Dalit Vikas Abhiyan Samiti (DVAS) founded on 18th June 1992 is working towards empowerment of marginalized communities and groups i.e Dalit’s, Women, Children and other economically and socially deprived sections of society, over the last 30 years in Bihar through addressing factors of exclusion and supporting advancement of their entitlements. The organization believes in its developmental model for increased participation of marginalized communities through various enabling strategies and thematic programmes, such as inclusive quality education, gender equality, eradication of malnutrition and hunger, mainstreaming of the homeless into health services and sustainable livelihood options. Strives towards achieving socio-economic transformation and dignified dignity through access to capacities, Skills, Knowledge and provisions. The organization believes in organic and inorganic development of an individual and community, leading to the development of internal skills and managerial capabilities through enhanced performance and development of core competencies.

30 YEARS JOURNEY OF DVAS

After 30 years of struggle and challenges on the subject of inclusive development in Bihar, DVAS has evolved into a resource agency, working with the marginalized community, the last line of the society, who has been subjected social and educational isolation. Over the years the organization has developed core competencies and intrinsic strength to address issues related to gender inequality, exclusion from education, malnutrition and hunger and exploitation. DVAS is recognized as an organization with years of experience in addressing the educational issues of Bihar especially the underprivileged Dalit and weaker sections and inclusive growth, equality of women and children.

Over a period of time the organization has been successful in developing a large cadre of volunteers engaged in mass-based sensitization of the larger community and interaction with the duty holders, freed from malnutrition and mainstreaming the out-of-school children into the mainstream of education. This, along with a culture of activism-based professionalism of key team members, has raised the organization's visibility among state agencies and community institutions.

With the experience gained the organization has been quite capable over 30 years in shifting its methodology on share: Cadre development, ideas of large community organization platforms, interaction on inclusive development. Promotion and programming of multi-stake holder engagements and access to rights and entitlements has been a key implementation strategy. The due course of intervention  has not only  strengthened direct learning through regular field action  in relation to being a learning organization but also was instrumental in synthesis of Knowledge products on inclusive development.

PROGRAM FRAMEWORK:

The organization strongly believes in a blended approach of development/ activism and struggle for development. It empowers and enables individuals especially children and women to become independent, self-reliant and financially capable. There is significant exclusion of SC/ST communities, the last line of society on all development indicators - challenges of poverty and low socio-economic status, social exclusion and discrimination. The disadvantaged communities faced social -economic – educational exclusion due to historical neglect, caste hierarchy, and low self-esteem and subjection. It becomes worse in the case of women and children from these marginalized communities who are also subjugated within their own communities.

The approach to effective empowerment is dependent on and oriented towards developing autonomous community-based organizations endowed with the necessary capabilities to realize a sense of self-determination and self-reliance. Further community based organizations have strategic networking relationships in all target areas. As a frontal organization with an aim to facilitate issue-based interventions from time to time. We educate, facilitate communities to collectivize in their struggle for their rights.

KEY STRATEGY:

DVAS methodology is one of the harmonious blends of twin approaches of activism/struggle and development adopted by the organization to achieve its goal through:

1. The path to effective empowerment is focused and oriented towards developing autonomous community-based organizations endowed with the necessary capabilities to realize a sense of self-determination and self-reliance.
2.  
3. Nurturing and supporting community based organizations to have strategic networking relationships with thematic institutions and agencies to work as per the resolutions. DVAS approaches to resolve the problems with focus on public education, Organizing and sensitizing community on developmental issues and promoting engagement and pro-activeness to claim their rights.

INTERVENTION AREA:

Dalit Vikas Abhiyan Samiti (DVAS) currently covers a total of 45,000 families in 650 villages of 85 gram panchayats in Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Banka, Jehanabad and Gaya districts of Bihar and 12,800 families in 50 urban poor and homeless areas. Including a total of 57,800 marginalized families are working with developmental, organizational and creative activities to connect them with the mainstream of the society. ,