Gramarthan: Village Empowerment and Sarpanch Parishad

Domain: Sustainable Village DevelopmentProject Name: Gramarthan: Village Empowerment and Sarpanch Inception: 2019

Under the Village Development domain, Deepastambha Charitable Trust runs Village Empowerment and Sarpanch Parishad—a grassroots capacity-building initiative. The project strengthens village leadership and creates sustainable livelihoods for women, farmers, and youth.

By bringing Sarpanchs and Gram Panchayat members together through the Sarpanch Parishad platform, village leaders learn from experts, explore government schemes, and use satellite mapping for better village planning (GPDP). Alongside leadership training, the project supports local livelihoods through women’s entrepreneurship, small business micro-finance, and allied farming activities like beekeeping.

Village Empowerment and Sarpanch Parishad

SDG Mapping

  • SDG 1: No Poverty (Higher household income through small village enterprises)
  • SDG 5: Gender Equality (Skill training and business opportunities for rural women)
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (Local jobs and self-employment)
  • SDG 16: Strong Institutions (Better planning and leadership in Gram Panchayats)
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (Connecting village leaders with experts and government schemes)

Highlights and Key Achievements

  • 100+ Villages Reached: Across rural Maharashtra with leadership and livelihood programs.
  • 5,000+ People Engaged: Including Sarpanchs, Gram Sevaks, women, and farmers.
  • 10 Sarpanch Parishads Organized: State-level forums connecting village heads for shared learning.
  • Tech-Enabled Village Planning: Local leaders trained to use satellite maps for planning village resources.
  • Livelihood and Enterprise Support: Women trained in business, farmers trained in beekeeping, and micro-finance provided to start small village enterprises.

Various Initiatives : Impact Created

  • Sarpanch Parishad and Leadership Training:Impact: Helps Sarpanchs and local leaders make informed decisions, understand government schemes, and learn from other successful villages.
  • Satellite Mapping for Village Planning:Impact: Trains Gram Panchayat teams to use satellite tools to plan water, roads, and village development accurately.
  • Women’s Skill and Business Training:Impact: Helps rural women start small income-generating activities and gain financial independence.
  • Farmer Livelihood Support:Impact: Teaches supplementary activities like beekeeping to give farming families additional, stable income.
  • Micro-Financing Support:Impact: Helps individuals access small seed funds to turn practical skills into operating village businesses.

Geography

  • Focal State: Maharashtra (covering 100+ villages).
  • Key Talukas Covered:
    • Kolhapur: Shirol
    • Sangli: Khanapur, Kadegaon (Kadepur), Kavathe Mahankal, Jat, Walawa, Shirala
    • Pune: Baramati, Junnar (Yenere), Purandar
    • Satara: Satara, Wai, Panchgani

Why With Us?

  • Combines Leadership with Livelihoods: Strengthens both the village administration and household incomes.
  • Simple, Practical Technology: Makes satellite data easy for Gram Panchayats to use for real planning.
  • Peer Learning for Leaders: Connects Sarpanchs across districts so they can replicate proven ideas.
  • End-to-End Enterprise Support: Pairs training with micro-financing so new businesses can actually start.
  • CSR-Ready: Clear goals, transparent reporting, and measurable ground impact.

Testimonials

“Sarpanch Parishad helped us understand government schemes, water management, and satellite-based village planning. Interacting with other Sarpanchs gave us practical solutions to common challenges. Deepastambha is building real confidence and capacity in village leadership.”

Mr. Anil Bhujbal, Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat Yenere, Tal. Junnar, Dist. Pune

“The training on satellite maps helped our Gram Panchayat plan development based on actual ground needs. Their livelihood programs have opened practical earning opportunities for our women and farmers, helping our village become self-reliant.”

Mr. Jayant Bhise, Gram Vikas Adhikari, Village Dhom Punarvasan, Tal. Wai, Dist. Satara

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