SPS has a long-standing commitment to building and strengthening networks that connect grassroots organisations, practitioners, government institutions and development partners. These networks enable cross-learning, strengthen collective action, improve implementation, and help bring grassroots experience into wider policy and practice.
National Consortium of Civil Society Organisations for MGNREGA
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides a legally protected, demand-driven right to employment and has the potential to transform rural livelihoods at an unprecedented scale. However, limited awareness among workers and implementation challenges at the Gram Panchayat level can prevent communities from fully accessing their entitlements.
To address these challenges, SPS established the National Consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for MGNREGA in 2007. The Consortium brings together 58 CSO partners working across 87 blocks in 55 of the most backward districts in 11 states, reaching approximately 750,000 families. SPS provides technical support, capacity building and social empowerment to its partner organisations.
The Consortium goes beyond the traditional watchdog role of civil society by supporting improvements across the MGNREGA implementation cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring and social audit. It also promotes partnerships between grassroots CSOs and Gram Panchayats. Its work has contributed to greater awareness of workers’ entitlements, improved quality of MGNREGA assets, and stronger planning and implementation of works. The Consortium’s reports, released in 2009 and 2011 by the respective Union Ministers for Rural Development, contributed to policy discussions and reforms related to MGNREGA. Its engagement with state governments has also helped strengthen collaboration between government and civil society.
Nature Positive Management (NPM) Network
SPS is also strengthening a network of civil society organisations working to promote NPM of agriculture. The network enables organisations to share experiences, strengthen NPM practices, build collective learning and enhance the credibility and transparency of the wider NPM movement. The NPM network currently includes 25 partner organisations working with approximately 25,000 farmers across 15 states, covering 48 agricultural products, including cereals, millets, pulses and spices.
Water Practitioners’ Network
In partnership with the Hindustan Unilever Foundation, SPS established the Water Practitioners’ Network (WPN), bringing together water practitioners from across India. The network seeks to build broad-based engagement on water issues at both grassroots and policy levels. WPN provides a platform for practitioners to share field experiences, learn from one another and collectively advance the principles of democratisation of water and water as a common good. By consolidating diverse experiences and knowledge, the network contributes to stronger community-centred approaches to water governance and security.
Responsible Coalition for Resilient Communities
SPS is a partner in the Responsible Coalition for Resilient Communities (RCRC), a collaborative platform focused on strengthening community resilience to climate change, environmental degradation and livelihood vulnerabilities. Through knowledge exchange, joint learning and collaborative action, the partnership promotes locally rooted, climate-resilient and community-led development approaches across rural India.
SANGAM-MP
SPS is also part of SANGAM-MP (Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Farming Manch – Madhya Pradesh), a collaborative platform that brings together government agencies, civil society organisations, technical institutions and development partners to advance sustainable agriculture and natural farming in Madhya Pradesh. SANGAM-MP provides a space for coordinated action, knowledge sharing, joint learning and policy engagement on agroecological and natural farming approaches. Its partners include AKRSP-India, Consortium for Agroecological Transformations (CONORG), India Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), GIZ India, National Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF), Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), Samaj Pragati Sahayog (SPS), SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action), and WASSAN.
Connecting Experience, Knowledge and Action: Through these networks and partnerships, SPS connects grassroots experience with wider knowledge and learning, strengthens collective action, supports institutional capacity, and contributes to policy dialogue. Together, these platforms help advance community-led solutions for employment, water security, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and inclusive rural development.
