About Us
About The Organization
Diya Foundation, established in 2011 and registered under the societies act in Meghalaya, is a social organization dedicated to promoting economic upliftment, livelihood enhancement, education, community mental health and community empowerment among marginalised sections residing in challenging regions. With a focus on Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, tea tribes and other marginalised communities, Diya envisions a society where all individuals have equal opportunities and rights, leading to holistic development and inclusive growth. Diya Foundation predominantly works in Kamrup Rural, Goalpara districts in Assam and Ri Bhoi district in Meghalaya.
History of the organization
Diya Foundation emerged from a deep humanitarian need during the ethnic conflict between the Rabha and Garo tribes in Assam’s Kamrup and Goalpara districts in 2010-2011. The violence claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands, leaving many without basic necessities. The founder, alongside like-minded individuals, organized relief efforts, providing food, clothing, hygiene items, and paddy seeds to affected families in camps. This experience drove the founder to establish a formal organization to support marginalised communities in crisis. Recognizing the region’s severe poverty, institutional neglect, and infrastructure gaps, Diya Foundation was officially founded in 2011 and registered under the Societies Act in Meghalaya, with a mission to promote peace, equity, and development in the region.
Over 13 years, Diya Foundation has worked with communities in the region to support and strengthen livelihoods however, it has faced many barriers and challenges. Some of these challenges include lack of a strong civil society network in the region, increased support required for end users to secure better incomes by strengthening existing livelihoods, inability to meet market demands of local produce, stifled commercial opportunities, lack of experimentation within livelihoods, man-animal conflict and increasing effects of climate change. These barriers have also been understood in the form of learnings from constant engagement with the communities for over a decade of work. Diya Foundation has developed strategies, processes, tools and pathways to overcome these barriers and improve their impact by securing livelihoods, improving productivity, diversifying livelihoods and increasing resilience.
Diya Foundation has developed a phase wise plan for five years i.e. 2025-2030 for creating, supporting and enhancing new and existing livelihoods with new and existing users. Through three phases — Innovation, Scale and Sustainability, the present work of the organization can not just be strengthened but expanded in scope, range and scale as well.
Economic Upliftment and Livelihood Enhancement
Diya Foundation firmly believes in empowering marginalized farmers and communities through a range of Agri-Allied activities. By providing support and resources, Diya enables these farmers to improve their agricultural practices and enhance their livelihoods. The organization targets those residing in state borders, flood-prone areas, forest fringes, and tea gardens, where the challenges of development are more pronounced.
Promoting Education and Enhancing Learning Abilities
Education plays a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of poverty and uplifting communities. Diya Foundation understands the importance of education in transforming lives and promoting creativity. To achieve this, the organization conducts bridge courses, sessions, and remedial classes, particularly focusing on primary sections of schedule tribes, schedule castes, tea tribes, and other backward communities. These initiatives aim to enhance learning abilities and promote a thirst for knowledge among young minds.
Fostering Mental Health and Well-being
Mental health is often overlooked in rural communities, and Diya Foundation endeavors to bridge this gap. Recognizing the need for accessible mental healthcare, Diya provides affordable treatment facilities, doorstep counseling services, and awareness campaigns. By reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and empowering individuals to seek help, Diya contributes to improved mental well-being among the rural population.
Capacitating Community Institutions
Diya Foundation believes in the power of collectivization and active participation of communities in shaping their destinies. To achieve this, the organization works diligently to capacitate and strengthen various community institutions, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs), Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs), Producer Groups (PGs), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). These institutions serve as platforms for voicing concerns, claiming entitlements, and fostering economic independence.
Empowering Women and Ending Gender-Based Discrimination
Gender equality is central to Diya Foundation’s approach to community development. The organization actively promotes gender parity within households and society at large. By facilitating and strengthening women’s institutions, Diya works towards ending domestic violence, gender-based discrimination, and unequal decision-making processes. Empowering women in these aspects enhances their social standing and contributes to overall community progress.
Our Vision
A society of self-reliant, sustainability and dignity.
Our Mission
Serving the community to enhance their capacities, participation, institution-building and sustainable use of resources.
Goal
Over the next five years, Diya Foundation aims to reach 20,000 households through livelihood enhancement, community mental health, and education programs impacting 100,000 lives.
- Goal 1: Increase the income of 6,500 households by promoting sustainable livelihood practices.
- Goal 2: Enhance household income by an additional ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000 annually for targeted households.
- Goal 3: Ensure that 60% of the targeted households gain access to financial leverages, institutional linkages, market opportunities, and government entitlements.
- Goal 4: Facilitate the participation of 14,000 to 16,000 households in community-based institutions to strengthen access to market linkages, training opportunities, and financial inclusion schemes.
- Goal 5: Support the adoption of Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) and climate-resilient technologies in the livelihoods of 2,000 targeted households.
- Goal 6: Provide affordable and accessible mental health services to at least 500 individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
- Goal 7: Strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills among 2,500 children in Kamrup district, enhancing their learning outcomes for long-term educational success.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you—reach out with your questions, ideas, or just to say hello!
Milestones
Celebrating the key milestones that mark our journey of growth, innovation, and success.