About RISE

Our Story

Rooted in rural communities

Rural Institute of Social Empowerment (RISE) is a non-profit organization working with poor and marginalized communities in rural India. We focus on women, Dalit and tribal families, children, youth, and persons with disabilities.

[Placeholder: Add RISE's founding year, founders, registration details and the districts/states where it operates. Replace this paragraph with the organization's verified background.]

Our approach is participatory and community-led. We believe lasting change happens when communities identify their own priorities and lead their own development.

Our Vision

To build resilient rural communities where Women, Farmers, Youth, and Children have equitable access to healthcare, educational equity, and sustainable livelihoods, while promoting regenerative agriculture, environmental sustainability, vocational skills, and community-driven development.”

Our Mission

Empowering rural communities, women, youth, children, and farmers, through healthcare, inclusive education, and sustainable livelihoods. Using regenerative agriculture, climate-resilient agriculture techniques, and skill-building, we foster economic resilience and inclusive growth through local participation.

What Guides Us

Our core values

Dignity

We treat every community member with respect and uphold their right to live with dignity.

Participation

Communities lead their own development; we facilitate, not dictate.

Equity & Inclusion

We prioritize the most marginalized — women, Dalits, tribals and persons with disabilities.

Accountability

We are transparent with communities, donors and partners, and we measure our impact.

Sustainability

We build local capacity so that change endures beyond any single project.

Gender Sensitivity

Gender equality is woven through every programme we deliver.

Governance

Leadership & structure

RISE is governed by an Executive Committee that provides strategic direction and oversight.

Brief History

In 1999, a group of socially committed young people came together with a shared concern for the persistent challenges faced by rural communities, including poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to basic services. Through a series of discussions and consultations, they recognized the need for a formal, community-based organization that could systematically address these issues and promote sustainable development. To ensure credibility, accountability, legal recognition, and effective mobilization of resources for rural development initiatives, they decided to establish and register the Rural Institute of Social Empowerment (RISE). Accordingly, RISE was registered on 7 May 1999 under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, with Registration No. 101/1999.

Legal Status

Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 1975.
Sections 12A and 12AA of the Income Tax Act 1961 — 12A registration number AAATR9312GE20221, dated 24-05-2022.
Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 — 80G registration number AAATR9312GF20221, dated 25-05-2022.
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) — registration number 075920007, dated 01-10-2022.
NGO Darpan Unique ID: TN/2017/0170062.
PAN: AAATR9312G.
CSR registration number: CSR 48237, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.

Objectives

To promote the welfare and development of rural communities, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, including women and children, through gender equality initiatives and community empowerment programs.
To improve healthcare access by implementing targeted public health advocacy and nutritional support programs.
To establish training centres and infrastructure that support vocational training programs, digital literacy training, and sustainable livelihoods.
To foster sustainable development through self-help groups, income generation opportunities, and microfinance programs for women entrepreneurs.
To conduct capacity-building programs that empower communities to drive long-term environmental sustainability and community-based poverty reduction.

Activities

Livelihood and Skill Development Initiatives

Promotion and linkage of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under NABARD, Chennai.
Mobilising resources for SHGs to initiate income-generating activities.
Vocational training (VTP) in rexene bag making, screen printing, tailoring & fashion dressmaking,
Computer education for rural young women and girls.
Establishing and supporting income-generating units.

Awareness and Capacity-Building Programs

Organising awareness camps on community welfare and development.
Conducting health education and awareness camps.
Education camps on economic empowerment and entrepreneurship development.
Promoting organic farming awareness initiatives.
Community Action for Health under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) surveys with NABARD support.
Village Development Program under NABARD, Chennai.
Vazhi Kattum Thittam program.

Achievements

100 women's self-help groups carry out small savings, internal lending, and bank linkages for economic activities.
Eye camps organised with eye hospitals: 200 patients benefited, 50 of them receiving cost-free spectacles.
250 women and girls trained in tailoring and handwork.
100 women are self-employed and sustain their livelihoods throughout the year.
100 women produce dresses through regular orders from the District Social Welfare Office, Ariyalur.

Networking and Institutional Participation

VISAKA Committee.
District-Level Vigilance & Monitoring Committee.
District-Level Child Protection Committee.
District-Level One Stop Centre Committee.
District-Level Health & Social Welfare Committee.