About IRDMS
About IRDMS

The Institute of Rural Development and Management Studies (IRDMS), established in 1995, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities across Odisha. With its headquarters in Bhubaneswar and a network of ten regional offices, IRDMS works at the grassroots level to strengthen livelihoods, promote community health, and ensure access to rights and entitlements for tribal, Dalit, women, and other underserved populations. Initially formed by a group of passionate youth working voluntarily in the development sector, IRDMS has evolved into a credible institution with extensive experience in implementing large-scale development programs with government departments, international agencies, and CSR partners.
IRDMS focuses on key thematic areas such as Livelihood Promotion, Natural Resource Management, Community Health, Clean Energy, Climate Resilience, Women and Child Welfare, Micro-credit and SHG promotion, and Participatory Irrigation Management. The organization has a proven track record of managing integrated rural development programs like OTELP, OPELIP, OIIPCRA, and NABARD-funded initiatives. Over the years, it has received recognition and appreciation from various departments for its innovative and impactful interventions. With a rights-based, inclusive approach, IRDMS envisions an equitable society where every individual can live in peace and dignity.
Areas of Work

Livelihood Promotion

Natural Resource Management (NRM), including Watershed Development

Participatory Irrigation Management and Strengthening of Pani Panchayats

Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Clean Energy Adoption

Community Health and SRH/HIV/AIDS Interventions

Women and Child Welfare, including nutrition and maternal health

Micro-credit and SHG Promotion

Vocational Training and Skill Development for youth

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development

Tribal Empowerment and Access to Entitlements

Environmental Protection and Agroforestry

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Social Infrastructure Development (e.g., schools, health centers, processing units )

Consumer Awareness and Welfare Campaigns

Institution Building of CBOs

Market Linkages, Value Addition, and Enterprise Development
IRDMS embeds climate resilience, institutional development, and policy advocacy as cross-cutting themes across all its interventions
Vision
IRDMS envisions an equitable and sustainable society where people live in peace and dignity. .
Mission

Journey & Milestones
- 1995 – IRDMS was founded by a group of socially committed youth in Odisha to empower marginalized communities.
- 1998–2005 – Expanded grassroots work in livelihood promotion, health, and micro-credit across multiple districts.
- 2006 – Partnered with Government of Odisha under OTELP for tribal empowerment and integrated development.
- 2010 – Formally registered under IGR.
- 2012–2017 – Recognized for best practices in Natural Resource Management and Participatory Irrigation under OTELP ,OIIWMIP and OWDM.
- 2018 – Scaled up operations in large scale livelihoods programme for PVTGs like OPELIP with IFAD .
- 2020–2023 – Implemented large-scale programs like in climate-resilient agriculture and women-led enterprise development OIIPCRA and World Bank support.
- 2024 – Operations in over 19 districts and 1,000+ volunteers engaged.
- Today – IRDMS stands as a trusted development partner, working at the intersection of livelihoods, NRM, governance, and climate resilience.
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