BARKATULLAH UNIVERSITY

BHOPAL (MADHYA PRADESH)

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

SESSION: 2024-2025

B.A.(HONOURS) SOCIOLOGY

SEMESTER- 5th

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

FIELD SUPERVISOR AGENCY SUPERVISOR

Prof. RUCHI G. DASTIDAR Mrs. DEEPTI DIWAN

SUBMITTED BY
SHUBHI PUROHIT

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 INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTIVITY
This report has been completed as part of the paper Community Engagement in the
course B.A. (Honours) Sociology. During the preparation of this report, I had the
opportunity to work with and be a part of the organization National Institute of
Women, Child and Youth Development (NIWCYD), located in Rohit Nagar, Bhopal. The
primary focus was on the 12 No. area and the nearby slum areas near Kolar, where I
sought to gain deeper understanding of the community engagement initiatives and
assess their impact on the local residents.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT : AN INTRODUCTION

Community Engagement is the active participation of individuals and groups in a

community to solve common concerns, promote social change, and increase collective
well-being and foster collective networking. It focuses on collaboration, empowerment,
and inclusivity, ensuring that community people have a say in the decisions that affect
them. Community involvement frequently seeks to increase social capital, develop
social ties, and foster trust among people, resulting in more resilient and cohesive
communities.
Community engagement is the active participation of individuals and groups in
decision-making to address shared concerns, promote social justice, and enhance
collective well-being. It empowers people by providing the skills and resources needed
to tackle local challenges and influence change. This process fosters social justice,
amplifies minority voices, and helps reduce inequalities within communities. By
encouraging collective action, community members can collaborate to resolve issues,
lobby for change, and strengthen their social networks.
Community engagement as a formal discipline began to take shape in the 1980s and
1990s, particularly in the context of participatory development and research. This
period saw a shift towards recognizing the importance of involving local communities
in decision-making processes that directly affected them. In India, community
engagement has deep roots in cultural practices, with collective action and grassroots
mobilization being integral to social and political life. The Government of India formally
initiated community development through the Community Development Programme
(CDP) in 1952, focusing on rural communities. However, despite this emphasis on rural
areas, professionally trained social workers concentrated their practice in urban areas.
The CDP aimed to improve the living conditions of rural populations by addressing
issues such as agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure and it marked the
beginning of a more organized approach to community development in India.

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IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community engagement is essential for enhancing social, economic, and environmental
well-being. The significance of active participation can be understood through several
key aspects.
1. Strengthening Social Bonds: Community engagement is instrumental in reinforcing
social connections and fostering trust among community members. It provides a
platform for individuals from various backgrounds to interact, collaborate, and gain
mutual understanding. As people unite in pursuit of shared objectives, a sense of
belonging and collective responsibility develops, thereby enhancing community
solidarity.
2. Promoting Inclusive Involvement: Engagement initiatives ensure that every
community member, particularly those from marginalized or underrepresented groups,
has a voice in the decision-making process. This inclusivity is vital for addressing
disparities and empowering individuals who might otherwise remain voiceless in
social, political, or economic matters. By actively involving all stakeholders, community
engagement cultivates a more equitable society that values diverse perspectives.
3. Facilitating Local Development: Engaging community members in planning and
decision-making processes leads to solutions that are specifically tailored to local needs
and challenges. Communities that participate in development initiatives are more
inclined to advocate for changes that align with their priorities, resulting in more
relevant and sustainable projects. Furthermore, active participation enhances the
effective use of local resources, including labor and knowledge, thereby promoting
long-term growth and resilience.
4. Encouraging Civic Responsibility and Empowerment: Community engagement
empowers individuals by involving them directly in shaping their surroundings and
future. It fosters a sense of civic responsibility, motivating residents to take action on
issues that impact their community. Engaged citizens are more likely to champion
policies and practices that serve the common good.
5. Promotes Creative Problem-Solving and Innovation: Collaborative approaches to
problem-solving facilitate the integration of varied viewpoints, enabling the exploration
of challenges through inventive methods. When communities unite in their efforts, they
frequently produce groundbreaking solutions that may not arise from hierarchical
strategies. The collective knowledge and experiences of community members enhance
the identification of feasible solutions while also allowing for the anticipation of
potential challenges.
6. Enhances community resilience: Communities that actively engage with one another
are more equipped to confront and recover from crises, including natural disasters,
economic challenges, or social disruptions. By fostering robust networks and a spirit of
collaboration, these communities demonstrate greater adaptability and

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resourcefulness during critical times. Community involvement cultivates a shared
capacity that supports both immediate responses and sustainable recovery efforts .

PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The principles of community engagement serve as essential guidelines that promote
inclusivity, effectiveness, and sustainability within the engagement process. These
principles embody a dedication to empowering communities, encouraging
collaboration, and advancing social justice. Although the specific principles may differ
based on context and discipline, there exists a set of core principles that are broadly
recognized in the field of community engagement.
1. Inclusivity and Representation
2. Empowerment
3. Collaboration and Partnership
4. Transparency and Accountability
5. Cultural Awareness and Respect
6. Long-term Sustainability
7. Valuing Local Expertise
These principles serve as a framework for community engagement that is inclusive,
empowering, collaborative, transparent, culturally aware, and sustainable. They ensure
that engagement initiatives not only tackle immediate concerns but also contribute to
the development of stronger, more resilient communities over time.

NAME OF THE ORGANISATION

The following community engagement activities were undertaken at the National

Institute of Women, Child and Youth Development (NIWCYD), where I had the
privilege of working as an honorary intern for 120 hours as part of the prescribed
curriculum.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANISATION

The National Institute of Women, Child and Youth Development (NIWCYD) was
established in 1982 under the Gandhian vision and in 1985 under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860. It operates in Strathstra, Uttar Pradesh and the Indian territory.
Initially focusing on 14 villages in Madhya Pradesh, NIWCYD has been working for 38
years to address core development issues such as disaster management, health
promotion, community development, women empowerment, child rights, education,
water and sanitation and environmental safety. It has trained 2,000 tribal and rural
youth as Gramdoots (local volunteers) who act as village leaders, create awareness and

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connect communities to government resources. Like Home, a neonatal care programme
in Maharashtra that trains local bears to reduce maternal and infant mortality. This
approach later inspired the National ASHA Model. During the 1997 Jabalpur
earthquake, NIWCYD worked with 25 NGOs to help develop relief policies, many of
which were approved by the government of Madhya Pradesh. The project supported
the establishment of 28 self-help women's organizations in Maharashtra and Madhya
Pradesh, covering 450 villages in Madhya Pradesh, to promote economic measures for
rural women. NIWCYD also facilitated the establishment of 50 Farmer Organisations
(FPOs), benefiting approximately 50,000 small and medium farmers in these areas in
terms of improved markets and fair prices for agriculture.

CORE ISSUES BEING ADDRESSED BY THE ORGANIZATION

 Livelihood issue of the tribal and marginal farmers through Natural Resource
Management, Agriculture development ensuring women participation.
 Strengthening of Community Based Organisations and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
 Socio-Economic empowerment of the women.
 Reducing the Child Mortality and Malnutrition
 Child rights and Education
 Social security of unorganized sector
 Water, Sanitation and Health
 Skills Development for earning with dignity
 Relief and Rehabilitation during Natural Calamities and Disaster.
TARGET GROUPS
 Ethnic groups include Baigas, Gonds, Korkus, Mowasi, Madias, and Saharia.
 Farmers who are on the margin.
 Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Children of the Weakest Sections.
 Children who are delinquent, neglected, or living on the streets.
 Child labor.
 Newly born.
 Youth.
 Women.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

Introduction to NIWCYD BACHPAN initiative:

Bachpan began in 2001 as an NIWCYD child rights initiative in Madhya Pradesh's state
capital, Bhopal. Initially, the work began in ten slum habitations in Bhopal as a child
labor initiative, but in 2007, the work was expanded to ten new locations within the
Bhopal slums, and the entire project was linked to the Madhya Pradesh Education
Campaign. In 2004-05, BACHPAN expanded its scope beyond child labor to include
children living on and around railway platforms. In 2006, the project established day

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and night shelters for platform children in Katni and Bhopal. The project gradually
began advocating for residential shelter for these children.

OBJECTIVES OF THE BACHPAN INITIATIVE:

 Survival and Development: Collaborating with the ICDS (Integrated Child
Development Services) centres to expand services and training mother committees
to support child development.
 Education: Advocating for education for underserved children, including girls, waste
pickers, dropouts and those with special needs.
 Training: Conducting training on child rights and development and developing
community-based facilitators.
 Child Participation: Facilitating the Bal Panchayat model in Bhopal, with a focus on
training modules, case stories, and leadership fellowships.
 Research: Promoting child-led research to enhance learning, build knowledge, on
development issues, and amplify children’s voices on matters affecting them.
 Campaigns against Child Labour: Committed to ending child labour in all forms,
associated with the campaign since 2003. Currently holding the state secretariat for
Madhya Pradesh, supported by district-level partners. In 2019-20, developed an
election manifesto through children's participation in the Madhya Pradesh state
election.

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKE N

The following activities were undertaken during the coursework:

1. VISIT TO THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL IN KOLAR:

A visit was made to a government school in the Kolar area to assess the environment
and educate students on personal safety. During the visit, a counselling session was
conducted for the students, focusing on general awareness and personal hygiene. The
children were also taught about the concept of 'good touch and bad touch' to raise
awareness about their safety.
The primary aim of this activity was to understand the ground-level realities of
government schools. During the visit, unsanitary conditions and a poor learning
environment were identified as significant issues. These findings highlighted the
ongoing need for addressing child safety concerns and improving the overall conditions
in schools.
LEARNING: The visit highlighted the need for improved hygiene, safety, and
infrastructure in government schools. The awareness session on personal safety
highlighted the importance of educating children about their well-being in a safer
learning environment.

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2. MEETINGS ON THE ‘HOW TO ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY’
A series of meetings were organized focusing on communication and public relations,
specifically aimed at improving how we engage with children. We were informed about
the best practices for establishing trust and creating a comfortable environment where
children feel safe to communicate. The sessions emphasized building rapport with
children through age-appropriate language, active listening, and maintaining a calm
and friendly tone. We learned how to create a non-threatening space by using positive
body language and offering reassurance to help reduce anxiety. Techniques for
encouraging openness were also covered, such as asking open-ended questions and
validating children’s experiences.
Additionally, we discussed the importance of setting boundaries, respecting personal
space, and handling sensitive conversations with care. Practical advice was given on
how to approach difficult topics, like personal safety or trauma, in a compassionate and
age-appropriate way.
LEARNING: The sessions taught us how to develop trust with children using age-
appropriate language, active listening, and positive body language. We learned the
value of establishing a safe environment, asking open-ended questions, and validating
children's emotions. We also learned how to set boundaries and approach sensitive
topics, such as personal safety, with care and compassion.

3. BAL PANCHAYAT
A Bal Panchayat was organized with the aim of encouraging the active participation of
children and making them socially aware of their rights and responsibilities. The event
aimed to foster leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and a sense of civic
engagement among the children. Six posts were designated within the Panchayat, and
children were given the opportunity to contest elections for these positions. The
election process was carried out through a secret ballot, ensuring a fair and democratic
procedure. To prepare for the elections, the children were given an orientation on the
roles and responsibilities associated with each post. They were encouraged to
campaign by presenting their ideas, values, and plans to address local issues.

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The children participated in a formal voting process, casting their ballots confidentially,
just like in a real adult election, which helped them understand the value of voting and
the democratic process. After the election, the newly elected Bal Panchayat members
took on their roles and worked together to discuss issues with guidance from the
mentors. This experience not only empowered the children but also helped them
recognize the impact of their voices in shaping a better society.
LEARNING: The activity provided insights into engaging children in the democratic
process, helping them understand the value of voting and decision-making. It
highlighted the importance of fostering leadership skills and teamwork among young
participants

CANDIDATES STANDING FOR ELECTIONS ELECTED MEMBERS OF BAL PANCHAYAT

CHILDREN SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES CHILDREN SHOWING THEIR VOTE

4. COUNCELLING CAMPAIGNS
In addition to the regular visits, a series of counseling campaigns were organized
specifically for young teenage girls to raise awareness about important legal
frameworks such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and
the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. These campaigns aimed to educate
the girls about their rights, the legal protections available to them, and how to
recognize and report instances of sexual abuse or harassment. The sessions were
designed to provide a safe space for open discussions, clarify any misconceptions, and
empower the participants to protect themselves and seek help when needed. The
initiative also included interactive workshops, where experts shared practical guidance
on recognizing early signs of abuse, understanding consent, and navigating support

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systems, ensuring the girls were well-informed and confident in their ability to
safeguard their personal well-being.
LEARNING: The activities highlighted the importance of raising awareness about legal
protections like the POCSO and POSH Acts. They also emphasized creating a safe space
for open discussions, educating girls on consent, recognizing abuse, and understanding
support systems, thereby empowering them to protect themselves.

5. SESSIONS AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Sessions were conducted at primary schools focusing on child protection and child
rights, aiming to educate young students about their fundamental rights. During these
sessions, children were taught about their rights, including the right to safety, the right
to be heard, and their right to live free from exploitation and abuse. Emphasis was
placed on the importance of understanding these rights and how to protect them.
Additionally, the children were made aware of their right to education and how it
serves as the key to unlocking their potential and securing a brighter future. The
sessions also included interactive activities that encouraged children to recognize their
own worth, ask questions, and understand the importance of speaking up in case of any
violation of their rights.
LEARNING: The activity highlighted the importance of educating children about their
fundamental rights, including safety, education, and freedom from exploitation. The
activity provides insight into creating engaging, interactive sessions that empower
children to recognize their rights and speak up when violated. It also highlights the role
of education in fostering self-awareness and confidence among children,

CHILDREN ATTENDING SESSION AT SCHOOLS CHILDREN SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES

In addition to the scheduled visits and sessions, several meetings were organized to
discuss and strategize on advocacy awareness campaigns, fundraising initiatives,
resource mobilization, and community engagement. These meetings provided valuable
insights into the organization's operations and its approach to fostering community
involvement.

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 OBSERVATIONS

The initiatives across schools and communities show a strong focus on child rights,
education, and empowerment. While progress has been made in raising awareness
about issues like child safety and hygiene, significant challenges remain at the
grassroots level. Platforms like the Bal Panchayat have proven effective in empowering
children, fostering leadership, and enhancing their understanding of rights and
responsibilities.
The challenges identified, particularly unsanitary conditions and poor infrastructure in
government schools, highlight the gap between policy and reality. While awareness
campaigns are essential, they must be accompanied by continuous interventions to
improve physical spaces and address children’s basic needs and safety.
Counselling sessions and safety-focused initiatives, such as 'good touch and bad touch,'
have effectively empowered children with knowledge of their rights, but continuous
engagement is needed to ensure they have access to support systems for reporting
violations. The importance of building trust and creating safe spaces for open dialogue
was also emphasized. Engaging children with empathy and non-threatening
communication is vital for encouraging openness, especially on sensitive issues like
abuse.
Additionally, advocacy, resource mobilization, and collaboration with local
stakeholders are essential for sustaining these efforts. The overall success of these
initiatives depends on a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that involves ongoing
community collaboration to address both immediate challenges and long-term goals for
child welfare.

CONCLUSION

The initiatives focused on child rights, safety, and education have made significant
contribution in empowering children and raising awareness. However, challenges such
as inadequate infrastructure and unsanitary conditions in schools continue to persist,
highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to address both immediate and long-term
issues. Additionally, child safety and the protection of child rights remain critical areas
that must be prioritized to ensure a brighter future for children. It is especially
important to address the needs of children from marginalized communities, ensuring
that their challenges are tackled at the ground level. Only by doing so can we help them
overcome barriers and provide them with the opportunity to live a life of dignity and
opportunity.
Additionally, if people from more privileged sections of society make an effort—even in
small ways—by getting involved in and supporting their local communities, it can lead
to real, positive change. Even small contributions can make a big difference, helping to
build stronger connections and creating a more inclusive, supportive environment for
children and families who need it most.

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Name and signature of the student

Name and signature of organization’s representative

Name and signature of fieldwork coordinator

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