In a significant step towards empowering communities and fostering positive change through resilience building, Caritas India, along with 16 CSO partners, came together for the Global Programme Proposal Development Workshop. Hosted at Seva Kendra, Patna, between July 31 and August 4, 2023, the workshop brought together NGO partners, esteemed donors, and dedicated management and programme staff. The event served as a pivotal platform to shape the next phase of upscaling social impact initiatives, emphasising collaboration and sustainable development.

The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India. He emphasised, “The mission of Caritas India is to serve the vulnerable and marginalised communities of our country. There is a need for unity and collective action to bring about positive change by empowering communities and reducing inequalities.” He also focused on incorporating Caritas India’s key strategic pillars into the Global Programme India proposal.

Caritas India Chairman Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura, in his keynote address, underscored the role of faith-based organisations in empowering marginalised communities (SC, ST). He emphasised the need for sustainable development practises and urged the participants to work towards climate resilience and ensuring food and nutrition security. He highlighted the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in guiding their efforts towards creating a world where no one is left behind. The keynote address resonated with the participants, inspiring them to align their actions with a vision of a better and more equitable future.

“Caritas India is reaching out to the unreached,” said Most Rev. James Shekhar, Bishop of Buxar, who was closely associated with the project and interventions. He called for a greater focus on empowering women, children, and vulnerable sections of society through education, food security, and livelihood opportunities. Bishop emphasised the significance of building strong partnerships and collaborations between government agencies, civil society organisations, and communities for holistic development.

Ms. Martina Appuhn, Network Facilitator from Caritas Germany, emphasises the precondition of partnership and informed that the next phase will focus on upscaling models and results, which must have a bigger impact on the macro-level, contributing to systematic and structural changes.

Highlighting the positive impact of the Global Programme, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura said Global Programme holds immense potential to catalyse positive change in the communities. He emphasised, “Together, we have the power to transform lives and create lasting legacies of hope and resilience.” Speaking on the sustainability of the partners, he suggested that by prioritising the sustainability of programme partners, development organisations can foster lasting change and create a legacy of positive impact that extends well beyond the life of any single programme.

The aspirations of the project are profound, seeking to impact the lives of thousands of vulnerable people across various states. Fr. Jolly conveyed, “Together we have embarked on a journey of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Our discussions and interactions have illuminated the path towards crafting impactful and innovative project proposals that have the potential to transform the lives of poor people in society.”

In conclusion, the Proposal Development Workshop witnessed a passionate commitment from all stakeholders to uplift vulnerable communities and address pressing societal challenges. With collective efforts and a strong vision, the next phase of social impact initiatives promises to usher in a wave of positive transformation, empowering lives and building a more equitable society.