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Resource Centre
Resource Centres
Training began as t he core mandate of CYSD and remains so today. CYSD now has a range of facilities, at Panchayat, district and state level, providing information, support and training. There are four different kinds of centre, designed to provide very specific, practical training and capacity building to a wide range of audiences.
The DRTC operates at state level as a resource and training centre. The DRTC operates at state level as a resource and training centre. It also coordinates and directs the activities of the District Resource Centres (DRCs) in Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Koraput. As a resource centre, it performs a catalytic role in capacity building and networking at state level. It provides a forum for dialogue and consultations among development professionals. It develops resource materials based on CYSD's long and rich experiences. It also develops Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and training modules; publishes journals, periodicals, newsletters, and magazines; and broadcasts radio programmes addressing CYSD's key themes.
As a training centre, the DRTC conducts training and awareness programmes at state level for government and public institutions, NGOs, and community based organizations. It runs regular programmes to build cadres of young people as social development activists. It designs and conducts need-based training and orientation programmes for all levels of development players. It also undertakes action research at field level to reinforce and strengthen training inputs and to provide both theoretical and practical understanding.
The District Resource Centres (DRCs), endeavor to bridge the gap between the community and the state, and to build a network of like-minded organizations working in the surrounding area to replicate various interventions of CYSD.
The huge development challenge within Orissa is such that it is impossible for one organization to make the necessary impact. Therefore from 2003 onwards, CYSD began to set up District Resource Centres (DRCs) in those districts where they were already working. The DRCs endeavor to bridge the gap between the community and the state, and to build a network of like-minded organizations working in the surrounding area to replicate various interventions of CYSD. The DRCs build up the capacities of community based organizations and other NGOs; generate awareness and involvement among people in the developmental planning process; and create, collect, collate and disseminate a wealth of useful development information to all involved in the process of development. They also carry out research and advocacy on various local issues relating to education, livelihood and governance in collaboration with other stakeholders.
The three DRCs organise a series of capacity building programmes annually, for the functionaries and frontline cadres of the partner organisations on different aspects of local self governance system such as the structure and functioning of the three tier PRS, the 29 subjects devolved to the Panchayats, the roles and responsibilities of Panchayat functionaries, the significance of micro planning as a tool of participatory governance, the potential of RTI in ensuring for governance accountability, and important government acts like PESA, NREGA etc. The DRCs also conduct Training of Trainers programmes on Social Audit in NREGA. Further, the DRCs carry out performance reviews of the Panchayat Mitras in monitoring the ongoing NREGS activities at their respective GP levels. This is done to review the quality of work undertaken and to undertake measures to mobilise the community for enrolling themselves in the NREGS activities.
| DRC Locations | Districts Covered |
| Koraput | Malkangiri, Navrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput |
| Sundargarh | Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Sundargarh |
| Keonjhar | Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar |
RLTCs aim to disseminate the key elements of CYSD's 
livelihood approach while also absorbing learning from other sources.
RLTCs aim to disseminate the key elements of CYSD's livelihood approach while also absorbing learning from other sources. The Rural Livelihood Training Centres (RLTCs) are located in CYSD's project locations. They aim to disseminate the key elements of CYSD's livelihood approach while also absorbing learning from other sources. The best practices in sustainable livelihood are therefore replicated in other villages in the project areas, and in other districts through partner organizations. The RLTCs offer accommodation and catering facilities. They also have well-equipped training rooms including audio-visual equipment.
As demonstration farms, they provide practical training on best and sustainable practices in agriculture and allied activities, natural resource management and micro-entrepreneurship development. The RLTCs also offer long-term training programmes in specific trades.
These centres seek to disseminate information among ordinary citizens and thereby enable them to make informed choices and decisions or ask questions to enhance accountability. PRCs take up development issues like education, sanitation, health, and facilitate the participation of people in the planning and implementation of various poverty alleviation and employment assurance schemes.
Though self-governance still remains the dream, the reality does not seem unrealized due to the lack of devolution of powers to the Panchayati Raj Institutions by the state and union governments. The reasons for this include the fact that Panchayat functionaries often do not understand the powers conferred on local governance institutions, and people still do not adequately participate in Palli Sabha, Gram Sabha and the local planning process. There is little sense of the autonomy and ownership required for an effective self-governance system.
