Jan Madhyam, an ISO 9001:2015 Certified and the UNDP-SGP Innovation 2025 Award-winning organisation in India, works on rural development and aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on their work, they primarily contribute to the following SDGs:
SDG 1: No Poverty
Jan Madhyam's core mission involves uplifting the livelihoods of vulnerable sections of rural India, tackling the root causes of poverty, and providing support to economically backward people. Their work in livelihood programs and assisting tribal communities directly addresses poverty eradication.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
They support the identification of common land to promote the development of Community Nutrition Gardens, which helps ensure the availability of nutrients, particularly for women. This directly relates to ending hunger and achieving food security.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Jan Madhyam addresses health and nutrition problems, having played a role in distributing disposable masks, medicines, and oxygen cylinders during the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing free meals during lockdown periods. Their work on community nutrition gardens also ties into this goal.
SDG 4: Quality Education
Jan Madhyam emphasizes education as key to breaking the poverty cycle and improving opportunities for children. They have a scholarship scheme for poor disabled scholars and work on improving health, nutrition, income, and opportunities for children.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
While not explicitly stated as a primary focus, their work with women's self-help groups (SHGs) and efforts to improve nutrition for women in their growing stage contribute to empowering women and girls.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Jan Madhyam has been involved in developing Composite Water Resource Management plans, including surface water conservation and groundwater recharge, which directly relates to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Their livelihood programs and initiatives to create income-generating opportunities for rural communities, particularly tribal communities, contribute to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Jan Madhyam works with tribal communities who face risks from climate change and its negative impacts on crop yields and food availability. They are also involved in sustainable soil management practices, which can contribute to climate action.
SDG 15: Life on Land
Their work on sustainable soil management practices, including the ProSoil project, and efforts in forest buffer zones to reduce human-wildlife conflict, contribute to protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
A significant focus of Jan Madhyam is on the inclusion of persons with disabilities, ensuring their dignity, providing access to services, promoting self-advocacy and economic self-sufficiency, and addressing their unique needs. While not a standalone SDG, this cross-cutting theme is crucial for achieving many SDGs, particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
In summary, Jan Madhyam's work is deeply intertwined with several key SDGs, focusing on holistic rural development, poverty alleviation, health, education, water management, sustainable agriculture, and the inclusion of marginalized communities, particularly persons with disabilities.
