The
organization was founded in 1986, and is designed to function as an intermediary
between voluntary organizations and the government. Officially an autonomous
body, it functions under the aegis of the Ministry for Rural Development
and Employment, Government of India and has the authority to provide financial
and resource support to NGO's in conceptualizing, developing and implementing
projects and development interventions.
CAPART receives
the bulk of its funds from the Government of India, but also has partnerships
with international donors to facilitate routing of funds to NGO's working
in rural development. CAPART have set up regional committees chaired by
eminent voluntary sector activists, in order to make sure funds are channeled
into the right kinds of project. In Rajasthan, KIGS is one of the groups
to gain benefit.
KIGS
has received funding from CAPART far various projects. Between 1997-90,
a health awareness project was carried out in Chaksu block, aimed at increasing
appreciation of basic issues and providing clinical services for the community.
In a related initiative, 200 flush latrines were constructed for villagers
in Shivdaspura and Watika. This simple project overcame the situation
in which fields became contaminated due to villagers defecating in them.
As a result, levels of disease were reduced. Complementing these simple
measures for improving basic standards of living, low cost houses have
been constructed for 150 scheduled caste families, in Devkinandanpura,
Govindpura, Santoshpura, Bhirtitya ki dhani etc, in Chaksu block.
As
part of the integrated village development plan, new irrigation wells
were created with CAPART money in Lakhawas Ki Dhani, Narhwali Dhani and
Nainupura Ki Dhani. Other wells were dug in Gramdani and scheduled caste
villages in separate initiatives. The wells are used by 4-5 poor scheduled
caste families jointly, and allow a great increase in productivity in
surrounding fields. With the extra water, a broader variety of practices
have also been made possible, including compost, vegetable and fodder
production.