A Society Where Everyone Can Thrive
A just, resilient and inclusive society where women and men can freely realise their full potential, responsibilities and lead their lives with dignity and self-respect.
About i-Concept Initiatives
Building Resilient Communities Through Sustainable Agriculture
i-Concept Initiatives (i-CI) is a civil society organisation established in 2005, working towards sustainable agricultural development, stronger rural livelihoods, and the empowerment of local communities.
With expertise in agroecological farming, capacity building, research and development, and community institution building, i-CI works to create practical, community-led solutions that respond to local needs.
Our work places small and marginal farmers at the centre of sustainable development. We promote agroecological approaches and Integrated Farming Systems that connect crops, livestock, and complementary farm enterprises to support sustainable farming and stronger rural livelihoods.
Our commitment extends to the well-being of women, children, and rural families through food and nutrition security, biodiversity conservation, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment.
Development is a process that must be planned, executed, and monitored by the community itself.
Our Guiding Focus
Change Begins with Communities
Select a theme to explore an important part of our approach.
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People at the Centre
We believe communities should actively shape their own development through participation, shared knowledge, and collective action.
Our Guiding Principles
A Shared Vision. A Collective Mission.
Our vision guides the future we want to help create, while our mission shapes the work we do with communities.
Enabling Communities Through Knowledge
To enable marginalised and local communities through biodiversity conservation, agroecological farming, climate-resilient food systems, knowledge co-creation and empowerment, with a focus on women and children.
NEWS & ACTIVITIES
Latest Updates From the Field
Discover the people, initiatives, and field activities contributing to sustainable agriculture and stronger rural communities.
FIELD UPDATE
Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
Discover how field-level initiatives support sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen the knowledge of farming communities.
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FARMER TRAINING
TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING
Learning Together, Growing Together
Explore how agricultural learning, practical demonstrations, and knowledge sharing can help farmers strengthen their farming practices.
Read MoreFROM THE FIELD
Building Stronger Rural Communities
Learn about initiatives that encourage community participation, local knowledge sharing, and sustainable rural development.
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The way we work
Start with what's already here.
Development is not a package to deliver. It is a relationship to build.
i-Concept Initiatives (i-CI) is a civil society organisation rooted in community-led development. Since 2009, we have worked with people in some of Odisha's most climate-vulnerable landscapes — listening first, learning together, and backing local ideas with patient support.
21+
years of field experience
across Odisha
across Odisha
5
connected areas of
community-led action
community-led action
“The most lasting change is the kind
people can see themselves in.”
Our focus areas
Many threads.
One fabric.
Our work follows the connections between a healthy ecosystem, a secure livelihood and a community that can shape its own future.
01
Agro-ecological farming
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02
Natural resource management
→
03
Livelihoods & enterprise
↗
04
Water & sanitation
→
05
Resilience & research
→
Food, farms & futures
Agro-ecological farming
Supporting farmers to move with the seasons, protect the soil and grow food systems that nourish families and landscapes.
FEATURED INITIATIVE
A farming movement
Let the soil speak.
Maa Mati is i-CI's work with smallholder farmers to make natural farming practical, desirable and rooted in local knowledge.
1,200+
farmers learning
with the land
with the land
42
village learning
circles
circles
Make it matter
There is a place
for your good work.
Change gets stronger when more people bring what they know, what they can do and what they care about.
01
Partner with us
Bring a question, a commitment or a long-term idea. We make room for partnerships that respect local leadership.
Start here ↗
02
Volunteer your time
Share your skills, curiosity or field energy with a team that values learning in both directions.
Start here ↗
03
Support the work
Help put resources in the hands of communities building resilient farms, livelihoods and futures.
Start here ↗