About Janaagraha

We are a non-profit trust, working towards the mission of transforming the quality of life in India’s cities and towns. Founded in 2001 by Ramesh Ramanathan and Swati Ramanathan as a movement to include people’s participation in public governance, we have now evolved into a robust institution for citizenship and democracy.

The core idea of our work does not revolve around fixing problems but instead seeking to fix the system that can solve the problems.

To achieve this objective, we work with citizens to catalyse active citizenship in city neighbourhoods and with governments to institute reforms to city governance (what we call “City-Systems”).

How We Improve Urban Quality Of Life

We believe that improved quality of life is directly linked to improved quality of infrastructure, services, and citizenship. We hence work at intersections to fix the City-Systems across law, policy, and institutions with a specific focus on sectors – such as Climate Change, Gender Equality & Public Safety, Water & Sanitation, Education, and Public Health. We do this using tools and activities like Civic Participation, Municipal Finance, and Advocacy and by instilling 21st century skills among the youth to empower them to become active citizens.

City Systems Framework

We believe that cities should be viewed through a structural construct that we refer to as the City-Systems framework. This strategy is our action-oriented approach to transforming India’s cities and towns. We believe that fixing India’s City-Systems is crucial to fixing our cities and consequently improving the quality of life for our citizens.

Depicted through a metamorphosing butterfly with four wings, the City-Systems framework defines four significant aspects of urban transformation.

Urban Planning & Design

Laying the foundation for sustainable urban development through robust planning and design policies that respond to contemporary demands and aspirations, respecting federal structures and democratic principles.

Urban Capacities & Resources

Training better Bureaucrats and Administrators to strengthen the ‘steel frame’ of India. Creating well-resourced Urban Local Governments to meet the demands of India’s urbanisation.

Empowered & Legitimate Political Representation & Transparency

Empowering urban voters through clean voter lists and increasing voter turnout to ensure higher quality elected representatives.

Accountability & Participation

Building tomorrow’s active citizens through local-level civic education. Providing platforms that allow citizens to connect with one another, and with their civic agencies/local governments, to make a real difference in their own neighbourhoods.