Strategic Extensions
Testing new approaches to meet evolving community needs.
Building for What Comes Next
Strategic Extension projects enable Gram Vikas to explore new approaches and prepare for emerging priorities. They help us to:
Develop and refine models before scale
Address new priorities through focused initiatives
Build technical and institutional capability
Strengthen core programme platforms through evidence and learning
Featured Initiatives
Donor Partner: Multiple partners | Year: 2022–Present
Vikalp
Implemented with the Social Shapes Foundation, Vikalp supports adolescents and young people aged 10–24 in 42 remote habitations to make informed education and livelihood choices. Village-level learning groups provide mentorship, digital literacy, exposure, and support for higher education, scholarships, and employment. The initiative works across five Gram Panchayats in Jharsuguda, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts, while nurturing emerging young leaders within these communities.
Donor Partner: Mission Shakti | Year: 2023–2026
Swayamshree
Swayamshree strengthens women-owned enterprises across 30 blocks in Bargarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Kandhamal. Building on the foundation of Government of Odisha’s Mission Shakti, it supports women’s collectives to move from informal economic activity towards stable, income-generating enterprises. The initiative reaches nearly 3,00,000 women across 475 Gram Panchayats.
Donor Partner: Azim Premji Foundation | Year: 2023–2025
Rural Crèche Initiative
The Rural Crèche Initiative supports children aged 7–35 months in 50 remote villages across Gajapati, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi. Community-based centres provide nutrition, health services, and early childhood development for seven to eight hours a day, six days a week. The crèches enable parents to work while young children are cared for close to home.
Donor Partner: HDFC Bank Parivartan | Year: 2024–2027
Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP)
HRDP strengthens local institutions and brings together livelihoods, water, sanitation, natural resource management, and skills within a coordinated village development framework. In Bolangir and Keonjhar, it works across 79 habitations to prepare village development plans and build core infrastructure.
Other Strategic Initiatives
Additional focused initiatives across districts and themes.
Donor Partner: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) | Year: 2022 - Present
Expansion of Sunflower Areas in Rice Fallows in Ganjam & Introduction of promising climate-resilient new pigeon pea varieties in Odisha
Expanding sunflower cultivation in rice fallows and introducing climate-resilient pigeon pea varieties across Odisha.
Donor Partner: Responsible Coalition for Resilient Communities (RCRC) | Year: 2022 - Present
Facilitating Integrated Farming Clusters in Gajapati
Supporting integrated farming clusters to improve agricultural productivity and household incomes.
Donor Partner: SBI Foundation | Year: 2022 - Present
Sahayog - Support to projects of Youth for India Fellows
Supporting community-led initiatives designed and implemented by Youth for India Fellows.
Donor Partner: charity: water | Year: 2018 - Present
Increasing access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene services in Odisha and Jharkhand
Improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services for rural households.
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Shaping Core Programmes
Learning and partnerships developed through these initiatives strengthen our core work.
Water Secure Gram Panchayat
Securing equitable access to water for climate resilience, better health and shared prosperity in rural communities.
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Safe and Dignified Migration
Building community-rooted systems at scale, informing policy and practice for safer migration.
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News & Stories
Stories and updates from ongoing initiatives.
