multi-pronged approach

IGD applies a combination of three interlinked approaches that is strengthening of knowledge resource base, citizen competence building and advocacy to contribute towards par ticipatory democracy, peace and inclusive governance. Banking upon its extensive outreach and collaborations, IGD works together with citizens primarily women, Dalit, and under privileged groups to foster and enhance their engagement for accountable and transparent governance. It also adopts strategies in enlarging the livelihood options for improving the socio economic status of the marginalized sections. At the same time, IGD promotes mediation services as mechanism for accessing justice and contributing in the process of peace building at the local level.
At micro level, IGD activities aim at creating an enabling and informed environment to bring about positive changes through collective citizen actions. They include promoting citizenship and democracy education, enhancing the self organizing capacity of citizens, encouraging participation of excluded sections for participatory and inclusive governance and empowering them to utilize local resources and capacities for their dignity and development. IGD engages in building skills and capacities of various local constituencies like citizen leaders, citizen groups, local institutions and CSOs for building a critical group and solidarity in fostering democratization and strengthening participatory governance. Moreover, at the macro level, it collaborates and works with policy leaders and institutions in cultivating appropriate institutional design supportive of participatory democracy and good governance.

major results

IGD has been actively engaged in empowering citizens and enabling them to interact with the government, promoting dialogue as a critical value and enabling tool for collaboration in resolving issues and building capacity and mechanism for peace at the local level. Key Results of the IGD actions are as follows:

• Dialogue promoted as a value and an enabling tool for resolving social , political and economic issues.
• Citizenship, democracy education conceptualized and promoted for enhancing collective civic actions.
• Collaboration between state and non- state actors and partners enhanced at the local level for conflict sensitive service delivery.
• Effective and broad based advocacy conducted in favor of democratic local governance.
• Community capacity for peaceful, harmonious and integrative society enhanced.
• Indigenous communities empowered for building linkages and demand services from state and nonstate actors.
• Inter- community dialogue fostered for respect, dignity and development.

STRATEGIC THRUST AREAS

IGD has formulated perspective plan for the upcoming years (2012-2015 AD). The key thrust areas of the plan have been as follows:

• Democratic and participatory Local governance.
• Mediation and Peace building.
• Community Empowerment and Justice.
• Constitutional governance and democratization.
• Alternative livelihood mobilization and development.

ACTION STRATEGIES

IGD adopts the following action strategies to deliver results:

• Convening forums and platforms for dialogues and advocacy engagements
• Knowledge production and systematization
• Capacity building and empowerment
• Building networks, alliances and partnerships
• Action learning and research
• Service delievery

GOVERNING BOARD

IGD is governed by a board with multidisciplinary background and expertise. The board is elected for a term of three years in the Annual General Assembly (AGM) of the members according to the provision of its statute. The board reviews IGD actions, identifies new areas of interventions and provides strategic guidance to the management.

FUND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM

IGD receives donations, grants and contributions from national and international development partners. Its expenditure process and mechanism is governed by the Financial Guidelines subject to the provisions and standards of national laws and accounting systems. It has a strong internal control system and its budget expenditure is audited annually by an independent registered auditor and submitted to the respective authorities of the government and shared with partners and stakeholders.