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Learn About Us
Chale Chalo (two inspiring Hindi words meaning “Let’s Move Forward”) is a grassroots voluntary organisation driven by strong passion and professional commitment towards inclusive and sustainable development. Established on 21 April 2005 under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, the organisation has been working across the drought-prone western and cyclone-prone coastal regions of Odisha, addressing critical challenges such as poverty, inequality, disasters, inadequate access to quality services, climate vulnerability, and environmental degradation.
Since its inception, Chale Chalo has remained dedicated to empowering communities through participatory and equitable development processes. It collaborates closely with communities and key stakeholders to co-create transformative solutions, with a focus on quality education, health and nutrition, water and food security, sustainable livelihoods, environmental conservation, and climate resilience.
Our mission is to empower marginalised and vulnerable communities in disaster-prone regions of Odisha to secure their rights and entitlements; build climate resilience through mangrove and topsoil restoration; strengthen water and food security; improve quality education, health, and nutrition; and foster natural resource conservation and ecosystem resilience through equitable, inclusive, community-led development initiatives that advance human dignity, gender and social justice, and sustainable livelihoods for present and future generations.
Chale Chalo envisions a poverty-free future rooted in gender and social equity, human rights, dignity, and ecological balance. Through grassroots action, we drive sustainable development practices that foster nature conservation, community-led water, livelihoods, and food security systems, and holistic human development to build resilient communities in disaster-prone regions of Odisha, India.
Guided by five core value pillars: Good Governance and Institutional Excellence; Human Dignity, Equity and Social Justice; Participation, Collaboration and Mutual Support; Peace, Democracy and Rule of Law; and Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability.
To build self-reliant, resilient and equitable communities by ensuring: quality education, health and nutrition; water and food security; sustainable livelihoods; access to rights and entitlements; natural resource conservation, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem resilience, through empowerment, equity, and inclusive and sustainable development practices.
Rooted. Responsive. Resilient.
At Chale Chalo, we believe that sustainable development requires more than just interventions. What makes us unique is our ability to combine diverse strategies, partnerships, and community participation into a holistic approach that creates lasting impact, resilience, and security for communities.
Poverty is never one-dimensional; so neither is our response. We work across livelihoods, natural resources, environment, governance, education, health, and social empowerment. By integrating sustainability and resilience at every step, we support communities to overcome present challenges and prepare confidently for future social, economic, and climate risks.
Communities lead the process at every stage. From planning to implementation and monitoring, people remain at the centre. Through capacity building and continuous support, communities take ownership and sustain progress beyond the project cycle.
We nurture strong relationships with local institutions, government systems, and community leaders to strengthen accountability and transparency. We also collaborate with NGOs and civil society organisations in Odisha, across India, and globally, building knowledge-sharing networks that deepen collective impact.
We focus on impact that goes beyond numbers. By combining innovation, local knowledge, and collective action, we strengthen livelihoods, protect dignity, and promote long-term social, ecological, and economic well-being.
Conserving and restoring ecosystems to build climate resilience.
We are grateful to our partners who stand with us in building a sustainable furture for marginalized communities. Together, we drive progress through shared values, collective actions and lasting impact.
Interested in collaborating with us? We are always open to forging new partnerships that align with our mission and values. Get in touch to explore how we can work together.
Where We Work
From coastal ecosystems to drought-prone interiors, CHALE CHALO works in ecologically distinct and climate- and disaster-prone regions of Odisha.
Currently, CHALE CHALO works in 93 villages and hamlets in three disaster-prone districts of Odisha - Nuapada, Kalahandi, and Kendrapara. Our presence reflects the realities of both water scarcity and coastal vulnerability. In each region, we address the specific needs of communities and strengthen long-term resilience.
A drought-prone and water-stressed district where we focus on:
A climate-vulnerable interior district where we focus on:
A coastal and disaster-prone district where we focus on:
Khariar (Nuapada) & Madanpur (Kendrapara)
Bhubaneswar
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How women and communities across Nuapada strengthened water access, livelihoods, forest restoration, and climate resilience through collective action and micro water security planning.
Stories of joyful learning, teacher leadership, and parental engagement that helped children gain confidence, foundational skills, and a love for learning.
From severe malnutrition recovery to safe motherhood and breastfeeding support, these stories highlight how timely intervention saved lives and improved family well-being.
