Nandghar Project: Strengthening Early Childhood Development and Community Engagement

The Nandghar Project is an initiative by the Anil Agarwal Foundation aimed at transforming Anganwadi Centers
under the Department of Women and Child Development into child-friendly, community-driven hubs. 

The project’s core objective is to enhance the delivery of six key services under the Integrated Child Development
Scheme (ICDS), including:
 Nutritional Support: Ensuring the provision of nutritious food to children and mothers.
 Digital Pre-School Education: Facilitating seamless access to early childhood education through digital
platforms.
 Primary Healthcare and Referral Services: Strengthening maternal and child healthcare through timely
interventions.
 Community Participation: Enhancing awareness and engagement within the community to foster positive
health behaviors.
 Government Scheme Linkages: Connecting beneficiaries with relevant government welfare programs.
 Skill Development and Employment Opportunities: Providing vocational training and employment linkages
for community members.

Project Objectives:
 To provide early childhood education, primary healthcare, and nutrition counselling services at
Nandghars: The project aims to ensure that every Nandghar functions as a comprehensive service hub for young children by delivering quality early learning experiences, accessible primary health services, and regular nutritional counselling for mothers and caregivers.

 To enhance community awareness and promote positive health behaviours towards Anganwadi services:
A key focus is to build a well-informed and engaged community that actively participates in and supports
Anganwadi services. The project works to foster behavioural changes that encourage the adoption of
healthy practices related to child growth, hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care.
 To improve maternal and child health outcomes with a focus on primary care, early education (for 0–6-
year-old children), and family planning: The project emphasizes a holistic approach to improving the
health and well-being of mothers and children. This includes ensuring timely access to health check-ups,
immunizations, and growth monitoring, while also promoting informed choices around family planning and
reproductive health.