Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI)

The Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI) exists to deepen democracy and develop a robust, inclusive society in India by enhancing the involvement of currently excluded communities. CSEI was formally formed in 2009, growing out of three decades of volunteers working on rights-based development, focusing on community mobilizing, networking, research, and forming campaigns. Exclusion and discrimination against communities such as Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, and others are still prevalent in Indian society, especially in areas of access to education and employment. Factors such as disability, physical and geographic inaccessibility, and illness are interconnected and often deepen these enduring inequalities and conflicts in society.

CSEI partners with Community-Led Organizations (CLOs) embedded within the marginalized communities, drawing their leadership and agenda from the communities themselves. The core focus of the work is promoting equal rights and equitable opportunities for learning and leadership among children and young people from Dalit, Tribal, and Muslim communities. Therefore, CSEI works in advocacy-oriented research, social equity surveys, policy advocacy, and creating better access and opportunities in education and employment for individuals from excluded communities. Embedded in the experiences of excluded communities, CSEI works to bring together all relevant stakeholders: the excluded communities, state policymakers, civil society organizations, members of the business sector, and other interested parties. Resource and capacity-building on exclusion, equity, and inclusion are critical roles of CSEI. This work is done through field research, producing learning materials (research papers, policy briefs, position papers, documentaries, etc.), and training modules on social equity and inclusion. CSEI is linked to networks of human rights activists, academic professionals, civil society organizations, the Adivasi, the Dalit, and other leaders across India.