Sustainable Livelihoods
Supporting community livelihoods, natural-resource stewardship and local economic capacity.
Learn more →More than four decades of community-led development
Building stronger communities.
Creating lasting change.
Working alongside tribal and underserved communities to advance dignity, rights, livelihoods, education and wellbeing.
Since 1980Community-led development
500+ villagesConnected through local cadre
Tribal communitiesRights, dignity & opportunity
People-firstKnowledge, skills & institutions
Development built with people, not just for people.
Who we are
Development shaped by communities
Founded in 1980 by Dr. S. Venkateswara Rao, Community Development Centre (CDC) grew from sustained field engagement in the tribal areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
CDC believes durable development is built by strengthening people's knowledge, skills, institutions and economic capacity—so communities can shape decisions that affect their lives.
Our work serves remote tribal and particularly vulnerable tribal communities, with special attention to women, children, landless households and persons with disabilities.
Discover CDC's work →Our work
Working across the foundations of community wellbeing
Our programmes connect rights, human development, sustainable livelihoods and community institutions.
Education & Youth
Connecting child rights and access with youth skilling, STEM, science and learning initiatives.
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Community Institutions
Strengthening community-based organisations, grassroots leadership and collective action.
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Inclusion & Rehabilitation
Promoting inclusion and support for persons with disabilities and vulnerable families.
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Natural Resource Stewardship
Working with communities on land, forest rights and responsible resource management.
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Capacity Building
Building skills and local leadership through training, partnerships and field engagement.
Learn more →Impact at a glance
Community progress, measured in people and possibilities
Figures below are drawn from CDC's Organizational Profile 2026.
223Community-based organisations
523+Members who emerged as public representatives
11,500Families supported in forest-rights title-deed facilitation
2,223Tribal youth trained as grassroots resource persons
7,873Persons with disabilities reached through rehabilitation-linked microcredit
12,500+Families supported through disaster relief & rehabilitation
4,300Families supported through tribal land-literacy & dispute settlement
500+Villages connected through CDC's local cadre
From the field
Communities in action
Snapshots of collective work, learning and collaboration.
Working together for local livelihoods
Community participation is at the heart of CDC's approach.
Knowledge & collaboration
Community moments
Be part of the change
Support community-led development
Your contribution can help CDC continue working with tribal and underserved communities. Donation and tax-benefit details will be published after verification of current approvals and payment arrangements.