The Decentralization Community was indispensable in assisting a state-wide network of voluntary organizations launch a project to prepare a Handbook on Social Audit of NREGS by Panchayats…

Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members are sometimes unaware of how to monitor government schemes that are implemented at the local level, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). To assist them, the Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Action Network (UPVAN), a state-wide network of voluntary organizations, launched a project to prepare a Handbook on Social Audit of NREGS by Panchayats.  Anurag Mishra, a member of UPVAN engaged with this activity posted a query, seeking experiences and examples of such handbooks from members.

In just six days, 18 members responded sharing their knowledge and experience. UPVAN used the community member’s inputs, to prepare the Handbook and now uses the Handbook to train the staff of the NGOs, who are members of the network.