A self reliant, non-exploitative, egalitarian Indian society. This is the guiding vision for AVARD or the Association for Voluntary Agencies for Rural Development. A network of more than 650 NGOs engaged in rural development in India, AVARD's philosophy stems from its promoters. This was a group of freedom fighters and national leaders who renounced power politics and decided to concentrate on a plan of people's action to rebuild India in the post-Independence period.

AVARD has a long history of promoting voluntary action, planned rural reconstruction with local participation and Panchayati Raj in the country thereby addressing issues of poverty reduction, food security, rural technology and environmental sustainability. Excellent micro-planning and strong networking are its strengths.

This particular project deals with the desolate Naugarh block in Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh. The population, most of whom are Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), live among degraded hills where there is widespread poverty, unemployment, bare access to minimum needs, social oppression, injustice, corruption, exploitation and the overarching threat of Naxalite violence. Working with the local NGO, Manav Sewa Kendra, AVARD concentrates on the empowerment of women, SCs and STs – utilizing the Panchayati Raj institutions and involving the local administration.

A grant of Rs. 7.08 million was sanctioned in 2006-2007, for four years.