Imagine a farmer’s daughter in rural Bihar who dreams of becoming a doctor but can’t access coaching classes. Or a street vendor in Chennai who can’t read a government health scheme form. Equity in community programmes means fixing these gaps so everyone gets a fair shot. In India, where caste, gender, income, and geography often decide who gets opportunities, building inclusive programmes isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Here’s how communities, NGOs, and local governments can make their initiatives work for everyone.
Promoting equity in community programs
1. Start by listening to those left out
Equity begins with understanding who’s excluded and why. Hold meetings in local languages or use simple surveys.
- Door-to-door surveys: In slums, volunteers can ask families about barriers like transport costs or language.
- Community feedback boxes: Place these in schools or panchayat offices for anonymous suggestions.
- Focus groups: Talk to women, elderly, or disabled individuals separately to uncover hidden challenges.
2. Involve marginalised groups in planning
Include women, Dalits, tribal communities, and people with disabilities in decision-making. Some panchayats reserve around 30% of seats in their education committee for parents from SC/ST families. Their inputs help redesign midday meals to include regional staples.
- Reserved seats: Ensure committees have quotas for marginalised groups.
- Skill-building workshops: Train representatives to voice concerns confidently.
- Childcare support: Provide crèches so women can attend meetings.
3. Make resources accessible to all
- Language: Offer forms and info in regional languages. Some health teams use pictorial instructions for illiterate mothers.
- Physical access: Add ramps, sign language interpreters, or flexible timings.
- Cost: Sliding fee scales or free services for low-income groups.
4. Partner with local champions
Work with trusted figures like teachers, ASHA workers, or religious leaders.
- Youth ambassadors: Train college students to mentor teens from their communities.
- Local influencers: Partner with folk singers or street artists to spread awareness.
- Retirees: Engage ex-teachers or doctors to volunteer in health camps.
5. Use tech to bridge gaps
- Free helplines: Some NGOs in India run toll-free numbers explaining farm subsidies in local languages.
- Community radio: Tribal areas in certain states use radio shows to share weather alerts and rights awareness.
- Apps with offline features: Apps can help illiterate miners report safety issues via voice notes.
Tech tip: Use WhatsApp broadcast lists to share updates with migrant workers.
6. Train staff to tackle biases
Conduct workshops to address caste, gender, or disability prejudices.
- Real-life scenarios: Discuss true cases to raise awareness.
- Guest speakers: Invite marginalised individuals to share their experiences.
- Bias scorecards: Rate programmes on inclusivity and share results publicly.
7. Track who benefits – and who doesn’t
Collect data on caste, gender, income, and location.
- Simple surveys: Use symbols (e.g., ₹ for income brackets) for low-literacy groups.
- Tech tools: Free apps like KoBoToolbox help collect field data offline.
- Public dashboards: Display progress in village squares to build accountability.
8. Build flexible programmes
One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. A tailoring course can flop until they allow women to bring children. After adding a play corner, attendance can soar.
- Adapt timings: Offer night classes for daily wage workers.
- Modular content: Let learners pick topics (e.g., basic maths or advanced sewing).
- Feedback loops: Adjust programmes monthly based on participant input.
Funding equity through NBFCs
Government grants often come late or skip small towns. Non-banking financial companies offer quick loans for community projects. This allows groups to finance equipment like sewing machines to empower women in the community. People can pay back the amount in convenient and nominal instalments, thus affording items without breaking the bank.
Online platforms boost reach
Online platforms help marginalised artisans sell products nationwide. For example, a bamboo craft collective can double sales after listing on a national platform. These products can be purchased by people across the nation, letting artisans benefit from enhanced exposure to make a decent profit.
What you can do to start today
- Map excluded groups using census data or school records.
- Partner with one local leader to co-design a small programme.
- Pilot, learn, and adjust – equity is a journey, not a checkbox.
- Share success stories to inspire others. WhatsApp groups for SHGs in some states share weekly equity wins.
Final thoughts
Promoting equity isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about asking, “Who can’t access this?” and fixing those barriers. With NBFCs easing funding crunches and online marketplaces amplifying voices, even small changes can create big ripples. As the adage goes, when you lift those at the back, the whole boat moves faster. Start with one step—train a volunteer, adjust a form, or listen to an ignored voice. This will ultimately lead to the betterment of individuals within the entire community.
