Thematic Areas
The nature of Vikalp’s work is primarily rights-based and community-based as accorded/enshrined in acts like Forest Rights Act 2006 and Constitutional provisions.
Natural Resource Ownership and Management
Natural resource ownership and management are vital for ensuring sustainable livelihoods, especially in marginalised communities. A rights-based approach empowers people to claim control over forests, water and land, fostering equitable access and local stewardship. By recognising traditional knowledge and promoting community-led practices, we support resilience, dignity and long-term sustainability. Our commitment strengthens the voices of those most affected, making development truly inclusive and regenerative.
Women Empowerment and Leadership Development
Women empowerment and leadership development are central to creating resilient communities. By fostering skills, confidence and opportunities, we enable women to lead change, influence policy and assert their rights. Our initiatives promote gender equity, amplify women’s voices and strengthen grassroots leadership across generations for lasting social transformation.
Capacity Building of Women and Youth
Capacity building of women and youth is central to advancing rights and resource ownership through a rights-based lens. By strengthening skills, awareness and collective action, we empower communities to form and lead sustainable enterprises. These locally rooted initiatives foster economic independence, deepen democratic engagement and reinforce policy advocacy from the grassroots. Our approach nurtures leadership, ensures equitable participation and amplifies voices often unheard—transforming resource holders into active stakeholders in shaping inclusive development.
Our prime focus is on forming and strengthening Gram Sabhas under the provision of FRA 2006 and building capacity of these gram sabhas in filing community forest rights claims. The community leaders strongly believe that recognition of their rights under FRA 2006 can change the entire scenario in these regions as there is a huge potential in seasonal forest produce and other forest resources to address the issue of food security, employment, poverty by establishing industry market linkages. Further, there is also a huge potential for integrating government programmes like MGNREGA, NRLM and ICDS leveraged through community-based organisations, which would strengthen the local economy.