Building a Just, Equitable & Sustainable World for Everyone

For over five decades, Action Aid Association has been at the forefront of India's fight against poverty, injustice, and inequality. We work directly with the most marginalized communities across 25 states and 2 union territories.

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₹8.7M raised of ₹11.2M goal

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Our Mission & Vision

Action Aid Association works with a vision of a world without poverty, patriarchy, and injustice, where every person enjoys the right to life with dignity.

Established in 1972, Action Aid Association (formerly Action Aid India) is a part of the global Action Aid federation. We are registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860. Our work is grounded in a human rights-based approach, focusing on the most marginalized sections of society including women, children, Dalits, Adivasis, and religious minorities.

With over 1,200 dedicated staff and thousands of community volunteers, we implement long-term development programs and emergency humanitarian responses across India. Our interventions are designed to address systemic causes of poverty and inequality.

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Action Aid team meeting with community members

Our Core Values

These principles guide every aspect of our work and decision-making processes.

Social Justice

We challenge unequal power relations and discrimination based on gender, caste, class, religion, and ethnicity.

Feminist Leadership

We promote women's leadership and work to transform patriarchal structures at all levels of society.

Accountability

We are accountable first and foremost to the communities we work with, ensuring transparency in all operations.

Sustainability

Our programs are designed for long-term impact, focusing on environmental sustainability and community ownership.

Our Key Program Areas

We implement integrated programs addressing interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality, and injustice.

Women's Rights & Leadership

We work to strengthen women's collective agency, challenge gender-based violence, and promote women's economic empowerment and political participation. Our programs support formation of women's collectives, legal aid, and leadership training.

Current initiatives include the "Sakhi Sangathan" program operating in 12 states, reaching over 150,000 women annually. We focus on addressing systemic barriers that prevent women from realizing their full rights and potential.

  • Gender-based violence prevention
  • Women's economic collectives
  • Leadership & political participation

Quality Public Education

We advocate for and support implementation of the Right to Education Act, working to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all children, especially girls and those from marginalized communities.

Our education programs reach over 200,000 children across 8 states. We work with government schools, provide remedial support, train teachers, and mobilize communities to demand better educational infrastructure and outcomes.

  • Early childhood education
  • Girls' education retention
  • Teacher capacity building

Sustainable Livelihoods

We promote climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural practices and non-farm livelihoods that enhance food security and income for smallholder farmers, particularly women and marginalized communities.

Our livelihoods program supports over 75,000 families across 15 states. We promote organic farming, seed sovereignty, farmer producer organizations, and market linkages while advocating for farmers' rights and fair policies.

  • Climate-resilient agriculture
  • Farmer producer organizations
  • Non-farm enterprise development

Habitat & Resilience

We work with urban and rural communities to secure tenure rights, access basic services, and build resilience to climate change and disasters. Our habitat programs focus on the right to adequate housing and sustainable settlements.

We support community-led enumerations, advocacy for housing rights, and disaster risk reduction planning. Our programs have enabled over 50,000 families to secure housing rights and access to basic services.

  • Housing rights advocacy
  • Disaster risk reduction
  • Access to water & sanitation

Public Health & Nutrition

We work to strengthen public health systems and promote community health, with a focus on maternal and child health, nutrition, and access to healthcare for marginalized communities.

Our health programs operate in 10 states, reaching over 300,000 people annually. We work on anemia prevention, immunization, community monitoring of health services, and addressing malnutrition through locally available foods.

  • Maternal & child health
  • Nutrition security
  • Community health monitoring

Humanitarian Response

We provide emergency relief and recovery support to communities affected by disasters and conflicts, with a focus on the most vulnerable. Our humanitarian work follows the core humanitarian standards and principles.

Action Aid Association has responded to major disasters including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide immediate relief while supporting long-term recovery and building community resilience.

  • Emergency relief distribution
  • Psychosocial support
  • Recovery & rehabilitation

Our Impact in Numbers

Last year, together with our partners and supporters, we reached millions of people across India.

2.8M

People Reached

1,247

Village Communities

68

Districts Across India

312

Local Partners

Latest News & Stories

Stay updated with our work, impact stories, and advocacy initiatives.

Women's collective meeting in rural India
Women's Rights March 15, 2024
Sakhi Sangathan: Transforming Gender Relations in Rural Bihar

Our women's collective program in Bihar has empowered over 15,000 women to challenge patriarchal norms, access economic opportunities, and participate in local governance.

Read Full Story
Children studying in a classroom
Education February 28, 2024
Bridge Classes Help 1,200 Out-of-School Children Return to Education in Rajasthan

Our innovative bridge program in partnership with government schools has successfully reintegrated children from marginalized communities into the formal education system.

Read Full Story
Farmers in field with organic produce
Livelihoods January 12, 2024
Climate-Resilient Farming Increases Incomes for 5,000 Smallholder Farmers in Odisha

Through promotion of traditional millet cultivation and organic practices, farmers have seen a 40% increase in income while improving soil health and biodiversity.

Read Full Story

Get In Touch

We welcome partnerships, volunteer opportunities, and inquiries about our work.

Head Office

Action Aid Association
R-7, Hauz Khas Enclave,
New Delhi - 110016, India

Contact Details

Phone: +91-11-46558400

Fax: +91-11-26856777

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

Regional Offices

Eastern Region

Kolkata, West Bengal
Phone: +91-33-40054800

Southern Region

Bengaluru, Karnataka
Phone: +91-80-25492700

Western Region

Mumbai, Maharashtra
Phone: +91-22-26830400

Central Region

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Phone: +91-755-4278900

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