Who We Are
30
Years Experience
Introduction of
Mahiti Trust
Founded in 1994, Mahiti Trust is grassroots, non-profit community-based organization committed to promoting equality, and sustainable development in the rural, disaster-prone Bhal region of Gujarat, India. Rooted in the principles of community ownership and empowerment, the Trust was born out of a people’s movement led by local leaders and women activists who envisioned a future free from exploitation and exclusion.
Mahiti Trust works at the intersection of gender justice, natural resource management, livelihoods, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, and democratic participation, with a special focus on empowering women and underprivileged communities. Over the last three decades, it has become a trusted voice in rural development—mobilizing over 180 villages through participatory models and inclusive practices.
Its key interventions include women’s empowerment through microfinance and the strengthening of regional-level cooperative institutions, such as the Bhal Mahiti Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited in Ahmedabad District and the Bhal Mahila Jagruti Women’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited in Bhavnagar District. Mahiti Trust also promotes the formation and strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), encourages organic and climate-resilient farming, facilitates access to government schemes, and provides vocational training for rural youth. Additionally, it offers critical legal aid and family counselling services to address issues such as domestic violence and land disputes. Together, these initiatives tackle systemic inequalities while fostering long-term resilience, self-reliance, and inclusive development.
With a strong grassroots team of 23 local community facilitators, regional partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to justice, Mahiti Trust continues to ensure that development reaches