The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in partnership with the Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS), on Monday launched the India Regional edition of the CIRDAP–REEDS International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026 in Hyderabad. Anchored on the theme “One Innovation. Endless Change. Countless Smiles”, the initiative seeks to identify, recognise, and promote proven rural innovations that have demonstrated measurable impact at the grassroots level and possess potential for scale and replication across Asia and the Pacific. The event brought together policymakers, development practitioners, academicians, and civil society leaders from the rural development ecosystem. Panchayat Raj Minister D. Anusuya alias Seethakka, Bellampally MLA G. Vinod, G. Narendra Kumar, Director General, NIRDPR. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, CIRDAP, and M. Ravindra Vikram, Chairman, REEDS were present. The Innovation Challenge will be supported by an international compendium of selected innovations and an International Conference proposed in Sri Lanka in June 2026. The programme concluded with an open-house discussion and media interaction, followed by a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Ravi K. Reddy, Secretary, REEDS. The CIRDAP–REEDS International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026, a joint initiative of CIRDAP and REEDS, invites practitioners, institutions, entrepreneurs, researchers, development professionals, and grassroots innovators to participate and showcase rural innovations with the potential for scale and replication.

CIRDAP is delighted to announce the next session of its Knowledge Series, spotlighting a unique and influential regional platform: the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF). We are honored to welcome Ms. Arpana Pratap, Director of Blue Economy at PIDF, as the distinguished speaker. She will guide the audience through PIDF’s evolution, its vision of “A United, Distinctive and Sustainable Pacific Society,” and the organization’s impressive achievements in advancing green and blue economic transformation across the Pacific. Formally endorsed by Pacific Island Leaders at the 2012 “Engaging with the Pacific” meeting in Denarau, Fiji, PIDF was created to bring together leaders from key sectors to champion green economic policies across Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS). Since then, PIDF has launched a constellation of initiatives that continue to uplift rural, coastal, and marginalized communities. The webinar will explore several of PIDF’s hallmark programs, including Pacific Green Business Centre, Bamboo Initiative, Seaweed Initiative, Renewable Energy & Green Economy Capacity Building, Solar Heads of State and Blue Economy Initiatives etc. The Participants will gain insights into how these efforts have shaped sustainable livelihoods, empowered communities, and strengthened climate resilience across the islands. Join us to learn how PIDF continues to chart new pathways for a greener, more resilient Pacific future. Webinar Details Date: Thursday, 4 December 2025Time: 11:00 AM Bangladesh Time (5:00 PM Fiji Time) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97589934434?pwd=Ati7fvW38bPqtmJ8LDidYTWqFaCgnr.1 Meeting ID: 975 8993 4434 Passcode: 153333 — Join instructions https://zoom.us/meetings/97589934434/invitations?signature=HdmGaVLemRLdLec_9HPT-IZWbv8HkZlApGqXr4SRK6Q

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Land Coalition Asia (ILC Asia) on 13 November 2025. ILC Asia, established in 2003 and headquartered in Rome, Italy, is the regional platform of the International Land Coalition—a global alliance of more than 300 organisations committed to people-centered land governance. The regional network comprises 64 civil society organisations across 15 countries, including farmers, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, women, and youth. Notably, 24 of these organisations directly represent 14 million people in their respective countries. Through this renewed collaboration, CIRDAP and ILC Asia will work together to: 🔹 Promote and scale up agrarian reforms, agricultural cooperatives, and farmers’ associations to strengthen equitable land tenureship and address climate vulnerabilities across Asia and the Pacific.🔹 Empower farmers and rural communities through cooperative-based development, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building.🔹 Jointly implement programmes, training, and workshops in alignment with the International Year for Women Farmers (2026) under the Decade of Family Farmers.🔹 Enhance information sharing, technical cooperation, and resource exchange to support rural transformation and sustainable livelihoods. The MoU was signed by FAM Zakirul Huq, Head of Administration, CIRDAP and Anu Verma, Regional Coordinator of ILC Asia. The ceremony was graced by the presence of HE. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP and along with officials and representatives from both organizations. The partnership outlines clear responsibilities for both organisations, emphasizing technical support, training, cooperative development, knowledge sharing, and collaborative fundraising to drive impactful rural development initiatives across the region. Together, CIRDAP and ILC Asia reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient rural communities.