India Panchayat Foundation (IPF) is an independent non-partisan, pan-India multi-stakeholder platform to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) .
Why IPF
The 73rd Amendment that provided a Constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions
is yet to realise its full potential in letter and spirit.
The need for the India Panchayat Forum stems from this gap and is envisioned to promote the
Gandhian vision of Panchayat Raj that upholds constitutional values, social justice and the highest
standards of governance with a special focus on Antyodaya.
Initiated by stalwarts in Panchayati Raj, like Shri. S. M. Vijayanand IAS (Retd.) , former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala, Dr. W.R. Reddy IAS, former Director General, National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri V. Giriraj IAS (Retd.), former Principle Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Maharashtra and supported by corporate leaders like Mr. Arun Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Intellect Design Arena, Mr.Yogesh Andlay, an IIT alumni and founding member of several well-known organizations, IPF is a collaborative effort that includes grass root social impact organisations such as but not limited to, Anode Governance Labs, PRADAN and Sulochana Thapar Foundation.
IPF will also include well known practitioners such as Dr. Chandrashekar Pran (Teesri Sarkar Abhiyan), Dr Kishor Moghe (Gramin Samassya Mukti Trust), Dr. Upma Diwan (Institute of Regional Analysis), Mr. Popatrao Pawar (Sarpanch, Hiware Bazaar) and Mr. Elango Rangaswamy (TVG).
Approach & Focus Areas
IPF will focus on harnessing the strength of the Government backed Institutions, engage these Institutions for leveraging resources and will also extend support to further strengthen its strategic and operational reach.
IPF will acknowledge and celebrate the work being done by Panchayats, NGOs / CSOs and promote cross learning across States and Regions.
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Strengthen existing Government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that work on PRI
Evidence generation, research and curation for deeper insights to strengthen the PRI
Besides generating compelling evidence on the state of PRI systems in the country, IPF will curate and collate the existing body of knowledge for its effective and efficient use.
IPF will work towards reorienting voluntary organizations working with the community to partner Panchayats especially Gram Panchayats. IPF plans to develop a platform of voluntary organizations interested in working with and working for Panchayats. IPF will also harness volunteers among professionals to work with Panchayats.
Reorienting Volunteerism
Amplify voices at micro and macro levels
IPF will create platforms / forum at micro and macro level toIPF will create platforms / forums at micro and macro level to foster dialogue around PRI strengthening. IPF will also aim to sensitize Corporates, Academic Institutions and Funding Agencies on the potential of Panchayati Raj. foster dialogue around PRI Strengthening. IPF will also sensitize Corporates, Academic Institutions and Funding Agencies on the potential of Panchayati Raj
IPF will collaborate with national and international policy institutions on Local Self Governments (LSG). It will also identify and share experiences and recommendations with Central and State governments through various channels.
Policy research and advocacy
India Panchayat Foundation 