China Program Review 2002
Overview
A cave-house in Pingliang, Gansu Province
The Badi Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profitmaking organization dedicated to serving society by empowering individuals, institutions and communities through education and training. It develops educational programs and delivers them at the grassroots level, thus enhancing the ability of populations to contribute to the social and economic development of their communities.
Since 1996, the Badi Foundation has established projects in Shaanxi, Gansu and Yunnan provinces, training more than 1600 participants, facilitators and leaders from 40 townships. The participants have in turn shared their knowledge with friends, neighbors and colleagues, thereby reaching thousands of others.
Social Enterprise Program
The Social Enterprise Program is designed to enhance the capacity of individuals and institutions to contribute to the social and economic development of their communities. Specializations within the program focus on specific fields of endeavor. Two specialization programs have already been developed:
1) The Environmental Action Program (EAP) focuses on sustainable development. There are two sets of material: one for rural women and one for educators. The Training Program for Leaders is part of the process of nurturing a sense of ownership. The materials are designed to deepen the leaders' understanding of the program and to develop their capacity to encourage and support the EAP facilitators and participants who are implementing plans of action.
2) The Enhancing the Learning Environment Program helps educators acquire the skills and attitudes necessary to successfully apply the principles of participation and cooperation in the classroom environment.