Volunteer with a rural empowerment movement in Maharashtra, India
Rural India – This is an opportunity to support a farmer movement that has been working for many years for rural empowerment in India. Volunteers help promote women empowerment projects, girls’ education projects and ecological projects in the villages of Maharashtra.
Important: this call was originally for a 2-month mission in April–May 2020. The movement is still active, but this specific volunteer offer may be outdated. Always contact the organizers to ask about current possibilities, dates and conditions before making plans.
Volunteer roles
We are seeking international volunteers to:
- Film making: realise short communication films on local development projects in Maharashtra villages.
- Design communication materials such as posters and presentations.
In addition to the work experience, volunteers experience the day to day life of villagers and gain an experiential understanding of rural areas.
About VCDM
VCDM is a citizen movement in rural India which facilitates development projects in the villages of Maharashtra. VCDM aims to support inhabitants to identify their problems and collectively build projects to improve daily life. The association relies on local social workers called “animators”, who are themselves villagers and share the same environment and challenges. They are trained to facilitate development projects in the villages.
Examples of projects
- Creating water management structures to reduce soil erosion and raise water levels in wells and rivers.
- Improving access to village governance for people from socio-economically challenged backgrounds.
- Tailoring skill-development training for rural women to support financial independence.
Profile of the applicant
- Flexible, adaptable and curious
- Sense of initiative and socially minded
- Experience in communication videos is preferred
- Good spoken and written English
- Knowledge of software such as Photoshop or InDesign is a plus
Conditions of the volunteership
- No financial remuneration
- Food and accommodation in Pune are provided; volunteers also stay overnight and have meals in villages during filming and visits
- Volunteers are accompanied in the villages by a local person speaking English and Marathi
- Mission length mentioned: 2 months from April to May 2020 (dates were flexible)
Contact details
This listing may be outdated. Information about dates, tasks and requirements can change. Please write to the organizers to ask about current volunteer needs.
Apply (original deadline was 31 January 2020) by sending a cover letter and CV in English to:
paulinecharriot AT gmail DOT com
More about VCDM: vcdmindia.org
Facebook (movement): VCDM – Village Community Development Movement
Facebook (contact): Pauline Charriot