About
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Headquarters
Kolkata, West Bengal
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Since
2003
Organizational Overview: Dhosa Chandaneswar Bratyajana Samity (DCBS) Dhosa Chandaneswar Bratyajana Samity (DCBS) is a grassroots-level, not-for-profi Read moret development organization founded in 2003, headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. With a strong community presence across West Bengal and Bihar, DCBS is dedicated to empowering marginalized rural communities, especially women, youth, and farmers, through integrated and sustainable socio-economic development initiatives. DCBS delivers impactful programs in the areas of financial inclusion, renewable energy, water and sanitation (WASH), health services, skill development, and livelihood promotion. Our mission is to transform rural lives and livelihoods through participatory, inclusive, and sustainable approaches. Over the years, DCBS has built deep-rooted trust among the communities it serves, reaching over 2 lakh beneficiaries through a network of rural branches and local partnerships. Key Focus Areas: • Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): Constructed over 5,000 toilets and provided hygiene support to 20,000+ households. • Health Services: Delivered cervical cancer screening and general health check-ups to over 30,000 rural women and families. • Renewable Energy: Installed 1,00,000+ solar home lighting systems benefiting 30,000 households. • Skill Development & Entrepreneurship: Trained 10,000+ rural youth and women in tailoring, digital literacy, and enterprise development. • Livelihood & Financial Inclusion: Facilitated credit access and bank linkage to 50,000+ families, supporting sustainable livelihoods. • Women’s Empowerment: Promoted 200,000+ women through Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) for economic and social upliftment. • FPO Promotion & Agriculture: Supported 5,000+ small and marginal farmers through FPO formation, agri-training, and market linkages. Recent CSR Highlight: In April 2025, DCBS implemented a CSR project titled “Empowering Girls, Enhancing Education: Menstrual Hygiene and Sanitation Facilities in West Bengal Schools” supported by Narayana Health, Howrah. The initiative benefited girls in five government schools in Howrah and South 24 Parganas through menstrual hygiene awareness, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene kit distribution. Legal & Governance Details: • Registered as: Society under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 • FCRA Registered (Valid till 2027) | 12AA & 80G Certified | NGO Darpan, CSR1 Registered • Memberships: Sa-Dhan, AMFI-WB, CLEAN, GuideStar India • Website: www.dcbs.in Vision: To transform the lives and livelihoods of the rural poor by eradicating poverty through financial inclusion and sustainable development. Mission: Reaching rural people by fostering sustainable development through financial services, skill-building, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Issue
Issues Detected by the Organization (DCBS) Dhosa Chandaneswar Bratyajana Samity (DCBS) operates in deeply rural and underdeveloped areas of West Bengal and Bihar, where communities face multiple intersecting challenges. Through field engagement, baseline surveys, and participatory needs assessments, DCBS has identified the following key issues that hinder socio-economic development and well-being in these regions: 1. Lack of Access to Financial Services • Rural populations, especially women, face severe exclusion from formal banking and credit systems. • Absence of financial literacy and linkage with financial institutions limits their ability to invest in livelihoods or cope with economic shocks. 2. Poor Sanitation and Hygiene • Many villages lack household toilets and access to safe water, leading to open defecation, water-borne diseases, and poor hygiene practices. • Menstrual hygiene is a neglected issue, especially in government schools where adolescent girls face inadequate sanitation facilities. 3. Inadequate Healthcare Facilities • Primary healthcare is often unavailable or inaccessible in remote areas. • Preventive health services, including cervical cancer screening and awareness, are minimal. • Malnutrition, untreated chronic illnesses, and poor maternal and child health are common. 4. High Youth Unemployment • Rural youth, including educated youth, lack access to skill training and employment opportunities. • Migration to urban slums in search of jobs leads to social and economic vulnerabilities. 5. Limited Livelihood Opportunities • Small and marginal farmers struggle due to lack of modern farming knowledge, input support, and market access. • Artisans and rural producers are disconnected from mainstream markets and suffer from underemployment and low income. 6. Energy Poverty • Many rural households are not connected to the grid or have unreliable electricity. • Limited access to clean and affordable energy hinders education, productivity, and safety. 7. Gender-Based Inequality • Women face restricted mobility, limited control over resources, and social exclusion. • Their participation in decision-making, economic activities, and leadership remains low despite their central role in family and community welfare. 8. Climate Vulnerability and Disaster Risks • Communities in Sundarban and similar regions are prone to natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and saline water intrusion. • There is a lack of community-based disaster preparedness and risk reduction mechanisms. Organizational Response DCBS has designed its interventions in response to these core challenges, aiming to empower rural families through financial inclusion, renewable energy, WASH initiatives, health services, skill development, and sustainable agriculture. The organization adopts a holistic, gender-sensitive, and community-led approach to ensure that the root causes of poverty and exclusion are addressed sustainably.
Action
Organizational Action DCBS undertakes a broad spectrum of integrated development actions that address the multidimensional needs of rural communities. Its core actions include: 1. Financial Inclusion & Livelihood Promotion DCBS facilitates microfinance services through Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), enabling more than 50,000 rural families to access credit for agriculture, small enterprises, and allied activities. This has significantly enhanced income-generating opportunities for women and the ultra-poor. 2. Skill Development & Entrepreneurship To address unemployment among youth and women, DCBS provides vocational training in tailoring, readymade garment manufacturing, computer education, and entrepreneurship development. Over 10,000 individuals have been trained and supported with market linkage and enterprise development. 3. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) DCBS has constructed over 5,000 toilets and improved WASH practices in more than 20,000 rural households. A recent milestone project supported by Narayana Health provided menstrual hygiene education and infrastructure in government schools, benefiting adolescent girls in Howrah and South 24 Parganas. 4. Health Services and Awareness The organization delivers preventive and promotive healthcare services including cervical cancer screening, health camps, and awareness campaigns. Over 30,000 rural families have benefitted from health services aimed at improving community well-being. 5. Renewable Energy Access Through clean energy initiatives, DCBS has installed over 100,000 solar home systems, lighting up more than 30,000 rural households. It promotes solar energy products and nurtures local entrepreneurs in the green energy space. 6. Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment By promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Organic FPOs, DCBS supports over 5,000 small and marginal farmers with training, input support, and access to markets. These initiatives foster sustainable agriculture and rural food security. 7. Disaster Resilience and Community Engagement In disaster-prone regions, DCBS implements risk reduction and management programs. It actively engages communities through awareness drives, health camps, and participatory planning, fostering resilience and social capital. Each of DCBS’s actions is rooted in a deep understanding of grassroots realities, with programs tailored to the needs and aspirations of its beneficiaries. With a goal to transform 1,50,000 rural lives by 2027, DCBS continues to build sustainable communities through innovative, inclusive, and impact-driven development models.
Demographies Served
Cause Area
Impact
Impact of DCBS’s Work Since its inception in 2003, Dhosa Chandaneswar Bratyajana Samity (DCBS) has brought meaningful and measurable change to the lives of rural communities across West Bengal and Bihar. Through its integrated development initiatives, the organization has created sustainable, long-term impact in key areas such as health, sanitation, livelihood, skill development, energy access, and women’s empowerment. Below is a summary of DCBS's transformative impact: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) • Constructed over 5,000 toilets in rural households, significantly reducing open defecation and improving health outcomes. • Improved sanitation and menstrual hygiene practices for over 20,000 households and hundreds of adolescent girls through awareness campaigns and school-based interventions. • In April 2025, successfully implemented a CSR-supported project with Narayana Health, enhancing menstrual hygiene management and sanitation in five government schools, benefiting hundreds of girls and school communities. Health Services • Delivered primary healthcare and health awareness services to over 30,000 rural families, with a focus on women’s health, cervical cancer screening, and general wellness. • Organized health camps, eye check-ups, and preventive care drives in hard-to-reach areas, reducing the health burden in under-resourced communities. Renewable Energy Access • Installed more than 100,000 solar home lighting systems, providing clean and affordable energy to over 30,000 rural households. • Helped reduce dependence on kerosene, improve children's study time, and enhance household safety. Skill Development & Employment • Trained over 10,000 rural youth and women in income-generating skills such as tailoring, garment making, computer literacy, and entrepreneurship. • Supported thousands of trainees with market linkage, enterprise support, and placement opportunities, leading to improved household income and reduced migration. Agricultural Development & Farmer Support • Empowered 5,000+ small and marginal farmers through training on sustainable agriculture practices, provision of quality inputs, and promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). • Facilitated direct market linkage and collective bargaining, increasing farmers’ profitability and reducing exploitation by middlemen. Women’s Empowerment • Mobilized and supported more than 200,000 rural women through the Joint Liability Group (JLG) model, promoting financial inclusion, leadership, and decision-making in households and communities. • Enabled access to credit, skills, and self-employment for women who were previously excluded from economic opportunities. Financial Inclusion and Livelihood Support • Facilitated bank linkages for over 50,000 families, enabling them to access loans for agriculture, small businesses, and livelihood activities such as poultry, animal husbandry, and handicrafts. • Promoted savings habits and credit discipline among low-income households. Disaster Risk Reduction • Implemented disaster preparedness and risk reduction programs, benefiting over 10,000 families in disaster-prone zones like Sundarbans. • Built local capacity to cope with climate-induced disasters through training and community-based resilience strategies. Overall Reach and Impact • States Covered: West Bengal & Bihar • Districts Served: 20+ across both states • Direct Beneficiaries Impacted: Over 2.5 lakh individuals (250,000+) • Goal: Transform the lives of 1,50,000+ rural families by 2027 Through its holistic, people-centric approach, DCBS continues to be a catalyst for socio-economic transformation in some of India’s most underserved regions. Its impact demonstrates how grassroots leadership, community participation, and integrated development strategies can sustainably uplift rural lives.
Programs
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Renewable Energy Solutions
In energy-deficient rural regions, DCBS promotes clean energy solutions through solar home systems and energy access programs. This contributes to education, safety, and environmental sustainability.
• Installed 100,000+ solar home systems, impacting 30,000+ households
• Promotion of solar entrepreneurs in rural markets
• Reduced dependence on kerosene and improved study conditions for children -
Women’s Empowerment
StateAt the core of DCBS’s mission is the empowerment of rural women. Through financial inclusion, skill development, and leadership-building initiatives, women are enabled to become self-reliant and active participants in community development.
• Empowered over 200,000 rural women
• Created Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) to promote financial independence
• Women-led micro-enterprises and producer groups -
Women’s Empowerment
StateAt the core of DCBS’s mission is the empowerment of rural women. Through financial inclusion, skill development, and leadership-building initiatives, women are enabled to become self-reliant and active participants in community development.
• Empowered over 200,000 rural women
• Created Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) to promote financial independence
• Women-led micro-enterprises and producer groups -
Renewable Energy Solutions
In energy-deficient rural regions, DCBS promotes clean energy solutions through solar home systems and energy access programs. This contributes to education, safety, and environmental sustainability.
• Installed 100,000+ solar home systems, impacting 30,000+ households
• Promotion of solar entrepreneurs in rural markets
• Reduced dependence on kerosene and improved study conditions for children -
Financial Inclusion and Livelihood Promotion
StateDCBS promotes financial empowerment of rural families, particularly women, by facilitating access to microfinance and banking services. Through the Joint Liability Group (JLG) model, it helps low-income families build credit histories and avail loans for income-generating activities like farming, small businesses, animal husbandry, and handicrafts.
• Over 50,000 families linked with banks and microfinance support
• Special focus on ultra-poor households and women entrepreneurs
eholds. -
Financial Inclusion and Livelihood Promotion
StateDCBS promotes financial empowerment of rural families, particularly women, by facilitating access to microfinance and banking services. Through the Joint Liability Group (JLG) model, it helps low-income families build credit histories and avail loans for income-generating activities like farming, small businesses, animal husbandry, and handicrafts.
• Over 50,000 families linked with banks and microfinance support
• Special focus on ultra-poor households and women entrepreneurs
eholds. -
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Recognizing the need for economic self-reliance among youth and women, DCBS offers vocational and entrepreneurship training across a variety of trades. These programs equip participants with market-relevant skills and connect them to employment or self-employment opportunities.
• 10,000+ youth and women trained in tailoring, computer literacy, readymade garments, etc.
• Entrepreneurial support, including market linkage and mentorship -
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Recognizing the need for economic self-reliance among youth and women, DCBS offers vocational and entrepreneurship training across a variety of trades. These programs equip participants with market-relevant skills and connect them to employment or self-employment opportunities.
• 10,000+ youth and women trained in tailoring, computer literacy, readymade garments, etc.
• Entrepreneurial support, including market linkage and mentorship -
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
DCBS runs extensive WASH programs to improve sanitation and hygiene practices in rural communities. Through the construction of household toilets and hygiene awareness drives, it works to eliminate open defecation and waterborne diseases.
• Built 5,000+ toilets and reached 20,000+ households
• Menstrual hygiene management initiatives in rural schools
• Recent CSR-supported WASH project with Narayana Health improving girl-friendly sanitation in schools -
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
DCBS runs extensive WASH programs to improve sanitation and hygiene practices in rural communities. Through the construction of household toilets and hygiene awareness drives, it works to eliminate open defecation and waterborne diseases.
• Built 5,000+ toilets and reached 20,000+ households
• Menstrual hygiene management initiatives in rural schools
• Recent CSR-supported WASH project with Narayana Health improving girl-friendly sanitation in schools -
Health Services and Awareness
Healthcare access is a major gap in rural India, and DCBS addresses this by delivering primary healthcare and organizing health camps. Special attention is given to women's health, cervical cancer awareness, and nutrition.
• 30,000+ families benefitted through primary health services
• Camps on cervical screening, general health, and nutrition
• Regular community health awareness programs across villages -
Health Services and Awareness
Healthcare access is a major gap in rural India, and DCBS addresses this by delivering primary healthcare and organizing health camps. Special attention is given to women's health, cervical cancer awareness, and nutrition.
• 30,000+ families benefitted through primary health services
• Camps on cervical screening, general health, and nutrition
• Regular community health awareness programs across villages
Impact Metrics
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50000
Program Name
Financial Inclusion and Livelihood Promotion
Year-wise Metrics- 2023-24 2000
- 2024-25 2000
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50000
Program Name
Financial Inclusion and Livelihood Promotion
Year-wise Metrics- 2023-24 2000
- 2024-25 2000
Demographics & Structure
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No. of Employees
100+
M&E
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Internal, External Assessors
No
Policies
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Ethics and Transparency Policies
No
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Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy
No
Political & Religious Declarations
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On Affiliation if any
No
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On Deployment Bias if any
No
Registration Details
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PAN Card
AAAAD3464A
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Registration ID
S/1L/17782
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VO ID / Darpan ID
WB/2009/0001303
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80G
AAAAD3464AF2021901
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FCRA
147110807
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CSR Registration Number
CSR00001050
Location
Other Details
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Parent Organisation
NA
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Sister Organisation
Dhosa Skill Development Centre, Dhosa Retail Network Private Limited
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Type & Sub Type
Non-profit
Society