ActionAid Association organised a social security camp for informal workers in Parayapatti village, Dharmapuri district, Tamilnadu. The camp supported 72 beneficiaries in applying for their children’s educational certificates, other essential documents, and social security benefits. Additionally, youth circle meetings were organised to provide young people with a platform to discuss community issues, share their perspectives, and strengthen their participation in community initiatives and collective action. These efforts aim to improve access to essential services while encouraging youth engagement in community development. @sndeep

ActionAid Association, through the Worker Facilitation Centre, Keru, Rajathan, organised a two-day Leadership School in the Kali Beri mining area, with the participation of 39 workers. The programme focused on workers’ empowerment, collective organisation, constitutional provisions, and access to government social security schemes. Representatives from the Social Welfare Department, Jankidad and Brijesh, shared information about various welfare schemes and helped address pension-related issues. The sessions emphasised the importance of workers’ empowerment, awareness of their entitlements, and collective discussions on workplace challenges. The initiative aimed to strengthen workers’ knowledge, leadership skills, and collective participation in addressing challenges affecting their lives and livelihoods. @sndeep

Migrant worker families visited ActionAid Association’s Workers’ Facilitation Centre (WFC) in Dangapata, Odisha, to learn how village-level migration registers can help track migration, identify workers’ needs, and connect them with welfare schemes. The session also explored safe migration, workers’ entitlements, and how the centre supports families in accessing social security and navigating challenges during migration. #ActionAidAssociation #MigrantWorkers #SafeMigration. @sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a Mazdoor Pathshala in Vyara, Tapi district, Gujarat, bringing together 35 youth from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 10 villages. The session identified workplace challenges and helped the youth collectively prepare a Charter of Demands focusing on fair wages, livelihood opportunities, decent working conditions, social security, and improved access to government welfare schemes. #ActionAidAssociation #WorkersRights #TribalYouth @sndeep @psushila92

ActionAid Association organised a perspective-building workshop in Gram Helpia, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, with 25 women, men and young people from 4 villages. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of community issues, encourage discussions on local challenges and promote collective action to address them. Through such initiatives, ActionAid Association works to build informed, active communities that participate in local development processes. #ActionAidAssociation #CommunityParticipation #UttarakhandNyayYatra @sndeep

United Nations Day, 24 October: Reclaiming the Promise of Peace Let us recall the promise of nations acting together for peace, dignity and justice. The Cold War rivalry and the veto powers of five permanent Security Council members have undermined that vision. The US-led “war on terror”, the Ukraine–Russia conflict and Israel’s devastation of Gaza have further exposed the UN’s inability to restrain powerful states and prevent atrocities. As war, inequality and climate change deepen, an effective UN is more essential than ever. Fulfilling its promise requires democratic renewal: challenging veto power and giving the global majorities of the Global South a decisive voice. The UN must draw its strength from the peoples it exists to serve.@sndeep

Whose Development? Whose Voice? Whose Future? | World Development Information Day We must constantly ask whose needs shape development—and whose voices count. The rights and well-being of the vast majority must be at the centre of every development agenda. When development is left to market forces, wealth translates into power over priorities, advancing the interests of the richest 1 per cent while leaving basic needs unmet. Growth can then deepen inequality instead of securing universal well-being. Development information must make these inequalities visible and enable people to shape the decisions affecting their lives. Progress must be measured by access to food, healthcare, education, housing, decent work and a healthy environment. Development fulfils its purpose when it advances these rights for everyone.@sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a Shramik Pathshala at the residence of Manta Devi in Doki Gram Panchayat, Jharkhand, to raise awareness among workers about labour-related entitlements and social security schemes. Participants were informed about the services and support available through the WFC (Worker Facilitation Centre) Manika Shramik Kendra Help Centre, including its location and facilities. The session also highlighted the benefits of ABHA, Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW), and e-Shram cards, along with information on the appropriate costs involved in obtaining them. A total of 23 participants, including 17 women, 2 men and 4 adolescent girls, attended the session. Participants also discussed plans to organise an awareness camp in the village to expand access to information on government welfare schemes and support services. @sndeep

ActionAid Association inaugurated a new branch of the Shramik Suvidha Kendra at Bhelaya Crossing in Tamkuhiraj Block, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. The inauguration was attended by 56 workers, including 42 women and 14 men from the agricultural, construction, brick kiln and sanitation sectors. During the programme, workers were informed about the services provided by the Shramik Suvidha Kendra and various government welfare schemes available to them. The following services and application support were facilitated during the event: •1 new labour registration completed. •10 workers assisted in verifying their labour registration and renewal status. •1 application submitted for road construction. •31 housing applications facilitated, including 28 women and 3 men applicants. •19 applications submitted by women for toilet construction. •1 application prepared to address a land dispute. The new branch aims to improve workers’ access to government welfare schemes, essential services and application support, bringing these services closer to local communities. @sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a training on urban governance and the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBGA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, bringing together around 110 community members and young people from seven wards. The sessions explored how city governance works and how participants can engage with local authorities to address issues in their communities. Through this initiative, ActionAid Association is encouraging residents to take part in local decision-making and help create better, more inclusive communities. #ActionAidAssociation #UrbanGovernance #CommunityParticipation. @sndeep

ActionAid Association, in partnership with Ekjut Mazdoor Union and relevant government departments, launched the “Kaam Mango Abhiyan” at Baba Ramdev Basti in Jaipur, Rajasthan, under the Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. The campaign was launched by the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). Over the next 10 days, it aims to reach 10 settlements and help more than 1,000 workers access employment and welfare schemes. #ActionAidAssociation #UrbanEmployment #WorkersRights @sndeep

Freedom from bonded labour must mean more than rescue. It must mean dignity, meaningful rehabilitation and lasting freedom. ActionAid Association, in collaboration with NCCEBL, inaugurated the Online School on Ending Forced Labour with Justice V. Ramsubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 22nd October 2026. The inaugural session brought together lived experience, institutional perspectives and a shared commitment to ending bonded labour. Anita Pradhan shared her liberation narrative, Dipali Sharma delivered a special address, and Sandeep Chachra offered the closing remarks. Nirmal Gorana, Convenor of NCCEBL, moderated the session. In his address, the NHRC Chairperson laid out five commitments for participants to carry forward: 1️⃣ Recognise warning signs, including threats and other indicators of exploitation. 2️⃣ Engage with workers respectfully, protect their confidentiality and remain attentive to their safety. 3️⃣ Build connections and communicate across language barriers, ensuring that migrant workers are heard and understood. 4️⃣ Follow through. Conducting a camp and moving elsewhere is not enough—continue following up on the cases and concerns identified. 5️⃣ Act collectively, working together with coordination and shared purpose to address bonded labour. These commitments will guide us throughout the School, shaping our learning, reflections and collective action. As the Chairperson emphasised, rescue and release are only the beginning. Rehabilitation must secure lasting freedom. @sndeep

ActionAid Association, in collaboration with Janajagaran Shramik Union, Balangir, organised a meeting with social workers representing 28 villages across Odisha. Participants shared local challenges, discussed community concerns, and developed an action plan together to prioritise key issues and plan future activities. The initiative supports community leadership, collective action, and local efforts to tackle challenges and bring about positive change. #ActionAidAssociation #CommunityLeadership #CollectiveAction @IamSandeepKhare

ActionAid Association met with forest dwellers in Chak Surasyar, Jammu and Kashmir, for a Gram Sabha on the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. Working alongside the Forest Department, the Forest Rights Committee and local residents, participants explored their legal entitlements, claim procedures and climate-related concerns. They also received practical guidance on completing documentation and resubmitting previously rejected claims—helping eligible forest communities strengthen their applications and access government provisions under the law. #ActionAidAssociation #ForestCommunities #ClimateAction. @sndeep

For informal workers, access to government benefits can be an important source of security and support. On 17 October 2026, ActionAid Association organised a camp in Rajiv Nagar, Brijalpura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, where many informal workers received job and health cards. Others submitted applications for benefits under government schemes—taking a step towards greater social protection. #InformalWorkers #Rajasthan

On the occasion of International Rural Women’s Day, ActionAid Association, in collaboration with Mukul Madhav Foundation and Finolex Industries Ltd., supported an awareness programme in Songadh, bringing together 37 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and Adivasi single women from five villages of Songadh Taluka, Gujarat. Representatives from the Forest Department, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), and ATMA Project shared information on government schemes, livelihood opportunities, and skill development. The Forest Department representative highlighted plantation support, employment opportunities, and community nursery development. The NRLM representative discussed Self-Help Groups (SHGs), financial assistance, bamboo handicraft training, and marketing opportunities through exhibitions and fairs. The ATMA Project representative provided insights into natural farming, the preparation and benefits of Jeevamrut, and mushroom cultivation training. The programme aimed to enhance awareness among PVTG and Adivasi single women about available government support and sustainable livelihood opportunities, helping strengthen their skills, financial independence, and economic empowerment. @sndeep