We work with communities to reorganize and democratize traditional adivasi governance systems and transform them into democratically functioning Gram Sabhas for self-rule towards buen vivir or manchi jeevitam.

 

Customary Law

Adivasi communities record their customary laws and governance systems using emancipatory and decolonizing indigenous methodologies towards building community resilience and buen vivir (manchi jeevitam).

 

Democratizing Traditional Governance

Adivasi communities democratize the traditional systems of governance in which youth and elders (women and men) are critical in the deliberation and deliverance of justice based on adivasi principles that uphold the adivasi worldviews and protect indigenous rights as enshrined in India’s constitution and in international declarations such as the UNDRIP.

Adivasi communities work to re-organise traditional governance systems and transform them into democratically functioning Gram Sabhas.

 

Resources and Rights

Adivasi communities develop indigenous biocultural protocols/ life plans based on customary law as safeguards to protect communities’ rights to territories and resources.

Adivasi Communities use PESA, FRA, 1/70, and other constitutional safeguards to defend their rights.

Gram Sabhas are empowered to critically assess and exercise their Free and Prior Informed Consent with regards to development programs and policies.

 

Food Sovereignty and Climate Change

Gram Sabhas evolve culturally and ecologically appropriate life plans that support diverse and resilient local food systems to foster communities’ resilience to respond to climate change and build food sovereignty.