Functional Gram Sabba (GS) and Community Based Organization (CBOs) are the keys to village development through systematic village development plan and convergence of Government Social entitlements and welfare schemes.

Caritas Australia visited Caritas India Cluster Program -Gram Nirman in Jharkhand from 15^th to 17^th October 2019 to understand and witness the program outcomes. The Group Discussions and interaction with individual stakeholders in-line with the three key program outcomes helped to review the progress of the program village.

The program has made good impact in achieving its objectives, the 60% percent of the entitlements have been taped and received through the functional GS and CBOs, farmers have adopted the on-farm and off-farm activities and increased up to 30% of their income and the most marginalized section (Widow, PLWDS, Old Age etc.) of the community have been recognized in the community.

The functional GS and CBOs are active and able to address the need of the individuals, groups and the community in achieving short-term and long-term goals through the holistic approach. It focuses on the social and economic aspects of the development of the community. These CBOs have an inclusive and collective approach to community development.

Secondly, farmers have adopted the on-farm and off-farm activities and increased up to 35% of their income. In on-farm the 40% of the farmers of two program villages have adopted organic farming (Cash Crop) and contributing to manage the ecosystem of the environment and also preserving the indigenous seeds; millets, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables that was witnessed during the CA visit to two villages of the Gram Nirman program.

The most vulnerable sections (Widow, PLWDS, Old Age, Landless etc.) of the community are one of key stakeholders of the Gram Nirman program. The program has made remarkable changes with lifestyle of the vulnerable sections of community. Today these stakeholders have been organized in the groups and able to approach to the respective departments for their social entitlements and security schemes. The particular sections have initiated the income generation activities; petty business and livestock keeping as an income generation activity to secure their life. By doing these they have been recognized by society.

The program focusing on empowering the CBOs for good governance to manage community-level available resources, avail economic and social entitlements. The program also witnessed the income increased by 30% through on-farm & off-farm activities and the most vulnerable sections of the community have been recognized in the community through the initiation and adoption of the income generation activities.