| Vision, Mission, Approach and Core Values | Operational Area | Human Resource |

About Us

The origin of Pratinidhi may be traced back to a letter written by Dr Shambhu Nath, a resident of Ballia, elaborating voluntary efforts made in the district. Dr Shambhu Nath was a classmate of the Chief Executive of the organisation during his college days.

Taking inspiration from him, a meeting of like-minded people working in some voluntary organisations was called. This meeting analysed voluntary efforts made by the government and non-government organisations (GOs/NGOs) ever since independence for development of downtrodden communities.

The meeting concluded that such efforts had resulted in some positive outcomes on one hand and in negative results on the other. But the alternative to the sustainable process has remained elusive. This analysis, if looked at carefully, showed that there was a need to educate, train and organise people and not to perceive one's role as provider. This concept was further strengthened by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment according constitutional mandate to panchayati raj institutions (PRIs).

Pratinidhi formed in the year 1993 and registered the following year under the Societies Registration Act, with registration number 856. It was subsequently registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, with registration number 136270012, and Section 12A of the Indian Income Tax Act, with registration number 47/07-08.

From the very beginning Pratinidhi started work to strengthen livelihood of small and marginal farmers so that may live with self dignity and self dependent. It consolidated its focus on rural issues like sustainable livelihood, promotion of employment through skill building, women empowerment by forming federations, insuring community participation in promoting local self governance and protection and preservation of environment.
During the past few years, Pratinidhi has expanded its work to urban areas, where it is primarily working in slums and degraded localities.