Background & History

Our Legacy

A Journey of Commitment and Change

1989-1993

The early years of People's Forum can be seen as a phase of youthful energy and commitment to social justice. Driven by a strong sense of motivation, the organization focused on creating an equitable society for marginalized communities. Key initiatives during this phase included the Amaku Banchubaku Andolan, which fought against the displacement of leper colonies in Bhubaneswar and Khordha, and the Hataku Kama Andolan in Bolgarh block of Nayagarh, advocating for workers' rights. Additionally, the organization fought for the rights of SC/ST communities in the tribal districts of the state, laying the foundation for its future social justice work.

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1993 - 1997

During this phase, the organization was driven by a charity-focused vision, concentrating primarily on delivering government and donor agency aid and grants directly to the most marginalized families. The aim was to provide comprehensive support to help them live with dignity.

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1998 - 2002

This phase marked a pivotal moment in the state's history as it faced one of the most devastating natural disasters. The organization assumed its profound responsibility to support the people during this crisis. Initiatives such as Adopt-A-Granny, Sanchaya Shakti, Livestock Management, and Health Promotion were introduced, alongside various rehabilitation programs. Efforts were concentrated on the area’s most severely impacted by the super cyclone.

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2003 - 2007

The organisation started off with a strong emphasis on women as a source of growth and placed a lot of stress on the development of mental ill women, in 2003, People's Forum entered the mental health sector, recognizing the urgent need to address healthcare, rescue, and rehabilitation for distressed women, as well as providing general support for mentally ill destitute women. Additionally, the organization launched initiatives such as livelihood restoration, irrigation, nursery development, drought mitigation, and cluster development.

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2005 - 2015

In 2015, People's Forum celebrated 25 years of impactful work. With two decades of experience, the organization had grown steadily, focusing on promoting institutions and achieving self-sufficiency. Declaring itself a microfinance institution, it strengthened initiatives in development programs, rural marketing, agriculture, pisciculture, training, and business development support.

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2016 - 2020

In order to reach out to the larger society to fulfil the organisation's mandate it was essential to broaden its reach and accordingly modify the interventions strategy. People's Forum started to take into consideration the pressing needs of individuals who were experiencing difficulties, the organisation gradually started to expand the scope of their activity all over the Odisha and managing nearly 31 projects in order to provide services to the marginalised communities such as Beggars, persons with intellectual disabilities, person with substance abuse, support centre for women affected by violence, elderly care etc.

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2020 Onwards

The organisation reached its 33 years milestones of glory, struggle and strength in 2023. Over the past three decades, People's Forum has focused on a variety of critical issues, including economic inequality, gender justice, social disparities, specially focusing on mental health regardless of their age, religion, caste, social background or economic status not only this it has also started providing services for the animal welfare. through the grassroots approach, people's forum has established a strong presence in all over the Odisha.

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