About Foundation for democratic reforms
The Foundation for Democratic Reforms (FDR) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote democratic values and principles in India. The organization was founded in 1996 by a group of academics, lawyers, and activists who were concerned about the state of democracy in India.
FDR's mission is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes, promote transparency and accountability in governance, and empower citizens to participate actively in the democratic process. The organization works towards achieving these goals through research, advocacy, capacity building, and public education.
One of FDR's key areas of focus is big city governance. In recent years, India has witnessed rapid urbanization with more people moving from rural areas to cities. This has put immense pressure on urban infrastructure and services such as housing, transportation, water supply, sanitation etc. FDR believes that effective governance at the city level is crucial for addressing these challenges.
To this end, FDR has conducted extensive research on various aspects of big city governance such as municipal finance management systems; citizen participation mechanisms; urban planning processes; service delivery models etc. The organization has also organized several conferences and workshops bringing together experts from academia, civil society organizations (CSOs), government officials etc., to discuss best practices in big city governance.
In 2019 FDR organized a memorial lecture on constitutional reforms delivered by Dr B.R Ambedkar & Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Lecture which focused on how constitutional reforms can help strengthen democracy at all levels including local governments.
Apart from its work on big city governance FDR also works extensively on electoral reforms with an aim to make elections more transparent & accountable while ensuring free & fair elections across India.
FDR's work extends beyond research & advocacy as it also engages with citizens through various initiatives like voter awareness campaigns aimed at increasing voter turnout during elections while educating voters about their rights & responsibilities during election time.
Overall Foundation for Democratic Reforms (FDR) is a leading organization in India working towards strengthening democratic values and principles. Its work on big city governance, electoral reforms, and citizen engagement has made it an important voice in the Indian democracy landscape.