Capacity Building Programmes

Training, Learning & Capacity Building Programs

Program I : Revitalization of the Power of Indian Civil Society

EU - SAKSHAM

About the Project

Strong organisations make space for stronger communities.

The SAKSHAM Project – “Revitalizing the Power of Indian Civil Society” is a strategic initiative supported by the European Union (EU) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and jointly implemented by Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra (SSK), Financial Management Service Foundation (FMSF), and Vikas Samvad Sansthan (VSS).

Location: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and West Bengal.

Supported By: European Union & Welthungerhilfe.

The project strengthens the institutional capacities, leadership, governance systems, and thematic knowledge of grassroots Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working with marginalized communities, including women, Dalits, Adivasis, and small and marginal farmers.

Key focus areas include:

Strengthening 400 small and mid-sized grassroots CSOs across Central and Northern India.
Supporting thematic networks, platforms, and institutional donors.
Establishing and strengthening Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and Local Resource Centres (LRCs) for training, mentoring, knowledge exchange, and institutional support.
Promoting networking, advocacy, leadership development, and knowledge sharing.

The project aims to contribute to the well-being of nearly 1 million people from vulnerable and marginalized communities and aligns with SDGs 16 and 17, promoting inclusive development, social justice, collaboration, and accountable civil society engagement.

Local leadership

Rooted in the priorities of people and organisations closest to the work.

Learning together

Peer exchange and practice, shaped for real-world challenges.

Stronger systems

Building lasting institutional capacity, not one-off interventions.

Objective of the Project

Practical learning. Collective progress.

The SAKSHAM project aims to enhance partnerships and cooperation within the development sector to ensure sustainable development through a strengthened and inclusive civil society. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 and 17, the project seeks to promote sustainable social change through strong, robust, and resident civil society organizations.
Through a wide range of capacity-building interventions, the project intends to revitalize the overall capacities of CSOs in India, enabling them to function with strong institutional capacities; ultimately, Improved leadership and strengthened collective learning and knowledge systems result in better programming, advocacy, and collaboration between CSOs

Key activities of the project:

Capacity Building Training Programmes

Conducted 21 offline capacity-building training programmes across seven states.
Organized thematic trainings on leadership, gender sensitization, programme management, advocacy, networking, self-development, and local governance.
Used participatory methodologies including role plays, group discussions, simulations, peer learning, reflective exercises, and action planning.

Development of Training Modules and Learning Aids

Created thematic learning resources on leadership, gender mainstreaming, advocacy, governance and programme management & Proposal Writing.
Developed 6 bilingual training modules in Hindi and English.
Developed 7 educational posters and learning aids.
Online Video Learning Series on Leadership Development
Developed structured online leadership learning serious for CSO leaders and field professionals.
Created accessible digital learning content using practical examples and contextual learning approaches.

Online Video Learning Series on Leadership Development

Developed structured online leadership learning series for CSO leaders and field professionals.
Created accessible digital learning content using practical examples and contextual learning approaches.

Online Video Learning Series on Leadership Development

Developed structured online leadership learning series for CSO leaders and field professionals.
Created accessible digital learning content using practical examples and contextual learning approaches.

Key Online Learning Topics

Core Competencies for Effective Leadership
Stakeholder Management and Leadership Roles
Organizational Structure and Leadership Dynamics
Team Building and Team Management
Role of Voluntary Organizations and Panchayats
Effective Institutional Leadership and Personal Development

CEO Speak” Leadership Interview Series

Produced leadership storytelling videos featuring experienced CSO leaders and practitioners.
Promoted peer learning, leadership inspiration, and practical guidance for emerging organizations.

Online Annual Planning Meeting – February 2026

SSK participated in an online Annual Planning Meeting with consortium partners to review Year-2 progress and prepare implementation strategies for Year-3 activities.

Support to Local Resource Centres (LRCs)

Gender Sensitization and Leadership Building Training – Chitrakoot

A three-day residential training programme was organized at ABSSS, Chitrakoot for adolescent girls.
Organized a three-day residential training on Gender Sensitization and Leadership Building for adolescent girls at ABSSS, Chitrakoot.
Conducted life skills, communication, confidence-building, and decision-making sessions.
Supported LRCs through mentoring, institutional strengthening, and handholding support.

Team Building and Organisational Strengthening – Rajasthan

A residential Team Building programme was conducted at Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS), Rajasthan in January 2026.
The training focused on:
Organisational cohesion
Team communication
Shared leadership
Conflict resolution
Trust-building
Internal coordination systems

Meetings

Semi-Annual Review and Planning Meetings

Conducted six-month review and planning meetings for assessing progress and future action planning.
Identified thematic gaps and planned specialized future trainings.

Annual Review and Planning Meeting – Ayodhya, March 2026

An Annual Review and Planning Meeting was organized in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh with participation from consortium partners and LRC representatives.

The meeting focused on:

Programmatic achievements
Financial performance
Institutional strengthening
Coordination systems
Future implementation strategies

Thematic Areas Identified for Future Capacity Building

Personal Development and Emotional Intelligence
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
Food and Nutrition Security
Women’s Rights
Rights to Water, Land, and Forests
Sustainable Food Systems
Agroecology
Local Self-Governance

LRC Assessment Visits

Conducted institutional assessment visits to Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS), ABSSS Chitrakoot, and Badlao Foundation.
Assessed organizational systems, capacities, learning needs, and partnership opportunities.
Provided structured handholding and institutional support planning.

Knowledge Management, Networking, and Advocacy

Strengthened collaboration among consortium partners and CSO networks.
Promoted evidence-based advocacy, knowledge sharing, and communication initiatives.
Organized review, planning, and coordination meetings to strengthen institutional learning.

Achievement

21 offline training programmes conducted across seven states.
568 participants directly trained.
254 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) engaged.
167 women participants involved.
401 men participants involved.
Activities implemented across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
6 bilingual training modules developed.
7 educational posters developed in Hindi and English.
Multiple digital learning videos and audio-visual resources produced.
“CEO Speak” leadership interview series launched.
42 adolescent girls participated in the residential Gender Sensitization and Leadership Building training.
9 Local Resource Centres (LRCs) actively involved.
Institutional assessment visits conducted with major LRC partners.
Annual, quarterly, and semi-annual strategic review meetings organized with consortium partners.