SPANDANA is a committed and well reputed organization working for the socio-economic development of the poor and under privileged sections in the society, ever since its inception. SPANDANA was founded in 1995. Registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, SPANDANA works with rural, urban, Dalit and tribal communities mainly with children, adolescent girls and women labourers & farmers in Belagavi, & North Karnataka districts of Karnataka, who are deprived of basic human needs including health and education facilities.
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Ms. V. Susheela founded the organisation, as an expression of her concern, commitment, and previous experience. The organisation has worked on the issues of child rights, Child Marriage, child labour, child trafficking free, empowerment of adolescent girls’ rights, campaign against Sexual abuse, socio-economic-political empowerment of women and backward communities, Violence Against Women and Sustainable livelihood. It is active both in its grass root work and leading state level campaign work. SPANDANA’s services are rendered to all needy communities and families irrespective of caste, creed, race, gender and age. SPANDANA is a social impact organization with a focus on Women’s leadership in rural governance, equitable development opportunities for the most vulnerable communities and facilitating vibrant rural livelihoods in Karnataka.
Our Story
Since its inception in 1995, SPANDANA has been a dedicated and reputable organization focused on the socio-economic development of the poor and underprivileged sections of society. Registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, SPANDANA works with rural, urban, Dalit, and tribal communities, particularly children, adolescent girls, women laborers, and farmers in Belagavi and North Karnataka districts. These communities often lack access to basic human needs, including health and education.
Founded by Ms. V. Susheela, whose concern, commitment, and experience inspired the creation of the organization, SPANDANA has addressed critical issues such as child rights, child marriage, child labor, and child trafficking. The organization also empowers adolescent girls, campaigns against sexual abuse, and works towards the socio-economic and political empowerment of women and backward communities. Additionally, SPANDANA is actively involved in efforts to combat violence against women and promote sustainable livelihoods.
SPANDANA is recognized for its grassroots efforts and its leadership in state-level campaigns. The organization’s services are inclusive, benefiting all needy communities and families regardless of caste, creed, race, gender, or age. SPANDANA is a social impact organization with a focus on women’s leadership in rural governance, equitable development opportunities for the most vulnerable communities, and fostering vibrant rural livelihoods in Karnataka.
Mission
- To empower the socially and economically weaker sections of the society, especially women, children, aged and disabled, through promote the leadership and participation to create equitable developmental opportunities.
- To build women leadership to promote social transformation and sustainable development in rural areas.
- To strengthen the agency of women and create opportunities for them to participate in decision-making processes and address the needs and concerns of marginalized communities.
To work towards promoting sustainable livelihoods in rural areas
Vision
“Empowering Women, Enriching Communities, Building an Equitable and Vibrant Future:”
Values: SPANDANA, a social impact organization committed for its core values of:
- Empowerment
- Equity
- Sustainability
- Community Participation
- Social Justice
- Transparency
Our Aim
To bring dignity and well-being into the lives of the most vulnerable communities. The aims of the SPANDANA encompass organizing socio-economically disadvantaged communities around the issues related to increasing income, improving access to education, and training in Human Resources Development with a special focus towards gender equity, protection and promotion of child rights and promotion of Environment up-gradation.
Brief History of the Organization
SPANDANA, a voluntary organization, was founded in 1995 and registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, in the office of the District Registrar, Belgaum. The founders, coming from diverse fields such as medicine, education, social work, activism, and law, shared a vision to support marginalized women in participating in their own development and asserting their rights through organization and Human Resources Development training.
Since its inception, SPANDANA has been working with subaltern and vulnerable communities, particularly Scheduled Castes and Tribes, in selected villages and slums of the Belgaum district in Karnataka. The organization’s overarching goal is to ensure social justice and dignity, with a vision of equality, social justice, and the restoration of human values for a fearless, dignified, and peaceful life. Its mission is to empower people for self-reliant and sustainable economic development, thereby ensuring social justice and dignity.
SPANDANA works with rural, urban, Dalit, and tribal communities, focusing primarily on children, adolescent girls, women laborers, and farmers in Belagavi and North Karnataka districts. These groups are often deprived of basic human needs, including health and education facilities. The organization has addressed issues such as child rights, child marriage, child labor, and child trafficking, and it has empowered adolescent girls and campaigned against sexual abuse. Additionally, SPANDANA works towards the socio-economic and political empowerment of women and backward communities, combats violence against women, and promotes sustainable livelihoods.
SPANDANA is active in both grassroots work and leading state-level campaigns. Through years of work with deprived and marginalized communities, the organization has recognized that deprivation of basic needs and a lack of an enabling social atmosphere push these communities into lives of backwardness and acute poverty. This dismal situation reflects an unequal and unjust societal structure, indicating a crisis in the current social, political, economic, and cultural systems, which have failed to ensure equity and social justice for all citizens without discrimination. Therefore, the fundamental issue SPANDANA addresses is empowering people to re-establish control over natural resources such as land, water, and other means of production to secure their just share in society.
Our Programmes
Women Empowerment
Protection & Promotion of Child Rights
Empowering 15,000 women in Belgaum and Hukkeri taluks through leadership development, financial support, and advocacy. Promoting gender equity and sustainable livelihoods to uplift marginalized women.
Safeguarding the rights of 25,000 children in Belgaum and Hukkeri taluks by preventing child marriage, trafficking, and labor. Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every child
Strengthening of Elected Women Representatives in Grama Panchayat
Strengthening of Grassroots Governance System
Empowering 250 elected women representatives in Belgaum and Hukkeri Taluka to effectively participate in local governance. Enhancing their leadership skills to better serve a population of 15,000.
Enhancing the capacity of 200 GP members and 1,600 families in Belgaum taluk for effective grassroots governance. Benefiting a community of 25,000 people through improved local administration.
3 ZERO Programme Awareness on Carbon Emission
Covid Vaccination Project
Raising environmental awareness among 500 club member children and 4,000 students from 13 government schools in Belgaum and Hukkeri taluks. Promoting sustainable practices to reduce carbon emissions
Facilitating Covid-19 vaccination for 60,000 individuals in Belgaum and Hukkeri Taluka through 12 PHCs. Ensuring widespread immunization to protect public health in vulnerable communities
Enhancing Capacity and Resilience of the Vulnerable Worker Community
Rape Free India Campaign
Supporting 3,500 female sex workers in Belgaum and surrounding areas to counter threats to their dignity and rights. Preventing trafficking and promoting social inclusion and empowerment.
Collaborating with NGO and CBO networks across 30 districts of Karnataka to end sexual violence. Raising awareness and mobilizing community participation for a safer, rape-free India.
Child Trafficking Free India
Partnering with NGO and CBO networks in 10 districts of Karnataka to combat child trafficking. Implementing prevention strategies and providing support to affected children and families.
Key Milestones of Our Organization
Registered under Karnataka Society Act 1960.
Got registered under 12A and 80g of Income Tax Act, 1961
The Union Home Ministry has approved registration under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
Women Empowerment project Started for 9 years, supported by the Andheri Hilfe Bonn, Germany.
PEARL project Sanctioned for 4 years on sustainable livelihood from IGSSS in 9 GP for 1000 families.
Child marriage prevention project Sanctioned for 6 years from AEI Luxemburg through TDH Germany in 25 GP.
Strengthening of Elected
Women Representatives in 30
Gram Panchayats project
supported by The Hunger
Project India.
Enrolled with Dhwani Foundation’s Organization change management program – Niranthara Sahayak
Strengthening Grass Root Governance in 8 Gram Panchayats project supported by APF for 3 years.
Impact Highlights
Empowered Dalit and other backward communities and women in 50 villages across two taluks of Belagavi.
Established and strengthened 500 self-help groups
Provided financial support to 3,000 women, amounting to ₹15 crore, with an additional ₹25 crore in loans sanctioned.
Offered leadership growth opportunities to 5,000 women.
Educated 5,000 women and men on gender roles and legal rights.
Increased awareness and accessibility of governmental social security and financial facilities for 15,000 families.
Additional Initiatives
Prevented violence against women through over 250 centers.
Ensured the right to food, employment, and management of community resources for 12,000 families.
Intervened and testified in court for over 30 child-related cases.
Trained and coordinated with government departments for 1,500 people.
Established a cooperative society for the economic and social advancement of 1,500 rural women.
Provided continuous support and knowledge for organic farming to 2,000 farmers.
Promoted collective empowerment and sustainability through a union of two women’s groups.
Held Gram Sabhas in 30 Gram Panchayats to address issues and raise legal awareness.
Organized laborers, provided legal awareness, and guaranteed 100 days of work per year for 5,000 families under the employment guarantee scheme.
Rescued two minor girls being trafficked to Rajasthan, leading to life imprisonment and fines for the offenders. Conducted the first intervention against child marriage in the district. Rescued over 200 bonded laborers and nine child laborers from sugarcane cutting in Madhya Pradesh, securing minimum wage enforcement. Rescued two minors and seven bonded laborers from a borewell operation in Chhattisgarh, resulting in immediate compensation and wage payments.
Formed 50 children’s groups, empowered communities, and raised awareness among government officials, police, elected representatives, and religious leaders about children’s laws.
Prevented 2,000 child marriages and combated trafficking of women and children. Raised awareness among over 15,000 intermediaries and reintegrated over 100 school dropouts back into education.
Engaged 500 members of 100 children’s clubs in campaigns to reduce plastic use, conserve soil, plant trees, preserve water, and manage waste in school premises, addressing nine key issues
Funds Allocated
Waste management and environmental initiatives for one club with five student members. Activities include waste management, plantation drives, soil and water conservation, and kitchen gardening.
Legal support and victim assistance, covering counselor fees, court charges, and victim expenses.
Organic farming and fertilizer distribution.covering the cost per bag to mativate farmers.
Embroidery equipment for one child, including the cost of one embroidery machine.