In 2005 Human Welfare Foundation embarked on a highly consultative process that lasted almost a whole year to assess how to bring about a sustainable change in the socio-economic status of Muslims and other deprived communities of India. Under its flagship project, it was decided to focus on the poorest and most marginalised social groups living in the poorest conditions in India’s many states, with the objective of closing the gaps between the two apparently distinct versions of India. Over the last ten years, the focus has been on the North and North East states of India, where extreme poverty largely resides today. But the goals that we adopted under Vision 2016 plan are far from accomplished. Even back then it was envisioned that the first ten years program period will be a time slice of a much longer period - 20 years? 30 years? and even more - that will be needed to accomplish the goals of the program.


This plan, therefore, continues (Vision 2026) along the path laid out by the first plan but with some important modifications. Based on all that we learned from the former program, we are also modifying our approach by aiming to engage with a wider cross-section of the public so as to build a larger supporter and donor base. And we will also be aiming to build many more partnerships so that we can leverage our work and become more beneficial collectively to achieve the very ambitious goals and targets that we have set out for ourselves for the coming ten years. Through the Vision 2026 program, we aim to create a just and harmonious society where everybody shares and cares for the poor, unprivileged and exploited people and make our society a better place to live in.

Objectives of Vision 2026

 

1. To strive for holistic and sustainable development work among the poor, marginalized, downtrodden, illiterate, vulnerable and the exploited ones, irrespective of their caste, creed, language, sex or religion.

2. A positive socio-economic life to bring change in the lives of Indian Muslims and other deprived communities and to uplift their status at par with the national average thematic areas in of human development.

3. To enable them to contribute towards nation building in all spheres of life.

STRATEGY: An inclusive change

A report by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has brought to light some astonishing figures. Three out of ten Urban Muslims officially fall below the poverty line i.e. live on a monthly income of Rs 550 and less. The rural Muslims are more troubled as they fall further down the scale. One in five rural Muslims falls below the poverty line. The condition of Dalits and Adivasis are equally vulnerable. According to the Kundu Committee report, Muslims continue to be left out of both government jobs and the urbanisation wave. Moreover, the basic advantages of a better sex ratio and higher birth weight have been wasted due to the lack of health facilities in areas dominated by Muslims and a high school drop-out rate. In this backdrop, Human Welfare Foundation has devised a strategy of inclusive and sustainable change. This strategy aims to consolidate and build upon the work initiated in the first phase of the plan. Our Vision 2026 approach will be guided by the objective of reducing inequality and vulnerability by closing the gaps between “the haves” and “the have-nots” based on geography, class, caste, religion, and gender. Our interventions will be guided by the broader purpose we have committed ourselves to in our strategy. 

METHODOLOGY

  • Focused and targeted social change with clear, measurable goals.
  • Inclusive & participatory approach.
  • A sustainable module of change.
  • Leverage available resources.