Page 33 - HUDCO Award for Best Practices - 2024

THEME: HOUSING, URBAN POVERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Cultural Sustainability: The project fosters cultural sustainability by promoting awareness and understanding of transgender rights
and issues within society. Through legal awareness campaigns, cultural sensitization workshops, and community outreach programs,
the project aims to challenge cultural norms and stereotypes surrounding gender identity and expression, thereby fostering a more
inclusive and accepting cultural environment. APSWDP has been organizing various events like Swachh Holi with transgender
community in order to make their culture intact alongside of their mainstreaming.

Environmental Sustainability: While the primary focus of the project is on social and legal empowerment, efforts are made to
ensure environmental sustainability by adopting eco-friendly practices in Kendra operations. This may include minimizing paper
usage, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing waste management strategies to reduce the project’s environmental footprint.
Though TG SHGs are being roped in the cleanliness campaign in the city under SBM too.

Institutional Sustainability: Institutional sustainability is maintained through the establishment of robust governance structures and
partnerships with relevant stakeholders. By collaborating with government agencies, legal institutions, civil society organizations,
and community leaders, the project builds institutional capacity and fosters a supportive ecosystem for sustainable service delivery.
Additionally, the project invests in capacity building and training initiatives to ensure the continued effectiveness and relevance of
the Kendra’s activities in the long run.

Transferability

The Samta Nyay Kendra project offers valuable insights and lessons that can be applied to similar initiatives addressing the legal needs
of marginalized communities. Its transferability lies in the following aspects:
• Replicable Model: The project’s model of establishing legal aid clinics exclusively for the transgender community can be
replicated in other regions and jurisdictions with similar legal frameworks and social contexts. By adapting the project’s
approach to local needs and sensitivities, similar initiatives can effectively address the legal challenges faced by transgender
individuals elsewhere.
• Collaborative Partnerships: The project’s success is attributed to its collaborative partnerships with government agencies,
legal institutions, and civil society organizations. This collaborative approach can be replicated in other settings to leverage
resources, expertise, and support for sustainable implementation. In the project, partnership was built with the Regional
Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM) under Ministry of Cooperation, Govt. of India for capacity building and
training of TGs on cooperatives and Self-Help Groups.

• Capacity Building: The project’s emphasis on capacity building, including training for legal professionals, para-legal
volunteers, and community members, is essential for ensuring the effective delivery of legal aid services. Similar initiatives
can prioritize capacity building to enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders involved in legal empowerment efforts.
LESSONS LEARNED

Community Engagement: The project highlights the importance of community engagement and participation in legal empowerment
initiatives. By involving transgender individuals in decision-making processes, outreach activities, and awareness campaigns, the
project builds trust, ownership, and sustainability within the community.

Legal Awareness: A key lesson learned is the significance of legal awareness and education in empowering marginalized communities.
By providing legal literacy programs and workshops, the project equips transgender individuals with the knowledge and tools to
navigate the legal system and assert their rights effectively.

Holistic Approach: The project’s holistic approach, which combines legal aid with psychosocial support, counselling, and referral
services, underscores the importance of addressing the multifaceted needs of marginalized populations. Similar initiatives can adopt
a comprehensive approach that addresses the social, economic, and psychological dimensions of legal empowerment.

In summary, the Samta Nyay Kendra project offers valuable insights into the transferability of its model and the lessons learned
in promoting sustainable legal empowerment for marginalized communities. By leveraging collaborative partnerships, prioritizing
community engagement, and adopting a holistic approach, similar initiatives can effectively address the legal needs of marginalized
populations and promote social justice and inclusion.

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