RGVN since inception has been actively promoting and developing NGOs and people’s institutions. During a time when people’s organizations did not exist or were in a fledgling state, a trajectory of NGO growth and development was devised and organizations developed accordingly. As a result of this, the credit for the development and growth of many NGOs in Eastern India can rightfully go to RGVN. RGVN has also devised a tool for the assessment of NGOs and MFIs enabling categorization and chalked out a development path for NGOs/MFIs.

Over the years RGVN is considered as a Microfinance Resource Organization as it provides training and help to Organizations treading the MFI route.  RGVN’s direct microfinance operations to SHGs and JLGs, under the Credit and Savings Programme in the North East, is being hived off under an NBFC. Its MF operations in Orissa had already been hived off as a women’s cooperative under MACS. Both these bodies are today profit earning entities with the stakeholding of communities.

RGVN develops human resources, builds systems, provides training and forges relationships with financial institutions and banks. Four such MFIs are being developed in Orissa through the support of HIVOS.

All of RGVN’s livelihood programmes have 80% of women clientele as it is RGVN’s mandate to develop women’s livelihoods and make them conscious contributors to society. RGVN works towards creating an environment where women can live with dignity and pursue their dreams to enjoy a meaningful life.

RGVN was involved in Social Impact Assessment and Community Development Plan for Industry. RGVN had worked on a Social Impact Assessment for Calcom Cements, proposed to be the largest cement industry in the NE.

RGVN has a Gender Budget Analysis Centre (GBAC) which tracks state government budgets of the North Eastern states with a view to engendering budgets. RGVN GBAC has conducted various awareness programmes and gender sensitization programmes, apart from  documentation pertaining to gender, gender budgeting and related issues.

RGVN’s Volunteer and Fellowship Programmes are designed to create a cadre of development professionals who learn “on the job”. The Programmes provide an opportunity to work as apprentices in RGVN’s offices and outreach centres, by providing a small stipend to such socially motivated individuals. Similarly, many MBA Programmes and Universities send their students to RGVN for summer training and research work.

RGVN is involved in promoting System of Rice Intensification (SRI) with 20 NGO partners in Assam since April, 2008 with initial fund support from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).  SRI method is very well accepted by the farmers of Assam as rice yield is almost more than double in almost all cases. There is a demand for more demonstrations and many other NGOs have shown interest to collaborate in this project. RGVN is also keen to expand this programme as this would help in addressing the issue of food security in the Northeast.  Moreover SRI method is found to be environment friendly as less methane gas is released.

Even today many parts of East and Northeast India lack electrification which is a very basic amenity for a decent and dignified living. In most rural areas, the supply is intermittent or absent.  RGVN is deeply concerned with this issue and has made an attempt to address this issue though in a very small scale. RGVN plans to take up a programme for providing solar lighting and is exploring partnership and collaboration in this regard. This small intervention would ultimately provide longer working hours and trigger the development process. Many of our weavers, craftsmen and their children would benefit.  Apart from fulfilling the need for light – solar lights are environment friendly and goes with world wide concern for climate change and environment degradation. 

In order to mitigate the ill effects of global warming and to conserve electricity, RGVN is also making a sincere attempt to spread the use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

Decent sanitary conditions and hygienic living conditions is a prerequisite for a reasonably decent quality of life along with sustainable livelihood.  With this thought RGVN has ventured into low cost sanitation though on a very small scale now.  RGVN’s operational areas are remote, and there are not enough development institutions working in those areas. RGVN being familiar with those areas and having developed a network of NGOs/CBOs/SHGs over the years is in an advantageous position to work in these far flung areas on sanitation along with livelihood enhancement, ultimately leading to all-round development. RGVN is exploring partnership and collaboration with organizations showing interest in sanitation and hygiene.