Strengthening Local Governments
We make Gram Panchayats 29 times more effective through our Gram Panchayat Organisational Development approach.
Strengthening Local Governments
We make Gram Panchayats 29 times more effective through our Gram Panchayat Organisational Development approach.
Gram Panchayats (GPs) serve as the cornerstone of local self-governance in India, entrusted with a broad spectrum of functions across 29 subjects, including agriculture, health, education, and social security. Despite their constitutional recognition through the 73rd Amendment, GPs face challenges such as limited capacity, unclear mandates, and inefficient processes, limiting their ability to serve communities effectively.
Citizen engagement platforms such as Gram Sabhas, Ward Sabhas, Bal Sabhas, and Mahila Sabhas are intended to foster participatory governance. In practice, they often function as transactional forums, resulting in fragmented participation, low attendance, and weakened community involvement in decision-making.
Anode’s Gram Panchayat Organisational Development (GPOD) approach applies Organisation Development principles to strengthen the institutional capacities of GPs. It equips them to work more effectively across all 29 devolved subjects, enhancing their capacity for planning, decision-making, and responsive service delivery. By building well-informed and capable institutions, GPOD helps enable genuine devolution and more accountable governance.
Gram Panchayat Organisational Development Framework
The Gram Panchayat Organisation Development (GPOD) Framework strengthens Gram Panchayats (GPs) as effective units of local self-governance through a structured organisation development approach. Developed to address gaps in leadership and institutional capacity, the framework guides GPs through a phased process focusing on legal awareness, self-assessment, vision building, process mapping, and collaborative planning. Implemented over a 3-5 year engagement, this step-by-step approach strengthens GPs to function as self-reliant, citizen-centric governance institutions.
What We Do
01
Vision Building for Long-Term Impact
We facilitate the development of clear visions and actionable plans that resonate with community aspirations, enabling Gram Panchayats to set and achieve long-term developmental goals.
02
Leadership and Capacity Building
Through tailored workshops and mentoring, we build the capacities of GP members to understand their roles, enhance decision-making skills, and lead with accountability.
03
Deepening Citizen Engagement
The GPOD process mobilises citizen networks, builds advocacy skills, and drives ward-level actions for inclusive and effective local governance.
04
Creating Tools for Operational Excellence
Our Organisation Mapping Tool, Panchayat Pulse, enables GPs to self-assess across nine key components, identify gaps, and prioritise actions for improvement.
05
Systemic Governance Frameworks
We establish and streamline structures and processes that promote transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery within GPs
At a Glance
134
Gram Panchayats across India have signed MoUs with Anode and its partners to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
76%
of schools in 11 Gram Panchayats in Jharkhand now have functional toilets and drinking water facilities, thanks to the efforts of newly formed Education Core Committees.
3,935
people accessed eye screenings and 507 underwent cataract surgeries through health camps in 30 Gram Panchayats in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, improving eye care access in rural areas.
30
elected members across 15 Gram Panchayats in Chitradurga District, Karnataka, were appointed as Panchayat Facilitators, fostering greater participation, transparency, and citizen engagement.
We are committed to scaling the GPOD Framework to more regions, building self-reliant and responsive institutions that lead with purpose.
Impact in Action
Our Work
We collaborate with institutions and individuals, applying Organisation Development principles to build capacity, foster adaptability, and advance responsive governance.
Improving Public Systems
Developing processes and frameworks to ensure accountable and efficient service delivery by public institutions
Leveraging Technology for Governance
Strengthening transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in governance institutions through our Organisation Mapping Tool
Visit our blog to explore real-world examples of our work.