ABOUT US
In contemporary times, the beauty and tranquility of the Himalayas are at risk. Marginalized communities typically have limited economic opportunities and rely heavily on the natural resources in their immediate surroundings. This is particularly true in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. Overexploitation of these resources has exposed the region to significant risks such as landslides, earthquakes, and wildlife depletion. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the conservation of the flora and fauna in these noble yet fragile mountains to prevent various forms of threats to human lives. To restore the delicate balance between nature and human
activities, it is imperative that people actively and skillfully engage in the preservation of this precious Himalayan heritage. Youths and rural households must prepare themselves for self-employment and alternative occupations to sustain their livelihoods.
WHY WE ARE HERE
We are located in the fragile mountain regions, where we face significant challenges such as outmigration, poor economic growth, and a concerning decline in environmental sustainability. These issues have deeply impacted our communities, leading to a range of social and ecological problems.
Given these circumstances, we are committed to addressing these challenges head-on with a mission and vision centered on transformative change. Our goal is to foster sustainable development, improve economic conditions, and restore the environmental balance in these regions. By actively engaging with the community, we aim to create a better future for all, ensuring that our efforts lead to meaningful and lasting improvements in both the quality of life for residents and the health of our natural surroundings.
OURBELIEF
At HIFEED, we firmly believe that individuals possess the ability to not only transform themselves, but also their environment, while taking into account the needs of their local ecology. Economic growth, when pursued with proper consideration for the environment, need not degrade it. In fact, it can contribute to the growth of the habitat and improve the quality of the environment. This requires providing people with appropriate technology and operational skill transfers. In the case of skill transfers in mountainous areas, it is important to focus on women.
We recognize that poverty has a significant impact on human dignity and quality of life, which is why we place great emphasis on economic empowerment at HIFEED. We understand that good governance is crucial for bringing about sensitive transformation of societies and their surroundings, and we are open to partnerships with the government to promote sustainable development of local communities.
Furthermore, we believe that no community, area, or institution can exist in isolation, and we constantly strive to network with reputable institutions to achieve our goals.
TRANSFORMATION PROCESSESS THAT HIFEED ADOPTS FOR SUSTAINABLE RETENTION OF THE QUALITY LEARNING AND QUALITY GROWTH
1. Adherence to Sarvodaya Philosophy: HIFEED follows the Sarvodaya philosophy, emphasizing persuasion and leading by example before advocating practices to others.
2. Setting Model Examples: We create exemplary models that can be appropriately scaled and replicated in similar contexts to ensure broader impact and sustainability.
3.Respecting Human Values: We place the highest respect on human values, ensuring that our initiatives are inclusive, humane, and respectful of all individuals involved.
4.Learning from Experiences: We value both successes and failures as crucial learning opportunities, allowing us to continuously improve and adapt our strategies.
5.Proper Documentation: We maintain comprehensive documentation of our processes and outcomes with the dual purposes of future reference and ensuring transparency.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Himalayan Institute For Environment, Ecology & Development (HIFEED) is a research and development organization that has been working towards sustainable development, socio-economic upliftment, waste resource management, livelihood promotion, formation and promotion of farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs), drinking water and sanitation, promotion of rural and village tourism, training and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, conducting research studies and other
related areas across the country for the past 28 years, since 1995. The organization is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and uplifting mountain communities, regardless of their race, caste, creed, sex, community or religion. HIFEED is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with its registered office and headquarters located in Ranichauri, District Tehri Garhwal, in the state of Uttarakhand.
HIFEED was founded in 1995 by a group of experienced and renowned social scientists and professionals committed to promoting sustainable development and enhancing living conditions in the Himalayan region. The organization focuses on innovative research and development activities aimed at contributing to the betterment of mountain communities. The organization commenced its operations in Uttarakhand and subsequently expanded its presence to eleven states across the nation, sharing and disseminating its community-based experience and expertise with other regions of the country.
Over the last 28 years, the organization has gained a wealth of experience and expertise in project planning, designing, execution and implementation. The organization has implemented approximately 110 projects, programs and assignments across multiple sectors in various states of the country with the support of around 71 national and international organizations, such as different Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government of India, various State Governments, Corporate Enterprises (CSR), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), etc.
The project portfolio of the organization covers a broad range of initiatives, including small and large-scale projects, to meet the diverse requirements of various sectors. The range of project of the organization values from Rs. 1.00 Lakh to Rs. 12.00 Crores, indicates the organization’s capacity and capability to undertake projects of different scales and budgets.
In summary, HIFEED was established to address the environmental and socio-economic challenges faced by the Himalayan region and promote sustainable development in the area. The organization’s focus on improving the livelihoods of mountain communities, protecting the environment and ecology of the area, and providing development opportunities aligns with its vision, mission and objectives of transformation for the betterment.
VISION OF THE ORGANIZATION
The vision of the organization is to establish a sustainable model that ensures the preservation and sustainability of the Himalayan environment and its ecological system, while promoting community-centered approaches that supplement local livelihoods. Through awareness, empowerment, and collaboration, we strive to create a harmonious balance between environmental, social, and economic factors, and envision a future where the Himalayan ecosystem thrives and its communities reap the benefits of sustainable development.
MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
The mission of the organization is to promote sustainable development in the Himalayan region by empowering local communities to preserve their natural resources while enhancing their economic livelihoods. We aim to create a model of development that balances the needs of the environment, local communities, and the economy, through partnerships with stakeholders and implementation of programs promoting environmental awareness, community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
AIMS OF THE ORGANIZATION
The aims of the organization are to promote sustainable development in the Himalayan region while preserving its unique environmental and ecological heritage. Our aim is to empower the local communities to take an active role in preserving their natural resources while enhancing their economic livelihoods, thereby creating a model of development that balances the needs of the environment, local communities, and the economy.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION
The objective of the organization is to assess and build the capacity of the community to run various income-generation activities and enterprises for self-sustainability, promoting environmental awareness, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. We seek to collaborate with stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector, to ensure the long-term preservation of the region’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.
GOAL OF THE ORGANIZATION
Our ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy of sustainable development in the Himalayan region, where communities are empowered to preserve their environment and enhance their economic livelihoods, and where the natural resources of the region are preserved for future generations.
APPROACH OF THE ORGANIZATION
At HIFEED, we are committed to achieving our vision, mission, aims, objectives and goals through a well-defined approach and strategy. Our approach is based on the following principles:
i. Bottom-Up Approach: We strongly believe in empowering communities to identify their own needs and priorities. Our approach is centered on listening to the voices of the people we serve, and involving them in every stage of the project cycle.
ii. Need-Based Approach: Our projects are designed based on the needs of the community we serve. We ensure that our interventions are relevant, effective, and sustainable, and respond to the specific needs and priorities of the target group.
iii. Participatory Approach: We encourage active participation and engagement of all stakeholders, including beneficiaries, local authorities, and other relevant actors. We believe that collective action is key to achieving sustainable and impactful results.
iv. Participatory Planning: We involve communities in the planning process to ensure that our projects are designed with their active participation and ownership. We use participatory tools and techniques to facilitate a collaborative and inclusive planning process.
v. Transparency in Implementation: We follows a participatory approach involving stakeholders in planning, implementation and monitoring for transparent and accountable project implementation. We prioritize the use of participatory tools and encourage active participation from all actors. Continuous real-time monitoring and transparent partnerships ensure sustainable implementation.
vi. Concurrent Monitoring: We continuously monitor our projects to ensure that they are on track and achieving the desired results. We use real-time data to inform decision-making, and adjust our interventions as needed to ensure the achievement of our goals.
STRATEGY OF THE ORGANIZATION
Our strategy is to work closely with communities to implement projects that address their most pressing needs. We collaborate with donors whose values and priorities align with our own, and ensure that our fundraising efforts are consistent with our vision, mission, and objectives. We strive to build transparent and dignified partnerships with all stakeholders, including communities, local authorities, government institutions and NGOs.
We seek to engage the expertise of government institutions, research institutions, and international agencies to ensure that our projects are evidence-based and meet global standards of excellence. We recognize the importance of capacity building and invest in regular training programs for our staff and the communities we serve to develop relevant skill sets that empower them to drive positive change.
HIFEED is firmly committed to creating a future that is not only beneficial but also transparent, sustainable, and impactful for the communities it serves. By ensuring transparency, HIFEED maintains an open and honest dialogue with its stakeholders. HIFEED’s sustainability efforts include reducing its environmental footprint and supporting local communities in a way that is respectful and beneficial to all.
GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE AND WORKING AREA OF THE ORGANIZATION
In its early stage, the organization focused its efforts on serving the hilly areas of Uttarakhand. However, as we gained experience and expertise, we expanded our reach and became empanelled under various programs of the Government of India and State Governments. Through this, we developed the capacity and capability to take on open-ended projects, programs and assignments, allowing us to extend our services to other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Bihar, Kerala.
Over the years, we have undertaken a diverse range of assignments, including the formation and promotion of farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs), training and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, baseline surveys and studies, impact assessments, need assessments, research studies, micro-planning, preparation of detailed project reports, and IEC activities. Our team approaches each assignment with a tailored strategy, considering the unique needs and objectives of each community or group. Our goal is always to ensure that our interventions lead to meaningful and sustainable impact, improving the livelihoods and well-being of the people we serve.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION
The portfolio of the organization covers a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to the formation and promotion of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), monitoring and evaluation, baseline survey and studies, information education and communication (IEC), water and sanitation, solid, liquid and plastic waste management, rehabilitation and resettlement, women’s empowerment and child development, cultural development, vocational education and training, income and employment generation, training and capacity building, scientific research and studies, natural resource management, agriculture and horticulture development, animal husbandry and dairy development, health education and HIV/AIDS, technology development and dissemination, research and development, and preparation of CAT plans, micro plans, perspective plans, and DPRs.
HIFEED places a significant emphasis on conducting research, monitoring, evaluations, and assessments of development initiatives by the Government and non-governmental organizations. This is vital for assessing the results achieved, the utilization of resources, and the levels of capacity. With its team of professionals, HIFEED provides both long-term and short-term management support services to development initiatives. The organization specializes in creating multi-disciplinary teams, capable of addressing an assortment of needs in the areas of strategic planning, human resource and organizational development, research, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building and facilitation, financial management and documentation, etc.
One of the key areas of HIFEED’s expertise is developing and implementing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for projects and programs. The organization possesses expertise and experience in pre-funding, mid-term, and end-term project appraisals. It also develops and conducts training modules in domain and management-related areas.
HIFEED specializes in conducting participatory need assessments by eliciting perceptions and opinions from various stakeholders, including the target group. This exercise facilitates in identifying the actual needs of the community and target groups, and those spheres of their lives where support of an external agency is required to make a holistic and realistic intervention.
The organization believes that a holistic understanding of an issue or an area requires both qualitative and quantitative data. Thus, baseline surveys and PRA are complementary to each other. HIFEED conducts both participatory mid-term and end-line evaluations involving all major stakeholders, including institution leadership, functionaries, beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, and agencies linked with. The evaluations also make use of the Process Evaluation Research Technique.
HIFEED places great importance on monitoring, which leads to a greater degree of awareness of results and constant improvement through efficient and effective use of resources, ultimately fostering a sense of responsibility amongst the people. The organization’s team of professionals has in-depth domain expertise, which has helped in strategic planning at various levels.
In conclusion, HIFEED’s proven capacities in providing management support services, research, and monitoring and evaluation within the social sector, and its emphasis on conducting research, evaluations, and assessments, make it a valuable partner for NGOs and development initiatives.
