Mission, Vision, Values
We work with communities to build systems they can govern and carry forward.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote sustainable, socially inclusive, and gender-equitable processes to enable critical masses of poor and marginalised rural people or communities to achieve a dignified quality of life.
MANTRA Approach
Our Vision
Our vision is an equitable and sustainable society where people live in peace with dignity.
Decade V Strategic Direction
Our Values
Gram Vikas is guided by the values of inclusion, equity, and dignity. Individually and collectively, we work to build an organisational culture that reflects these values in practice.
We are embedded in the community.
Our actions are anchored in the evolving needs of our partner communities, with every outcome forged collaboratively, valuing their knowledge and trusting their capabilities. Motivated by solidarity over charity, we strengthen the collective agency of the communities to carve their paths towards dignified lives.
We have people at the centre.
We value our team as our greatest asset, fostering a workplace prioritising continuous learning, growth, and professionalism. Honouring our core value of inclusion, we ensure equal opportunities for all team members, irrespective of caste, religion, gender, age, or orientation, and treat everyone with respect and dignity.
We are open, transparent and collaborative.
We champion open communication and growth, embracing new ideas, providing empathetic feedback, and having authentic, respectful discussions. We emphasise transparency and collaboration across all levels, valuing the diverse contributions and perspectives of our teams, communities, and stakeholders.
We are agile and resilient.
In an ever-changing, volatile world, we embrace change and take risks, leveraging technology and both new and indigenous knowledge to remain agile and ethical. Through continuous learning, acknowledging diverse voices, and fostering communities of support, we build resilience in our teams and systems.
FROM OUR FOUNDER
“We are not a charitable organisation; mere charity beliefs cause dependency and retards self-reliance. We only aim at people to help themselves. We are not missionaries. Our group has members of different religions, castes, and languages. We do not have any political affiliations. We believe there are only two parties - the have and have-nots. Our mission is to convert the have-not to have.”
Joe Madiath, 1981
And what exactly is Gram Vikas?
In this reflective note written in 1981, founder Joe Madiath outlines Gram Vikas’s role as a facilitator and catalyst in addressing entrenched poverty. The piece offers insight into the organisation’s founding beliefs, early initiatives, and enduring commitment to community-led change.
Read The Note
See how our work with communities is reflected in outcomes over time.
Explore Progress
