The Urban Community Resilience program operates through 12 different People’s Collectives located and associated with the Urban Slums of Ahmedabad. The Collectives are fundamentally community-based democratic entities, operated by the people for the benefit of the people and dedicated to facilitating their welfare.
The Collective links underprivileged residents and vital Public Goods and Services. The mandate of the Collectives’ towards service delivery is holistic in that the collective provides aid and advice for Entitlement Facilitation of Identity Documents, Community Development based Civic Services, Government Welfare Schemes, Conflict Resolution, Relief Work, Financial inclusion, and more. The collective goal envisions making the residents independently active and Self-Sustaining to break the chains of poverty.
For the collective to succeed, the Community Mobilizers of the Collective are supported by the Community leaders, who are local residents serving as a bridge between the residents of the neighborhood and the collective. These Community Leaders assist in various activities such as outreach and mobilization, organizing local camps for Entitlement Facilitation, supporting the fellows in conflict resolution, negotiating with the local authorities to develop civic services, and much more. Capacity building for community leaders is a crucial focus aimed at equipping them with the skills needed to guide the community. These leaders are embedded within the social group, which is critical in building a self-sufficient neighborhood.
In a decade, the Collectives have grown strong bonds with the people and are growing consistently. With the Collective’s efforts, significant progress has been achieved in addressing the complex challenges faced by the Urban Poor of Ahmedabad. This inclusive and participatory approach underpins the strength of the collective, ensuring they remain deeply connected to the needs and aspirations of their members in a just manner.