SAMBANDH

Current focus areas are the following: • Climate change trials through alternative energy resources and conservation of forest. • Sustainable livelihood through NRM based integrated watershed and non-farm activities • Community health based on local health practices and uses of medicinal plants • Community based disaster preparedness • Strengthening local government and constructive civic engagement in tracking the poverty alleviation schemes and public expenditure in delivery of public services

SAMBANDH works in 504villages in 86 gram Panchayats, in 37blocks of 9districts such as Cuttack, Puri, Ganjam, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhmal, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar & Bolangir in Orissa. SAMBANDH directly covers 5665 households with more than 50,000 population and through the partners another 9951households covering another 70,000 population with support from European commission, DIPECHO, UNDP, Welthungerhilfe, BMZ, KFW, NABARD, MoEF, Ayush, NMPB, Misereor, PTF and BD. The emerging ethos is for sustainable rural livelihoods strategy with entitlement rights being based on an analysis of the assets (physical, social, human, natural and financial) for livelihood opportunities and to enable them to overcome entitlement failures. SAMBANDH has played a pioneering role in bringing to the centre-stage the promotion of indigenous knowledge towards providing the livelihood and health security among the tribals and dalits. It works in 9 districts of Orissa with primarily tribals such as Kondhs, Kohls, Bhatudis, Mankidias, Khadias, and Bhuiyans.