Overview

Who We Are

HID Forum is a not for profit social development organisation based out of Bengaluru. Rooted in Karnataka and Telangana states, we partner with the most marginalised and vulnerable communities like Women, Adivasis, Dalits (Manual Scavengers, Devadasi Women), Transpersons, Informal Sector Workers, Semi Nomadic Tribes and other minorities. Our engagements include partnering with civil society organisations like NGOs, CBOs, unions, people’s collectives and informal groups who work with these vulnerable communities.

We recognize the various identities and intersectionalities that play out in the construction of identity, dignity and diversity that have direct impact on marginal communities. We believe that the role of civil society organisations in India needs to continuously change to address the changes in the social, economic, political and cultural arena.

By positioning vulnerable and marginal communities at the center, HIDF posits institutional and human processes i.e. changes that need to happen at ‘individual - group – collective and at system level’.

We are a lean and small team of in-house dedicated professionals who plan, manage and execute various programmes. We also have a large pool of colleagues and associates who are based across India. They enable us to respond to the needs of communities and organisations. This makes our work interesting as we are able to foray into a variety of geographic and thematic arenas.

Our Journey

The concept of developing a resource for actors in the development sector, to avail support in strengthening specific areas for efficient and effective functioning, emerged among a group of professional associates in the late 90s. This was sparked by the realisation that like all organisations, those that fall within the ambit of actualising social development and transformation are also in continuous need of organisational development, institution building and human resource development support to make them adaptable and meaningful. As first steps, several working groups were formed. They collaborated on understanding and developing knowledge and usable technologies in the domain of organisational development and institution building, embedded in the niche area of social development. Their efforts eventually led to the setting up of HID Forum which was registered in 2002.

HID Forum began as a national level organisation and engaged with various organisations across India. Given the current changes in the external environment, HIDF went through a strategic direction change in the year 2019. Currently HID Forum focusses in Karnataka and Telengana states for it’s grassroots engagement. A few competency building programmes continue to be offered at a national level.

HID Forum creates and facilitates spaces for individuals and institutions to learn and grow together; accompanies marginal and vulnerable communities, civil society organisations, builds competencies and supports systemic change through grassroots and policy level interventions.

We have made the forum an exciting place to be associated with. There is passion for excellence and a culture of mutual appreciation with minimal hierarchy and a tremendous sense of ownership.

To empower the poor, marginalised and discriminated sections of Indian society to live a life with dignity. We aim this through developing and enhancing the competencies of individuals, groups and organisations in their endeavour to bring about social change through development processes.

We believe that the strategies we use help us actualise our vision.