Agenda 2030

Since 1989, AJSA continues to be a leading organization addressing the root causes of extreme poverty through its holistic, community-driven approach to Sustainable Development. AJSA specializes in the design, development, and implementation of Sustainable Development solutions on behalf of our multitude of partners and government agencies in the quest to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AJSA projects/services/initiatives are strategically planned, designed, implemented, and monitored with attention to scientific accuracy. It is a priority that- our activities include the input of the communities we serve, as well as local and national level governance institutions to help bring forth a sustainable, greener, and inclusive India.

AJSA has been leading the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through different development endeavors, we are also committed to each of our projects and programs contributing to economic growth, climate resilience, and reducing inequality through innovative science and technology, to benefit the communities. AJSA has been also facilitating various action-oriented efforts for the SDGs, continuing with our successes in incubating high-impact, low-cost initiatives, advising on policies and strategies, mobilizing multi-stakeholder networks and raising awareness of the Goals.

AJSA is dedicated to making the world a better place by actively contributing to the achievement of global goals set for 2030. Through our programs, we directly contribute to progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals, help fulfill the targets of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), and mobilize community voices and action to reach the 2-degree goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

ACHIEVING AGENDA 2030 IN INDIA

Leaving No One Behind

AJSAs Strategic Plan 2022-2027 is responsive to the diversity of geography it serves. This diversity is mainly reflected in 5 thematic development contexts: livelihood security, quality education, good health& well-being, Gender Equality, and climate resilience.

• Deep understanding of development disparity in the Indian context.
• Potentiality to bring together the Government and other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate Value Chains, inclusive growth, embodiment ESG and strengthened public service delivery.
• Sharp, actionable insights curated to build capacities of Civil society, government, and private sector.

GOAL 1

NO POVERTY

END POVERTY IN ALL ITS FORMS EVERYWHERE

Eradicating poverty is not a task of charity, it’s an act of justice and the key to unlocking an enormous human potential. Still, nearly half of the world’s population lives in poverty, and lack of food and clean water is killing thousands every single day of the year.

One in five people in developing countries live on less than 1$ a day. Millions of others live on only slightly more and are at risk of slipping back into extreme poverty. Poor health and lack of access to education both result from poverty and help perpetuate it. Conflicts and disasters also contributed to these dire circumstances, undermining social and economic stability.

AJSA acts to end poverty through programs aimed at livelihood security, decent work and economic autonomy. Providing training and practical skills to empower vulnerable communities economically, the programs give them a voice. We also ensure their equal access to essential services, control over land and other property, inheritance, natural resources and financial services.

GOAL 2

ZERO HUNGER

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Hunger is the leading cause of death in the world. Our planet has provided us with tremendous resources, but unequal access and inefficient handling leaves millions of people malnourished. In 2020, between 720 million and 811 million persons worldwide were suffering from hunger, roughly 161 million more than in 2019. Also in 2020, a staggering 2.4 billion people, or above 30 per cent of the world’s population, were moderately or severely food-insecure, lacking regular access to adequate food. The figure increased by nearly 320 million people in just one year. Globally, 149.2 million children under 5 years of age, or 22.0 per cent, were suffering from stunting (low height for their age) in 2020, a decrease from 24.4 per cent in 2015. Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022

The number of people going hungry and suffering from food insecurity had been gradually rising between 2014 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out more than four years of progress on poverty eradication and pushed 93 million more people into extreme poverty in 2020. The COVID-19 crisis has pushed those rising rates even higher and has also exacerbated all forms of malnutrition, particularly in children.

AJSA acts to address hunger and poverty-related issues through different food security and food sovereignty programs, as the cornerstones of food production and utilization. This is often through advancing Sustainable Agriculture& climate-smart agricultural practices, fair distribution systems, creation of sustainable mechanisms i.e promotion of grain banks to address money lenders’ exploitation & perpetual hunger, promotion of Nutri gardens etc. We help rural women access and control productive resources to increase their income security and sustain higher agricultural productivity by mobilising them in agriculture producer groups, Self-help groups and ecopreneurs.

GOAL 3

GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT ALL AGES.

Achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, reducing global maternal death rates, and ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 are the primary objectives of this goal.

Impoverished women suffer disproportionately from unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion, maternal death and disability, sexually transmitted infections and related problems. Young people are also extremely vulnerable, facing high HIV rates as well as barriers to reproductive health information and care.

Our programs ensure access to proven nutrition solutions for underserved communities everywhere. AJSA has been also promoting sexual and reproductive health, including family planning, comprehensive sexuality education and maternal health services and ensuring communities access to health care services in the remotest regions in India. We work with key stakeholders to strengthen health systems, including through the training of midwives/ASHA/AWW workers, who when properly trained – could avert two-thirds of maternal and neonatal deaths.

GOAL 4

QUALITY EDUCATION

ENSURE INCLUSIVE AND QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL AND PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING.

Some 103 million young people around the world lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60 per cent of them are women. This goal calls for inclusive and quality education for all and promotes lifelong learning Having healthy, educated, employed and empowered young people improves not only their individual prospects, but the prospects of their community.

Access to education is one of the most important indicators that contribute to human development. With many rural folks stuck in the cycle of poverty, education often becomes the least priority. In order to support the family income, many children are forced to get involved in their parent’s livelihood who often migrate as labour in search of work. Every such drop-out is an opportunity lost. Even if they were to complete schooling, they would be completely unprepared for any kind for subsequent career opportunities due to the poor quality of education and they can only work somewhere with meagre pay.

Since its inception, AJSA has been working on RTE issues in remote areas of Odisha. Education should be the right and not a luxury that prepares one for life. With the majority of tribal families struggling to make their ends meet, they have no choice but to engage their children in work to support their households. We at AJSA, work with such families and strongly believe in the power of education which will help them to break through the vicious cycle of poverty. With multiple violations of children’s rights in Odisha and threat to migration and trafficking our Bridge School and Children’s Learning and Development Center (CLDC) programme attempts to maximize accessibility to high quality education and transform the lives of children.

GOAL 5

GENDER EQUALITY

ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS.

Women are more likely than men to be impoverished, deprived of education and opportunities, and victimized by sexual and domestic violence. This goal calls for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls, all forms of gender-based discrimination, and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation. It also calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

AJSA has been at the forefront of efforts to support women’s rights, empowerment, and gender equality by mainstreaming gender through the integration of gender equality perspective in all its programs and interventions. Few of the same are working around self-help groups, women federations, leadership development, entrepreneurship building, and education in its innovative movement “Adarsh Gram Gathan Abhiyan”.

GOAL 6

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

ENSURE ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION FOR ALL.

The global water crisis undermines our ability to produce food, protect livelihoods, and build strong economies. This crisis is accelerating with water demand expected to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030.

Each year, many people die or are sickened from diseases associated with poor water, sanitation and hygiene. These needs intensify in emergencies, where the specific hygiene needs of women and girls are often overlooked.

To ensure access to safe clean water and sanitation AJSA Works with Village water sanitation committees, women Self-help groups, adolescent girls to provide clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and training and capacity-building activities on Water Sanitation and Hygiene. In the wake of an emergency AJSA distributes ‘dignity kits” filled with vital necessities such as menstrual pads, soap, and underwear to help women and girls maintain their health, hygiene and sense of dignity. AJSA also motivates and mobilizes communities to build their own water and sanitation systems, by availing different schemes of Government.

GOAL 7

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE SUSTAINABLE AND MODERN ENERGY FOR ALL.

Renewable energy solutions are becoming cheaper, more reliable and more efficient every day.Our current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and harmful to the planet, which is why we have to change the way we produce and consume energy.

AJSA acts to extend energy access to tribal communities by promoting various renewable energy solutions i.e. solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, and bioenergy. For sustainable transformation of agri-food systems, AJSA is widening access to clean energy and establishing an effective agri-food value chain to ensure increased production and reduce food losses, and livelihood security.

GOAL 8

DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

PROMOTE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH, EMPLOYMENT AND DECENT WORK FOR ALL.

Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. Despite there being more young people in the world than ever before, this group often struggle from a lack of decent work opportunities and insufficient investments. Coupled with declining fertility rates in many parts of the world, many developing countries have a rare opportunity to recognize a demographic dividend a boost in economic productivity that occurs when there are growing numbers of people in the Workforce relative to the number of dependents.

Through different development interventions, AJSA has been ensuring the successful implementation of Government programs meant for the emollition of poverty and economic stability as well as encouraging decent employment, investing in education, and ensuring access to adequate nutrition and health services. AJSA is working with policymakers to encourage policies that can help realize a demographic dividend.

GOAL 10

REDUCED INEQUALITIES

REDUCE INEQUALITY WITHIN AND AMONG COUNTRIES.

Economic growth will not be sufficient to reduce poverty if it is not inclusive. Yet by some measures, inequality is growing, and there remain large disparities in people’s access to health and education services.

AJSA works to reach marginalized people and communities, especially those who have been left behind by economic growth and development. This includes vulnerable women and girls and those living with disabilities. AJSAs efforts include mobilizing communities to exercise their rights, extending health services to those out of reach, supporting programs that promote gender equality and advocating for an end to gender-based discrimination and violence.

GOAL 11

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

MAKE CITIES INCLUSIVE, SAFE, RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE.

More than half of the global population lives in cities, and the number of urban residents continues to grow Cities offer the promise of education, jobs, health and social services, yet too many people are unable to access these benefits. Many urban residents live in slums and contend with extreme poverty and exclusion.

AJSA works with partners to promote inclusive urbanization, including by improving access to health care and opportunities in urban slums. AJSA also advocates for the welfare and sustainability of urbanizing communities and helps gather data about their needs

GOAL 13

CLIMATE ACTION

TAKE URGENT ACTION TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS.

Climate change affects every country in the world from extreme weather events and changing weather patterns to the rising sea level and disrupted national economies. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

AJSA is having over 34 years of rich experience and professional expertise in different Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation activities. AJSAs expertise includes – Climate Risk Governance, HRVCA analysis, PRA exercise, Eco System management, preservation and restoration of biodiversity, Promotion of Disaster resilient sustainable livelihood models, climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation, Promotion of low carbon technologies, promotion of climate resilient livelihood varieties etc.

Through its presence and development interventions the organization has been able to get remarkable commendation from the local public for its great contribution in Climate Change, Bio diversity, climate smart agriculture and Natural Resource Management related interventions.

GOAL 14

LIFE BELOW WATER

CONSERVE AND SUSTAINABLY USE THE OCEANS, SEAS AND MARINE RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

The ocean drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.

Saving our ocean must remain a priority. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Marine protected areas need to be effectively managed and well-resourced and regulations need to be put in place to reduce overfishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification.

AJSA works with coastal communities to promote ocean-based livelihoods and to lead sustainable development efforts. The organization has been also Strengthening of Ecological infrastructure to buffer against climate-induced hazards, supporting climate-resilient coastal livelihoods, and enhancing climate-risk-informed cross-sectoral planning and governance of the coastal zone in Convergence with the Government. AJSA has been playing a pivotal role in classified as “vulnerable”, the Pacific Ridley Sea turtle, more popularly known as the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), inhabits tropical and warm waters of the Bay of bengal regions through its BoB Turtle Conservation Program to protect turtle breeding sites on beaches.

GOAL 15

LIFE ON LAND

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Around the world, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods, yet forests are being felled at an astonishing rate. Between 2010 and 2016, 3.3 million hectares were lost, often for profits that bypassed local communities. 3.3 million. the hectares of forest areas the world lost between 2000 and 2015. rural women are particularly affected by this depletion.

Women, especially poor and rural women, often rely on forests for fuel, fodder and food. For some, deforestation means spending more time each day traveling long distances to meet their needs. Their limited land holdings reduce their ability to adapt to loss and make land use decisions. Some have extensive knowledge of traditional practices that are inherently sustainable, but this is often left out of decisions about sustainable ecosystems. To address these challenges AJSA works with indegenious tribal communities and promoting community forestry to ensure their effective and judicious use of Water, Land and Forest resources. As of now 16,454 Hectares of Forest Land has been protected by Communities protected by 64 Women Led Forest Protection Committees. To revitalize the pesticide Free movement AJSA has been also promoting Organic Farming widely in all operational areas.

GOAL 16

PEACE AND JUSTICE STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Justice and the rule of law are essential for development. Yet for too many people, justice is out of reach. This is especially true in emergency situations, where people’s vulnerability too Violence including sexual violence increases. AJSA helps to strengthen policies and services for survivors of violence. For instance, AJSA works with police and Red Cross Family counselling centres to strengthen services for survivors of gender-based violence and to improve women’s and girls access to justice.

AJSA advances peace and inclusion by backing the engagement of women in different aspects of peace processes. AJSA supports women to lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems at various levels. Programs assist with the gender-responsive reform of justice and security institutions and the provision of public services that fully meet women’s needs.

GOAL 17

PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Achieving these 17 Global Goals will require partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society. These partnerships must be built on a shared vision and understanding of the world. This final goal calls for increasing “the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data”.

AJSA plays a key role in supporting censuses, demographic and health surveys, social audits and other large-scale data-gathering exercises, and provides technical support for the analysis and dissemination of the information generated.