About CNI SBSS

The Synodical Board of Social Services (CNI SBSS) is the development and justice board of the Church of North India (CNI). CNI SBSS was formed as a response of the Church to the whole question of poverty and related social justice for the poor and exploited. It works with marginalized communities throughout the geography of CNI, following the Gospel of Christ to liberate the poor and the oppressed from all forms of enslavement.

CNI SBSS through its programme has been working primarily with dalits (SC Schedule Caste), adivasis (ST Schedule Tribe) and women who have been socially and economically excluded for past several centuries and continued to live in poverty. Poverty for them is not only limited to fiscal but also in relation to other basic necessities of life like education, health, sanitation, water, asset ownerships and income, validated by scientific indicators like Human Development Index and Multidimensional Poverty Index. To end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity, the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve by 2030. CNI SBSS programs are designed in line with SDGs.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

For more information, visit: https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals

SDG-1 No Poverty and SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth

  • CNI SBSS works with marginalized communities to identify their economic issues and facilitate solutions to their livelihood problems through various income generation activities.
  • Women Self-Help groups are trained in different alternative livelihoods and small and marginal farmers are engaged in natural integrated farming for increased incomes.
  • The youth in the community are empowered and equipped with different skill building workshops for employment and career development.

SDG 2- Zero Hunger

  • CNI SBSS works to improve the nutritional status of young children and women of reproductive age; by ensuring access to benefits under Government schemes like ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme).
  • Helping communities develop kitchen gardens to provide nutritious food to families. And also, through other social security schemes.

SDG4-Quality Education

  • CNI SBSS creates awareness in the community on importance of education to lower the dropout rate especially among girl children, effective functioning of schools in the village.
  • Remedial Centers, Children Clubs and Children’s Library have been formed to provide value education and to enhance creative and communication skills of the community children.

SDG 5- Gender Equality

  • CNI SBSS efforts are channelled to ensure that all women and girl children live with dignity and respect without facing any exploitation based on gender discrimination. They should gain equal access to education, health, sanitation and sustainable livelihood opportunities, and continually work towards change in gender roles.

SDG 6- Clean water and sanitation

  • CNI SBSS works to ensure that communities gain access to safe drinking water and toilet facilities under Government’s Jal Shakti Mission and Swachha Bharat Abhiyan.
  • Regular local level campaigns are held to create awareness in the community on open defecation, sanitation, good menstrual hygiene for women and girls, water conservation and preservation.