Saunta Gaunta Foundation

Works for the development of tribal communities and underprivileged segments living in remote areas of Northern Odisha

  • Bronze Certified 2023
  • FCRA
Transparency Rating:
Transparency Rating
The transparency rating is calculated based on the amount of information available for the organisation.
Claim this profile
Bronze Certified Bronze Certified

About

  • Headquarters

    Keonjhar, Odisha

  • Since

    2005

Saunta Gaunta Foundation (SGF) intends to establish a self-confident, self-sufficient and equity-based society where everyone can live a dignified lif Read moree. The name Saunta Gaunta Foundation originates from the tribal Santali language and stands for “Together We Can”. The name itself signifies that the organization stands for the tribals. SGF has been established in order to ensure that it can make such people aware of their rights and duties and thus empower them to plan, implement all programmes and works in a cooperative and participatory manner. SGF is the beacon for the vulnerable tribals. Started in 2005, the organization started to move its ideas towards implementation through various studies surveys and research with an objective to understand the general scenario of people and the area in different tribal pockets of Odisha. With its modest beginning from a small area of Keonjhar District, SGF started its journey. Gradually it has extended its activities across the lengths and breadths of Odisha and West Bengal. SG Foundation firmly believes in the wisdom and awareness of the people it serves, especially the tribal communities who possess profound knowledge of their available resources and sustainable utilization. Therefore, in every project, the foundation prioritizes the people as the focal point, working from the community's needs towards the technical aspects. It offers unwavering support to the communities in each project intervention, tailoring its assistance to their specific requirements. SG Foundation has a team of trained specialists in various fields of intervention. They act as catalysts, facilitating inclusive and equitable community growth through community mobilizers. To ensure distributive and redistributive justice, they operate in the most remote regions of Odisha, specifically in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, and Dhenkanal districts, with a primary focus on engaging with tribal communities in Northern Odisha. The team includes management graduates, engineers, agriculture graduates, forestry experts, and exceptionally dedicated field staff who are committed to working in challenging terrains to unlock the creative potential of the vulnerable populations and foster holistic development through an integrated approach, encompassing socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental dimensions. SG Foundation promotes sustainable livelihoods, natural resource management, access to clean cooking solutions, and income-generating activities. Livelihood enhancement is the central objective of all the development initiatives, converging the impact of various thematic interventions to promote sustained livelihoods. The key objectives of SGF are as follows: • To provide livelihood opportunities to landless farmers and unemployed youth through various microfinance and micro-enterprise development programs, including the promotion of self-help groups for women, thrift and credit systems to address the financial needs of impoverished families, and support for income-generating projects. • To offer professional and technical support services for research, capacity building, and skill development in the realm of social and livelihood development. • To empower women by promoting skill development training, income-generating programs, group funds, thrift and credit facilities, with the aim of achieving economic empowerment. • To enhance livelihood and natural resource management programs through composite farming systems, farm-related activities to conserve and regenerate the environment and natural resources, and the dissemination of suitable rural technologies. • To establish and manage community organizations, drawing grants, margin money, and soft loan assistance from agencies such as SIDBI, NABARD, and other banks or financing institutions engaged in microfinance and rural development activities. • To utilize the income and property of the society for charitable purposes in support of the objectives outlined in this Memorandum of Association, subject to the guidance provided by funding agencies as necessary.

Programs

  • Cycle model weeder

    The apparently straightforward task of weed removal in agricultural fields can be more challenging than it appears. Witnessing the struggles faced by farmers, particularly women, in dealing with persistent weed issues, SG Foundation introduced an ingenious tool crafted from repurposed old and damaged bicycles. This innovative solution proves highly effective in the permanent removal of weeds.

  • Farmers’ Club

    State

    To address the pressing issues of income uncertainty in agriculture and the protection of farmers' rights, there is a crucial need for collaborative action involving all stakeholders, particularly the primary ones. In 2013, the farmers and Self-Help Groups (SGF), with the support of NABARD, established 13 farmers' clubs in the Telkoi block of Keonjhar.
    These SGFs and Farmers' Clubs, in partnership with ATMA and RKVY under the Agriculture Department, have been actively engaged in initiatives such as mixed cropping (maize and groundnut), line transplanting of paddy, and maize line sowing in the Telkoi block. These efforts have significantly contributed to enhancing farmers' productivity. Additionally, SGF, NABARD, and banks have collaborated to support farmers in the same block in adopting scientific cultivation practices for cultivating turmeric in a cluster approach.

  • Solar puncturewala

    State

    SGF has introduced a stand-alone Solar Tire Repair Service Provider, offering an innovative off-grid solution to address the two-wheeler service requirements in tribal Keonjhar, Odisha. This initiative also provides an alternative source of income for service providers. The solar-powered setup saves time, conserves fuel, and generates income, all while operating on the principles of clean and sustainable solar energy. This eco-friendly solution eliminates the need for traditional fuels and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, its bicycle-mounted design ensures easy mobility, making door-to-door service delivery possible, thereby enhancing income-generation opportunities.

  • Farm mechanization

    Promoting the use of efficient tools, machinery, and equipment to enhance farm productivity and reduce costs is essential, especially among small and marginal landholders in tribal areas. The SG Foundation places significant emphasis on encouraging and popularizing improved agricultural implements, including both power-operated and animal-drawn tools. These farm mechanization programs have resulted in the adoption of various farm machinery, such as tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, irrigation equipment, plant protection tools, threshers, improved implements, and hand tools. The primary goal is to reduce farmers' input costs and increase productivity.
    With the support of the Aditya Birla Group, the Agriculture Department, and the Horticulture Department, SGF has distributed tractors, power tillers, pumps, sprayers, and drip irrigation systems to nine farmers' clubs in the peripheral areas of ESSEL mining.

  • HBNC training

    District

    The Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) program is being actively implemented in Odisha, aiming to reduce neonatal mortality rates, which, in turn, will lead to a decline in Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate. This initiative involves training ASHA workers to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for providing essential care to newborns and postpartum mothers in their homes. Following their training, these ASHA workers conduct home visits to deliver home-based care during the postnatal period. SGF organized training sessions for all ASHA workers in two blocks, Saharapada and Patna, located in Keonjhar district. The field training was conducted in four rounds, each spanning five days. The training was fully residential to ensure the effective delivery and absorption of training content during the program.

  • Beekeeper training

    Honeybees are crucial for biodiversity creation and preservation, but their survival is under threat due to various factors. The use of pesticides in agricultural and horticultural practices has detrimental effects on honeybee populations. Additionally, the unscientific collection and destruction of hives contribute significantly to the loss of bees and biodiversity. Rock beehives are typically located on treetops in forests, and they possess disease-resistant characteristics. However, collecting honey from these hives has been a challenging task. In collaboration with TDCCO Land TRIFED, Government of India, SG Foundation has embarked on the promotion of honeybee culture among indigenous honey gatherers in three districts of the state to address these issues.

  • Barefoot technician

    A barefoot technician is an individual chosen from the village community and equipped with specific skills and training to become proficient in various techniques such as soil moisture conservation, renewable energy, clean cooking, agriculture, horticulture, fishery, and small animal husbandry. These skills empower them to pursue alternative livelihoods and improve their quality of life. SG Foundation has taken the initiative to transform unskilled laborers into skilled technicians and appoint them as service providers in every village where it operates. The organization identifies individuals with potential and offers project-specific training to enable them to provide valuable services to their fellow villagers and other organizations, thereby earning a livelihood.

  • Microenterprise promotion for women

    SG Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for women by equipping them with valuable skills and income opportunities rooted in local resources. SGF offers comprehensive training in micro-enterprises, empowering women to establish mango processing units, badi processing units, engage in agarbatti and spice production, and participate in the processing of non-timber forest products (NTFP). These initiatives are developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including NABARD, Odisha Livelihood Mission, ORMAS, TRIFED, and ESSEL Mining's CSR division. SGF's goal is to empower women to generate supplementary income and elevate their living standards.

  • Climate resilience work

    District
    State

    In collaboration with the Government of Odisha, SGF, with technical support from IPE Global, is actively engaged in facilitating and overseeing a program designed to enhance the effective implementation, management, and maintenance of crucial assets. The initiative spans two distinct districts, Mayurbihha and Keonjhar, encompassing blocks such as Jamda, Sukurali, Bijaitala, Kusumi, Sadar, and Banspal.
    The program is focused on raising awareness and delivering training to communities and their institutional and Gram Panchayat (GP) level staff on climate change. It also introduces climate-resilient livelihood practices aimed at mitigating frequent environmental shocks. The initiative addresses essential aspects such as groundwater recharge, soil moisture retention and protection, water provisioning for irrigation, as well as the conservation and regeneration of biomass and carbon stock.

  • Clean cooking

    Using the Sensor-Enabled Climate Financing (SCF) model, SGF collaborated with Nexleaf to facilitate mobile payments from a climate fund directly to the women who adopt improved cook stoves. Data collected from these households vividly illustrates the consistent use of clean cook stoves, averaging four hours of daily cooking. SGF has successfully introduced mobile payments for Climate credits through Vodafone M-pesa, ensuring a seamless and efficient process.

  • Promoting solar energy

    SG Foundation is actively involved in advancing renewable energy services to households, offering a wide range of options including Solar PV micro grids, Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHS), Solar Water Pumps, Solar Street Lights, and an Innovative Solar Puncturewala.

  • Kumidini enterprise

    Kumidini delivers rural renewable and clean energy services to one of the most underserved populations, particularly women, in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The organization is dedicated to promoting the training and capacity building of rural communities, especially women, who are champions of clean energy technology within their communities.
    The primary goals of Kumidini include:
    • Establishing a network of local Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) with a particular emphasis on women entrepreneurs.
    • Simplifying access to modern energy for tribal communities through community-based clean energy initiatives.
    • Integrating energy and financing solutions at the point of sale while providing tailored energy options.

  • Stone carving training

    District
    State

    In Mayurbhanj, Khiching is renowned for the Maa Kichekswari Temple and its exceptional black granite stone carving craftsmanship, which has earned a place for Mayurbhanj on the national map. The primary livelihood of over 200 families from two villages in this region revolves around stone carving.
    Originally, this craft was practiced by a specific caste, but over time, people from various castes, including tribal communities, have also embraced this profession. Kesna village alone has more than 50 tribal families involved in stone carving. However, their work may not be as refined as that of the traditional stone carvers, leading to lower remuneration for their craftsmanship.

  • Wasteland development (WADI)

    The central aim of the WADI program is to uplift tribal communities, often belonging to primitive tribal groups, by providing them with small orchards (WADIs), implementing soil conservation measures, developing water resources, offering healthcare services, initiating income generation programs for women's groups, and striving to enhance the food and nutritional security of tribal populations. Each WADI comprises a combination of Mango, Sapeta, and Teak trees planted on the outskirts of land holdings. Other developmental efforts related to environmental preservation, gender equity, health improvement, soil conservation within WADIs, water resource development, agricultural enhancement, women's development, and healthcare are interlinked around the WADI project to comprehensively uplift the target communities.

Leadership Team

  • Biswaprakash Bhattacharya

    Chief Executive

  • Uday Nath Majhi Majhi

    Chairman

  • Bikram Kesari Mohanty

    Treasurer

Demographics & Structure

  • No. of Employees

    21-50

M&E

  • Internal, External Assessors

    No

Policies

  • Ethics and Transparency Policies

    No

  • Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy

    No

Political & Religious Declarations

  • On Affiliation if any

    No

  • On Deployment Bias if any

    No

Registration Details

  • PAN Card

    AAEAS8712N

  • Registration ID

    23240-109 of 2010-11

  • VO ID / Darpan ID

    OR/2016/0106417

  • FCRA

    105080015

  • CSR Registration Number

    Not Available

Location

  • Headquarters

    Near Gobind Munda Chhaka, Post-Old Town, Keonjhar,Odisha, 758002

    Directions
  • Offices in Cities

Other Details

  • Type & Sub Type

    Non-profit
    Society