Washim
Farming Democracy, Harvesting Sustainability
- Hub
- Activity
- Model
- Citizens’ Assemblies
- Actors
- Rural communities
- Citizens and communities
- Social leaders
- Social organizations
- Purpuse
- Citizen empowerment and capacity building
- Citizen empowerment
- Civic capacity building
- Influencing public decision-making
- Public policy
- Strengthening democracy
- Democratic education
This deliberative process with farmers in Washim, India, exemplifies how deliberative democracy can empower rural communities and ensure their active participation in political decision-making—especially in crucial matters such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, and natural resource management.
KEY ELEMENTS
- Empowerment of farmers and active participation in decision-making
- Community-level generation of adaptive solutions.
- Promotion of sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
- Social innovation and inclusive public policies.
- Adaptation and mitigation in response to heat stress.
- Resolution of human-wildlife conflicts and biodiversity conservation.
- Strengthening of basic infrastructure.
- Advocacy for inclusive and participatory decision-making.
OUTCOMES
- This process enabled communities not only to identify and implement local adaptive solutions to climate challenges, but also to develop a strong sense of agency and active involvement in shaping public policies that directly affect their lives
- Through deliberation and collective action, this initiative laid the groundwork for sustainable social and political transformation—one that can inspire other communities in the region and beyond.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Innovations for Development (I4DEV), Center for Environment Education, Samvardhan Samaj Vikas Sanstha
KEY CONCEPTS
Contextual: Agricultural policy, sustainable practices, food security, reforestation, biodiverse farming.
On Democracy: Active participation, inclusive policymaking, local resilience, continuous consultation and engagement mechanisms.
