started working The work of artisans and its potential to as collectives on contractual bases. reduce/mitigate climate change impacts was Comprehensive solutions for risk management not evident to the group. The message, therefore, through appropriate media is essential had to be modified based on value perception Communication of risks along with solutions by their clients as being economic and resource for risk management through culturally popular saving besides being thermally efficient, one media leads to quick connect. The radio and the that would enable artisans to promote good possibility of dialogue through the radio has practices in the market. This strategy has also been very popular; the street play as well as wall played a critical role in influencing the policy in paintings were useful; however, literate audience Madhya Pradesh State Rural Housing Mission. also welcome dissemination material simply A basket of practices and techniques is required conveyed through print media. and different adaptation options needed. Messages on climate change and its impacts Different options enabled the artisans to offer which connect directly with livelihoods had a variety of options to their clients. Farmers, a high recall value. Communication about however, picked up the practices that were easier ecological benefits and links of current situation to do; where subsidy supports were available and with the climate change were easiest with the or where investments were affordable to each. farming community, i. e., recall was quite high on Similarly, women have identified oil expeller and training regarding water management practices. flour mill activities as more beneficial, as also The women’s group could also connect seasonal collection of neem, ginger, spices etc. readily with impacts of climate change when Cooperative/collective action is beneficial the local resources and increasing vulnerability Collectives can operate at economies of scale. were brought into the picture. The shift Bargaining and negotiating are easier as a group. Many public programmes towards alternative economic opportunities Women, through their SHGs have probably directed to address water was also desired; many options such as poultry, gained maximum strength as collective to conservation, improved milk collection and spice making etc. were first develop confidence to initiate alternate agriculture for food security, considered. The recall was quite high on training livelihood activities and then to explore a livelihood security and capacity building are available. The need on milk chilling (90 per cent), making spices business approach for the same. is to converge and demonstrate (86.7 per cent) and oil expelling (73.3 per cent). Changes in practices are incremental

benefits. The links with bio-energy and economic growth As immediate short-term benefits with small O v e r v i e 22 w Overview

scale investments in response to ‘prioritised district level to support community groups to value’ ascribed by the users begin to show, the take up identified new options in farming and next level of intervention is often sought. For bio-energy. Informed advocacy at the district example, of the many practices in improved level is necessary to access funds available under farming, farmers took to line sowing using the development programmes and for replicating seed drill first (which could be borrowed locally) good practices. as this provided immediate results in enhanced productivity and reduced water requirement. Scaling up the Initiative This practice was followed by adaptation of Resource centres supported by Development improved seeds. The benefits accruing were Alternatives at Orchha, Pahuj and the Gaushala identified so much so that the first season have played the anchoring role for a wide produce was retained and sold as seeds to other range of activities. Such resource centres will farmers rather than as grain in the market. have to be replicated for clusters of districts. The carbon and resource tracking will document Artisans had adopted the rat-trap technique These centres will have to be equipped with emission and resource widely followed by the pre-fabricated door/ extension and communication services and savings for each of the small window frames whereas roofing techniques linked to research institutes, technical and interventions. While each have had a slow following. financial service providers. Engagement with will offer a tiny saving, the Influencing policy is not a linear task government functionaries at local level facilitates aggregation of the potentially A multi-pronged strategy including liaison with access to government schemes, programmes large numbers of individual units in rural Bundelkhand government, regular communication to relevant and markets. BKP has the potential to facilitate a would amount to substantial stakeholders, exposure visits, orientation support service network in the region based on savings. The challenge is how workshops, campaigns, theoretical and action a knowledge sharing framework. this switch can be incentivised research leading to knowledge publications Focused attention on core concerns and a through institutional means. and field demonstration is essential to influence synergy between short-term activities and long- policy discourses and implementation. term goals is a must. The deliberations at the BKP Continuous engagement with various levels have revealed that water and energy security, of government at Panchayat, district and state linked to agriculture and allied livelihoods and emerged as crucial. The Project could respond value addition to local resources, are keys to to emerging policy scenario in Madhya Pradesh reducing vulnerability to climate risks in the with the announcement of the Chief Minister’s region. Further, there is much work required on Awaas Yojna. the management of livestock, especially fodder Liaison with village level Institutions and security issues. Such dialogues and discussions district level agencies was found to be useful need continuous evidence-based research for identifying the gaps in existing programmes support. and schemes. The Project was able to leverage Integrating the Project interventions into funds from development programmes at the district planning processes has the potential to leverage schemes and programmes of the means of up-scaling the initiatives. government towards ‘low-carbon growth’. Madhya Pradesh Rural Housing and Habitat Programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi Mission announced by the Chief Minister and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, its rapid follow up by the state administration Integrated Watershed Development Programme has been a positive change in the institutional (IWDP) can be influenced for promoting water context. The Project was ready and positioned and energy security, resource efficient and well to respond to the need and demands by energy saving infrastructure and buildings the government and could contribute both and biogas at domestic and community levels. intellectually as well as in terms of providing However, as the exposure visit to Hivre Bazaar service supports to the State Government. This has indicated that integrated village and district has created an opportunity to enlarge the eco- planning processes incorporating “low carbon, artisan base and significantly address carbon climate resilient growth” concepts will facilitate savings in building and infrastructure creation. desired change across the region. Lessons from Madhya Pradesh are being The current scales at which the operations discussed with governments in Bihar and Orissa (agriculture and renewable energy based and inputs are being provided to the Ministry livelihoods) are being carried out in the pilot are of Rural Development, Government of India. not large enough to be registered for obtaining Availability of eco-materials and delivery of benefits from carbon markets on their own. An eco-services for housing have been identified alternative approach is to integrate the initiatives as the key components for promoting safe and with existing (Voluntary Emission Reduction) sustainable habitat. The states as well as national carbon revenue projects. governments are inclined to promote low carbon The BKP, detailed earlier, emerged as an habitat development within the space of current idea from the Project and has received positive and proposed habitat policies. They are also responses from various stakeholders who see seeking opportunities to engage with financing this as a mechanism to collate information agencies, private sector and others to enhance on wide-ranging issues and also to develop habitat development that responds to climate collaborations for action and advocacy. The change. The current opportunity lies in reporting knowledge platform has the potential to link on the benefits as eco-habitat application scales Experienced benefits can be with emerging policy processes of the state such up and in facilitating institutional partnerships attributed to new practices as the State Action Plan for Climate Change and to enable large scale application of eco-habitat being adopted. A system to service it by way of reporting on new options development in rural areas. track and document the changes for adaptation, studies on green growth models Under the NAPCC (announced during in practices, productivity and incomes is also providing data to and emerging good practices from the field. It the course of the Project), all states have been calculate reduction in emissions can play an important role in documenting the directed to develop their action plans to address

and conservation of water. processes and validating the successes to find concerns arising out of climate change. Uttar O v e r v i e 24 w Overview

Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh which constitute Climate Change, the mandated departments the Bundelkhand region are both engaged in the responsible for the utilisation of the package will preparation of their respective plans. Sustainable need to report against climate change adaptation management of water for ensuring security in and mitigation indicators. An opportunity, agriculture has been identified as the critical key therefore, has emerged to engage in meaningful concern under the state action plan for climate dialogue with the State to support the reporting change. climate change adaptation benefits and through The Bundelkhand Package as a financial effective communication advocate to direct fund assistance for the region has been announced utilisation in the direction of green growth. by the central government to address the At the National level, the opportunity concerns arising from recurrent droughts and low exists for a national government to act as an development indices in the region. It has opened aggregator and identify nationally appropriate avenues to systematically make investments in mitigation actions. The Government of India’s The project provided the support land and water management. While the Package thrust as evident from NAPCC is growth oriented services to target groups and brings in much needed relief for the region, it within the framework of emission reduction in other stakeholders in the needs to be further analysed from the viewpoint critical sectors, i.e., low-carbon economic growth process. The support services such as information, technical of climate. In light of the State Action Plan for and on adaptation. trouble shooting, assistance with government schemes, liaison with government agencies, business development etc., are essential for supporting intent to change behaviour. Scaling up of practices will require that such support services are available widely and are accessible to the community groups. Challenges While SCSI has achieved commendably in the demonstration of these models will also be past 36 months, there are still many challenges critical for influencing policy processes. The to both the sustainability of the operations of the current community based institutions have small community clusters as well as in replication to be reoriented to become service providers of good practices across the region. for promoting the low carbon climate resilient The package of improved agricultural growth in their and other villages. practices collated under the Project have to Energy use efficiency leads to reduction in be taken up by institutions such as the KVKs emissions of carbon dioxide. The reductions in all for replication. Replication, however, is also the 3 clusters are being tracked and quantified dependent on favourable policy processes in and can, in principle, help in securing access the two states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya to carbon finance. No formal system of seeking Pradesh. The BKP needs wide ownership for it finance for eco-construction exists so far. to be able to influence practice and policy. The The activities of Farmers’ and Women’s potential links of the platform with government’s clusters have been compiled as PoADD and Bundelkhand Package remain a challenge for the submitted for the host country approval to Project further aggravated by slow procedural the MoEF. Their future will depend as much on processes and external factors and mandates of quantum replication, engagement with potential agencies not in project control. carbon buyers as on national international The Bundelkhand region has tremendous carbon market situation in a post Kyoto world. potential with its diverse natural resources, a As such, to base sustainability of the green social workforce trained in traditional agriculture and enterprises on availability of carbon finance per artisanship and a rich indigenous time-tested se appear to be impractical - these can at best be knowledge base. This base remains an untapped considered bonus if they do materialise. resource, particularly in terms of regeneration The Project will, therefore, need to service of water and soil. The formalisation of the 3 policy processes that enable rural communities, associations and their continued capacity entrepreneurs and institutions to access The need of the hour are climate sensitive policies in building and hand-holding will be required public funds through government schemes Bundelkhand that support for another couple of years, at least till such and programmes, credit supports to adopt sustainable development and time as the revenue cycles support the auto sustainable livelihood practices. drought mitigation leading to management of the institutions. The effective appreciable economic benefits to local communities, reduced vulnerabilities, enhanced savings in carbon emissions and a regenerated resource base for

livelihoods. O v e r v i e 26 w Overview

Endnotes: 1. Report on ‘Drought Mitigation Strategy for Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh’ by Dr. J.S Samra of the National Rain- Fed Areas Authority, 2008. 2. Based on information obtained from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune during a collaborative project entitled: Risk Communication for Adapting to Climate Change – Communicating risk to policy makers and vulnerable community for assisting planning process in adaptation strategy to climate change at district level, supported by UNITAR 3. Shubh Kal, is a campaign led by Development Alternatives to address concerns of climate change impacts on the lives of rural communities in Bundelkhand and to promote low carbon - climate resilient growth through influencing livelihood practices and policy development in the region. 4. Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), a national institute under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (IARI), is mandated to conduct basic, strategic, applied and adaptive research; development and training in forage production and it’s utilisation for farmers. 5. Krishi Vigyan Kendras are innovative science based institutions, established mainly to impart vocational training to the farmers and field level extension workers. 6. MARTrural is an organisation working for sustainable livelihood creation of the rural poor which engages in finding innovative rural solutions that meet the specific requirements and fill the gap between corporate and development sectors. 7. The Lok Awaas Yatra is an initiative of the basin-South Asia Regional Knowledge Platform. (www.basinsa.net) and was specifically designed for local governance institutions and grassroots implementing agencies to learn from innovative models of rural habitat development across the five geo-climatic regions in India. The Central Zone Yatra which comprised of Bundlekhand, Vidharbha and Marathwada regions culminated at a regional seminar in Bhopal and brought to fore the need for eco-technologies and integrated sustainable rural habitat development. . (www. lokawaasyatra.net) 8. Bundelkhand Package is a special financial allocation announced by the Central Government for an amount of Rs. 7266 crores for the implementation of a drought mitigation strategy over a 3 year period starting 2009-10 for the development of 13 districts in Bundelkhand region. 9. Indira Awaas Yojna is the flagship social; housing scheme of the Central Government administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. 10. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s Awaas Yojna is a new scheme for facilitating housing for all rural families in Madhya Pradesh. It provides financial assistance through grant and credit and has incorporated the aspects of eco-construction in its implementation. 11. TARAkshar is an IT based pan India Hindi literacy programme for adult literacy delivered by Development Alternatives. 12. TARAgram is a rural resource centre promoted by the Development Alternatives Group. The centre now has three campuses at Orchha, Datia (MP) and Ambai, near Pahuj (Jhansi. UP). TARAgram centres provide technical, institutional and management supports and services for community and governance institutions in Bundelkhand for sustainable livelihoods in the region.

O v e r v i e 28 w Development Alternatives Climate Change and Development Division, B-32 TARA Crescent Embassy of Switzerland in India Qutub Institutional Area Chandragupta Maurya Marg New Delhi 110016 Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India Phone +91 11 2613 4103, 2696 0380 Phone +91 11 4995 9570 Fax +91 11 2613 0817 Fax +91 11 49 95 9589 www.devalt.org www.deza.admin.ch/en/Home www.bkpindia.net www.eda.admin.ch/newdelhi