Why we Endeavour

United Nations Millennium Development Goals

In September 2000, world leaders at UN Headquarters adopted the UN Millennium Declaration to reduce extreme poverty. The time bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - have become known as the Millennium Development Goals.
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development Source :

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals

How do we Contribute to MDG's

We align with UN's Tourism and Poverty Alleviation mechanism
(http://www.unwto.org/step/mechanisms/en/ms.php/)

We work with Rural communities to develop and market the 'Responsible Cultural Tourism'. The villagers get incentive to preserve their culture as well as generate additional income.

Quantifiable

• Atleast 20% increase in annual income in over 50 households per village.
  
• Additional inflow of over Rs. 4 lakhs (USD 9000) in each village economy.

Qualitative

• Reduction in migration
  
• Conserve & promotion of culture & traditions
  
• Improve Livelihood Prospects .We usually train 25 villagers as guides per village. In 6 months more than half move on to further education and other livelihood opportunities.Most cite that managing local tourism operations boosts their self confidence. And we are only too happy for this attrition :)

We envision a network of 200 such village destinations across India, where in tourism is managed owned and run by local village communities

Visit our Website @ http://www.grassroutes.co.in/