Institutional Information
Janachetana Dalit Sangam (JDS) is one of the established organizations in Saptari district, Mahdesh province which was established in 2001 A.D (2058 B.S.) and registered as non- profit making, nonpolitical and non-governmental organization in District Administration Office Saptari district. It is also affiliated with and registered in Social Welfare Council, NGO Federation Nepal and NGO Coordination Committee. The organization has its main office in Saptari district. JDS was established under the leadership role of Madhesi Dalit with the objective of improving livelihoods, socio-economic, health and human rights situation of marginalized Dalit and other disadvantaged communities in the districts of Terai regions. The Sino boycott movement led by this organization in 2056 BS in the course of non-violent struggle for freedom, equality and social dignity is an important revolt in the social movement of Nepal.
After the Sino boycott campaign, JDS formulated a strategy to advance a united, empowered Dalit movement for the emancipation of Dalits, landless squatters, HC and women who have been marginalized politically, socially, economically and culturally from the mainstream. For their emancipation and upliftment, a strategy was formulated to establish the rights of Dalit landless in the constitution to agitate for land, citizenship, education, wage increase, inclusive democracy. Access to land, resources, where political power is exercised, proportional representation, and the constitution states that the upliftment of the Dalit landless and the poor is not possible unless the problem of the deprived Dalit HC is resolved.
From its establishment, JDS has been working on agriculture, livelihoods, energy, environment, education, right promotion, social protection, natural resources management, sanitation and health to improve health-economic status of community people especially Dalit, Muslims, Tharu, women, children, differently able persons and deprived communities by involving them in various development processes. It has adopted right base approach through social mobilization to uplift socio-economic of community people by promoting inclusive and accountable service delivery mechanisms and using local technologies to conserve and develop natural resources. JDS has been working to improve living conditions of marginalized and vulnerable former Haruwa Charuwa (former bonded labourers) communities who are mostly Terai Dalits, under the funding support of Haruwa Charuwa Empowerment project funded by Freedom Fund. JDS has been working in partnership with local government authorities, public service providers, elected representatives, civil society organizations including media, small land holder farmers’ groups, forest user groups and target communities for collective, integrated and holistic interventions for promoting inclusive and accountable governance, sustainable development and human rights.
JDS has its organization's procurement policy and procedure. JDS has procurement sub- committee which oversees the compliance of the procurement and approves as per the organizational policy.
Human Resources of JDS Currently 16 professionals are working for JDS in different projects funded by different donor agencies. JDS has GESI policy which guides to consider GESI approach while hiring/recruiting the human resources.
Experience and Strengths of JDS in Agriculture, Livelihoods, Food and Nutrition Security
JDS has been working on Agriculture, Forestry, Livelihoods and Food and Nutrition Security since its establishment. The interventions are focused on improving service delivery mechanisms and capacity of marginalized and poor families to adopt scientific and sustainable agriculture and natural resources management practices for their sustained livelihoods and improved food and nutrition security situation. JDS implemented Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security and Livelihoods project funded by National Agriculture Research and Development Fund (NARDEF)/GoN, Poverty Alleviation Program funded by Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF)/GoN and Haruwa and Charuwa Empowerment Project funded by Freedom Fund. These projects were focused on enhancing economic empowerment of rural women and marginalized fa