Centre For Civil Society

The livelihood initiative aims to empower the rural and urban poor by promoting livelihood freedom and skill development for underprivileged youth. It advocates for policies that enhance ease of doing business, eliminate barriers to market entry and exit, and support small entrepreneurs such as street vendors, cycle rickshaw pullers, small shop owners, and farmers. The initiative also focuses on sectors like Fisheries, Agriculture, and MSMEs, working to remove regulatory obstacles that hinder individual prosperity. Additionally, the initiative embraces a Terracotta Environmentalism approach, which emphasizes aligning incentives and involving local communities and market-based instruments for environmental protection and conservation.

Project Umang seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of blended learning and school leadership interventions in improving student learning outcomes. It specifically targets low-income private schools, which have emerged to meet the educational needs of underprivileged households. By enhancing the capacities of students, teachers, and principals, the project aims to enhance overall school quality. The programme focuses on two key aspects: Blended Learning and School Leadership Training, offering support for quality improvement in these schools.

In 2014, the Centre for Civil Society(CCS) launched the 'Repeal of 100 Laws' Project to identify laws that could be abolished for three specific reasons. These include laws that are redundant, laws that have become obsolete in light of new legislation, and laws that hinder development, governance, and individual freedom. The project aims to streamline the legal framework by eliminating unnecessary and restrictive laws that no longer serve their intended purpose.

The education initiative focuses on promoting school choice and quality education for all in India. It aims to reform education policy to cater to individual student needs and empower parents to make decisions regarding their child's education, whether it be public, high-fee private, or Budget Private Schools (BPS). Through research, pilot projects, and outreach, the initiative engages with policy and opinion leaders to reshape the education landscape. Specific programmes include Bolo English, which equips low-income children with spoken English skills, and the Science & Technology Policy vertical, dedicated to transformative change in the field. The Dharampal Fellowship empowers low-income private school teachers through training and networking opportunities.

The governance initiative emphasizes the importance of the rule of law in safeguarding individual freedoms. Its objective is to align laws with public opinion, protect individual rights, reward positive behaviour, and optimize resource allocation. The initiative strives to identify and address unjust, outdated, and conflicting laws that hinder choice and growth. Programmes within the initiative include efforts to improve the quality of laws, enhance healthcare accessibility through mobile health solutions, and create a business-friendly environment through streamlined regulations based on evidence-based policy analysis and the principles of the Rule of Law.

CCS hosts an annual Asia-wide documentary festival that sheds light on the livelihood challenges encountered by the rural and urban poor. The festival serves as a platform for documentary makers to share their experiences and creativity, aiming to strengthen the struggle for freedom among the poor. By highlighting policies and regulations that restrict livelihood freedom, Jeevika: Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival seeks to advocate for inclusive and sustainable development. It encourages filmmakers from around the world to engage with livelihood issues and promotes robust discussions on the consequences of detrimental policies, fostering changes in practices and mindsets.