A one-day inauguration and orientation program for the “Capacity building of civil society organizations towards promoting awareness and assisting the weaker sections of the society in availing their entitlements and welfare schemes, was held on 29 October, 2021, coordinated by Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmed Nagar, Aurangabad.

This project aims at promoting awareness and helping at least 45,000 people in Aurangabad and nearby places in the state of Maharashtra, to access their rightful benefits from various welfare schemes of both the central and state governments. In addition, it will build the capacity of the selected 120 CSOs in empowering the weaker sections in accessing their rightful entitlements. Delegates from 30 civil society organizations (CSOs), selected as the ToT CSOs participated. Several Dignitaries were present for the Inauguration: Fr. Santhanam (Asst. Director Bosconet), Mr. Louis Manohar (National coordinator for CSO Project Bosconet), Dr. Suresh Pathare (Director of Centre for Studies in Rural Development, Ahmednagar), Mr. Rajendra Pawar (Social Activists), Alex Gonsalves (Social Activist), George Dabreo (Director Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra). Fr. George Dabreo, Director of Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra welcomed all the dignitaries and the participants and briefed them about the works of BGVK and the current CSO project.

Fr Santhanam explained briefly about the Civil Society Organizations Capacity Building Project. He explained the involvement of different provinces of Salesian India and articulated the importance and benefits of networking. Mr Louis Manohar then explained the objectives, modus operandi of the CSO project, results to be achieved, roles of the CSOs and the TOTs, etc. Dr. Suresh Pathare spoke about the vital role played by NGOs in the society, various ideologies and the core values to be followed by CSO’s, the need of capacity building for the CSOs, TOTs and the general population.