INITIATION: Democratic Action is a grassroots, non-profit organization committed to empowering marginalized and tribal communities in Nabarangpur district, Odisha. Established in 1999 with the vision of building a just and inclusive society, the organization works to promote dignity, equality, and self-reliance among excluded groups.
Its key interventions focus on livelihood promotion, sustainable agriculture, education, health, women’s empowerment, and social justice, ensuring holistic community development. Through participatory and transparent approaches, Democratic Action collaborates closely with local communities, government departments, and development partners to strengthen self-sufficiency and resilience at the village level. Guided by the belief that real change begins at the grassroots, Democratic Action continues to advocate for the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of vulnerable populations, enabling them to live with dignity, equality, and opportunity.
Our organization works towards sustainable development, social justice, and empowerment of vulnerable communities
Work with tribal communities for sustainable development ensuring food security through natural resource management and non-farm activities.
Facilitate quality education for children below 14 years and advocate for elimination of child labour.
Provide quality health services to people in collaboration with government and partner agencies.
Advocate with stakeholders to ensure human rights with special focus on tribal women and children.
Promote community-based disability rehabilitation for improving inclusion and independence.
Undertake study and research for development intervention to support migrant labour and their families.
Democratic Action believes in human dignity, liberty, equality, and universal fraternity, democracy, nationalism, Socialism. We uphold human rights, social justice, gender equality and protective and ameliorative laws for the marginalized and vulnerable sections of the society. Besides, we pledge to the concept of planned change of society in accordance with the principles of sustainable development based on value of love integrity, Transparency, science and technology, Democratic Action always works as change agent acting as friend, guide and philosopher of our stake holders and stand by the Principles of Empowerment of the people as an effective strategy of sustainable development that takes place when there is positive change in the knowledge, attitude and practice of development.
Our organization follows a transparent governance structure ensuring accountability and effective program implementation.
The Executive Committee of DA duly elected by the General Body consists of nine members with representation from professionals, team members, CBO leaders and community leaders.
The Executive Committee functions as the decision-making authority with the day-to-day management shouldered by the Secretary. The term of office of the Executive Committee is three years.
Mr. Sushanta Garada, Secretary, functions as the Chief Functionary looking after the day-to-day management of the organization.
Mr. Sushanta Garada, Secretary, Master in Social Work, having experience in Overall Management of projects and acquired the expertise on Natural Resources Management (NRM), SHG Formation & management, Watershed Management, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Human Resource Management, Disaster Management & livelihood
He is working for the economic enrichment of poor belonging to migrants and marginalized poor of backward KBK region under Odisha.