Resource and Support Centre for Development (RSCD): Empowering Communities

We believe vision of development begins through women’s eyes’. That’s why we invest in the leadership of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs), helping them localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the ground up. Our capacity-building trainings, peer networks, and real-time field support ensure women lead with confidence and shape inclusive governance. SDG’s can be the agenda of each & every Panchayat of India. 

Healthy villages need informed & active communities. We help to form and strengthen Village Committees like Health, Nutrition, Water, and Sanitation Committee. Through workshops, campaigns and facilitation, we empower these committees to address local health needs and making health everyone’s responsibility. 

Climate change is not just a global issue - it’s a village reality. RSCD hosts climate dialogues to spark local reflection and action. We co-create grassroots communication tools to strengthen Village Biodiversity Management Committees (VBMCs) to conserve commons, boost local revenue, and build climate-resilient futures - from local knowledge to global impact. 

When villagers understand the system, they shape it. Our BOSS Course (Budget, Orders, Services, and Schemes) makes governance accessible. We train village leaders and build a strong cadre of Panchayati Raj Trainers across Maharashtra, making self-governance truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

We bring the Constitution alive through activating 73rd Amendment in everyday life. From our popular annual Constitution-themed calendars to campaigns like Har Ghar Sanvidhan Saksharta, RSCD spreads awareness of constitutional values. In collaboration with Local Governance bodies and universities, we’re building an informed & inclusive citizenry rooted in justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. 

Food is a fundamental right, not a privilege. RSCD works to ensure the effective implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013, through community engagement. and policy engagement, We push for access to quality and timely food supply by respected authority because no one should go to bed hungry. 

RSCD develops contextual training modules and engaging IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials on Panchayati Raj and rural development. We collaborate with renowned institutions like TISS, Boston University, King’s College London, and Mumbai University to shape knowledge, policy, and practice from the grassroots. 

RSCD also emphasizes working closely with School Management Committees (SMCs) and organizing regular parents’ meetings to strengthen the quality of education at the grassroots. These platforms bring together parents, teachers, and community members to discuss students’ progress, identify challenges, and jointly plan improvements in school facilities and the learning environment.

Such collaboration ensures that education becomes a shared community responsibility and leading to better accountability, improved student outcomes, and stronger school-community relationships. 

Our Safety Audit and Yuvati Sunvai program focuses on identifying the issues faced by WOMEN & GIRLS by mapping safe and unsafe spaces within their communities. Through participatory methods like street mapping, group discussions, and public hearings (sunvai), the program empowers young people especially girls to voice their concerns, highlight unsafe areas, and advocate for changes that ensure safer & more inclusive environments. This initiative not only builds awareness but also strengthens local systems to respond to the safety needs of the younger generation. 

At RSCD, we believe that meaningful change emerges from connecting grassroots realities with systemic policy reforms. We actively collaborate with civil society organizations, academic institutions, and governance bodies to ensure that the voices of marginalized communities especially women are heard and acted upon.

Our key policy initiatives such as Mahila Sabha (women’s village assemblies), Joint House Ownership, and the Flag Hoisting right for women Sarpanch have helped institutionalize gender-responsive governance at the local level. These initiative, not only increase women’s visibility and agency in decision-making but also drive long-term shifts toward inclusive gender-sensitive policy and practice.

By bringing field insights into policy spaces through dialogues, consultations, and strategic alliances, RSCD strives to create a governance ecosystem where lived experiences shape inclusive and participatory policies.

Resource and Support Centre for Development (RSCD) is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need. Our mission is to provide resources and support to underserved communities and individuals.

There are many ways to support Resource and Support Centre for Development (RSCD)'s mission. You can make a donation, become a member, or volunteer your time. Every contribution makes a difference!

From education to healthcare, Resource and Support Centre for Development (RSCD) offers a variety of programs to support the community. Learn more about our initiatives and how we make a positive impact.