Wellbeing of People and Planet, above all else!

Rural Economy Restoration Wing

Our mission is to build resilient, inclusive, and future-ready rural economies that uphold dignity, sustainability, and shared prosperity for both people and the planet.

At RACLD, we believe that a vibrant democracy cannot thrive without a strong and self-reliant local economy, for sustainable democracy depends on sustainable livelihoods.

The Rural Economy Restoration Wing works to revive local economies and restore the economic sovereignty of villages and Panchayats by linking democratic governance with sustainable, community-led development.

Inspired by Gandhian economics and J.C. Kumarappa‘s ―economy of permanence,‖ we promote models where local production, local consumption, and local governance operate in harmony. Through Panchayat-based planning, enterprise incubation, training, and partnerships with government and market institutions, we enable rural citizens, especially women and youth to move from wage dependence to enterprise ownership.

We view every village as a living economic ecosystem, where skills, small enterprises, and local resource value chains thrive through collective organization, knowledge, and fair market access.

Across India, data on development indicators often remains fragmented, outdated, or inaccessible to those who need it most — the government and local institutions responsible for implementation. RACLD bridges this gap by commissioning high-quality research, facilitating community-owned data systems, and building analytic capacity at the grassroots. Our approach goes beyond research for its own sake: we translate data into tools for planning, monitoring, and reform. Through participatory analytics, digital platforms, and evidence-based planning, we ensure that data is not just collected but owned, understood, and acted upon by communities themselves.

Our Philosophy of Rural Economy

At RACLD, we believe that true development must be rooted in the lived realities, wisdom, and aspirations of local communities. Our philosophy brings together three fundamentals:

Regeneration, Not Extraction

We work to restore ecological health, soil fertility, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge systems — ensuring that economic activity heals rather than harms.

People at the Centre

Communities are not beneficiaries but co-creators and owners of their development. We support them in reclaiming agency over their livelihoods, markets, and institutions.

Local Strength, Local Identity

Every village has unique strengths — crops, crafts, food traditions, ecosystems, stories. We build on these to create village-specific economic models that are culturally rooted and economically viable.

RACLD stands for sustainability with dignity, development that strengthens local democracy, and prosperity that regenerates both people and planet.

Why Rural Economy Restoration Matters 

Our Interventions

Addressing Rural Marginalization

Many rural areas face economic exclusion. By restoring local economic structures, we help communities reclaim agency over their development.

Ecological-Regenerative Synergy

Economic development need not come at the cost of the environment. Our model integrates ecological restoration (farming, food processing, tourism, crafts) with livelihood creation.

Sustainability Beyond Aid

Traditional models of rural development often rely on external funding or short-term projects. We focus on building sustainable enterprises that are self-sustaining and rooted in local contexts.

Strengthening Local Democracy

When communities control economic institutions (co-ops, producer groups, local businesses), they also strengthen local governance, participation, and resilience.

What We Do:  Our Core Program Areas 

RACLD’s Rural Economy Restoration Wing works across multiple rural sectors to build an integrated, community-driven economic model.

Sustainable Farming & Agroecology
  • Promoting chemical-free, regenerative farming
  • Diversifying cropping systems 
  • Farmer field schools, peer learning and capacity building 
  • Facilitating direct market access for local produce 
Animal Husbandry Systems
  • Community-led livestock health and breed improvement
  • Fodder development and low-cost nutrition models
  • Market linkages for dairy, meat, and value-added livestock products
Rural Food Processing Enterprises 
  • Setting up village-level micro and small food processing units
  • Ensuring food safety, quality, packaging and branding support
  • Creating culturally rooted value-added products (millets, spices, cold-pressed oils, pickles, snacks, etc.)
Traditional & Local Food Systems Revival
  • Documentation of traditional recipes and food culture
  • Promotion of indigenous grains and forgotten foods
  • Supporting community kitchens and local nutrition models
Village Tourism
  • Eco-tourism, farm tourism, arts and culture-based tourism
  • Homestays designed, run, and managed by local families
  • Skill-building in hospitality, curation, and environmental stewardship
Village Arts & Crafts Ecosystem
  • Reviving traditional crafts and artisan networks
  • Design innovation and new product development
  • Linking artisans to ethical and fair-trade markets

How We Work 

Participatory Approach

We co-create solutions with communities, not impose them. Local stakeholders (farmers, artisans, youth) are at the center of our planning and implementation. 

Partnerships

We partner with local authorities, NGOs, businesses, and governments to catalyze and scale economic restoration. 

Financial Models

We support community enterprises through grant support, access to impact investors, microfinance, and cooperative funding mechanisms. 

Capacity Building

Through training, workshops, peer learning, and mentorship, we build local skills in business, governance, and sustainable practices. 

Market Linkages

We help connect local producers to regional, national, and even global markets – while preserving fair trade, quality, and sustainability. 

Monitoring & Learning

We rigorously track social, economic, and ecological outcomes, learning continuously and iterating our models based on feedback. 

Partner With Us

For Community Members / Local Entrepreneurs
  • Join one of our training programs
  • Apply for support to start or scale your local enterprise
  • Become part of our producer or artisan network
Work With Us
For Donors / Funders / Impact Investors
  • Support our work via grants or impact investments 
  • Partner on setting up community-based enterprises 
  • Collaborate on market-building initiatives 
Work With Us
For Institutional Partners (Government / NGOs / CSR)
  • Co-create scalable local economy restoration models
  • Partner in policy research, pilot programs, and advocacy
  • Provide technical, financial, or capacity-building support
Work With Us

Write to “Admin@RACLD.net” or “Fill out the form to express your Interest”

A New Vision for Rural Prosperity

The Local Economy Restoration Wing of RACLD is building a future where villages are economically vibrant, ecologically restored, and deeply democratic.​ Where people thrive not by leaving their land - but by reclaiming it with pride.​ A future where local economies are the heart of national progress.

Join us

Help us strengthen evidence-based governance across India.

Join Us