[York Room]. Learn about the work of the Rural Development Trust (RDT) in India by speakers Angelina Klouthis, Executive Director & Moncho Ferrer, President of the Board of Directors. RDT works with over 3,000 villages, mostly from marginalized and underprivileged communities for the past 46 years, supporting them in basic welfare, healthcare, and much more. The presentation will discuss how partners (beneficiaries) are empowered to take ownership of development processes—including financing—and maintain project results and impacts beyond the life of projects. This includes:
-Social sustainability, associated with the effective participation of beneficiary and partner organizations in the formulation and co-funding of projects. This concept is based upon cultural appropriate projects that are based upon local demand and interest for interventions from diverse actors.
-Organizational and institutional sustainability, involving the technical capacity that will need to be in place or developed within organizations and institutions, including systems, policies, and skills. This includes involving local institutions and organizations in the process and promoting direct collaboration among the stakeholders.
-Economic and financial sustainability, related to how funding streams will continue at the end of the project, providing the needed resources to enable continuation of achievement of project results. This dynamic may include improving local industries and connecting them to market opportunities or helping grassroots organizations develop capacity to work with other funding agents.
-Environmental sustainability, comprising the commitment, by partner organizations and beneficiaries, to mitigate environmental impacts and support the protection, restoration and sustainable management of natural resources.

For more information, please contact Professor Ashwani Vasishth (vasishth@ramapo.edu). View more about the organization here: http://rdtfvf.org/.