ABOUT US:

          The Genesis:

Growing Association of 16 years from 7 to 18 members, Rajmeru has emerged as a strong Collective Forms of Cooperation (CFC) forum at state level as a result of an integrated rural development project in Rajasthan, whereas six members are Life members, five are associate members and rest of seven members are Co-opted members of Rajmeru. Rajmeru stands to sustain the process which was initiated at community level through CBOs and People’s Organizations during the implementation of development initiatives in Rajasthan, where a culture of sharing, discussion and debate on collective issues had developed among the partners. This process was strengthened by holding meetings and focused discussions at regular intervals and hence it was felt that there should be a platform to promote common understanding and collective action around issues of common concern. A need was felt for the emergence of a forum that would bring a better impact to the development of the state at large. A Forum of development initiatives in Rajasthan emerged and was named as RAJMERU which means Raj-Sand and Meru’-Mountain. Moreover, Rajasthan is the combination of both land (sand) and mountains.

Rajmeru is a platform for discussion and sharing of information on collectivism to facilitate the development process at local level. This encourages decision making and democratic planning thereby enabling the local people to become self-reliant and capable to handle their own development processes. This forum is a platform to raise issues for strengthening CBOs and their collectives.

RAJMERU is operational in different locations of Rajasthan; this has successfully expanded its network with more than 300 CBOs and their collectives working in different regions of the state on varied issues and concerns. Several issues of people’s concern have been identified to work upon. RAJMERU after a long  deliberation  has  made  a shift  in  its  approach  and  activities  considering  the  specific  geographical  nature  of  the  state,  its  arid  climate  and environment. The Forum has also initiated its efforts for ensuring rights of the people through continuous dialogues at the state level. The core issues being dealt with are drought mitigation, livelihood, Natural Resource Management and Local Self-Governance etc. 

Vision:

Rajmeru visualizes a society where justice, equity and socio economic righteousness prevail with dignity and self-respect of each individual.

Mission:

Establishing an organic linkage with various civil society actors to emerge as a force towards fighting against poverty, inequality and deprivations and promote people’s collectives for transformational development.

Overall Goal: 

Promoting Action in Collaboration with CSOs, networks, Government and other stakeholders for facilitating Sustainable Development processes through strengthening local leadership and their institutions. 

Issues:  

Rajmeru envisages changing social scenario via information, awareness and empowered the rural populace. All development interventions at Rajmeru are guided by the principles of People oriented collective action, collective decision-making, participatory approach and practicing of equity principles. Rajmeru aims to promote People’s collectives for collective action for sustainable development at various levels.

Key Intervention and Thrust Areas:  

·         Livelihood and Food security 

·         Natural Resource Management 

·         Strengthening Governance 

·         Networking and Alliance Building  

·         Research and Documentation 

·         Integration of cross cutting issues- Gender, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR)