MYRADA is a non-governmental organisation working in the remote areas of south India and providing ongoing support including deputations of staff to programmes in six other states. It also promotes the Self Help Affinity strategy in Cambodia, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

MYRADA's mission is:

• To foster a process of ongoing change in favour of the rural poor in a way in which this process can be sustained by them through building and managing appropriate and innovative local level institutions rooted in values of justice, equity and mutual support.
• To recreate a self-sustaining habitat based on a balanced perspective of the relationship between natural resources and the legitimate needs of people.
• To promote strategies through which the full potential of women and children are realised.
• To influence public policies in favour of the poor.
• To strengthen networks and linkages between and among formal and informal institutions that can foster and sustain the impact of development initiatives.

MYRADA started in 1968. It has been a partner if SDC in the PIDOW project since the mid 1980's and in the ISPWDK project since Phase 1. MYRADA is directly managing 16 other projects in 12 backward districts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The organisation builds and capacitates people's institutions and focuses on participatory natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, strengthening self help groups and livelihood promotion through training. MYRADA has a well equipped training center.

At any point of time, MYRADA works with approximately one million poor people. It is continuously withdrawing from areas after 6 to 9 years and move into new areas, leaving people with adequate skills and confidence to manage their institutions, investment and resources, and to strengthen and expand linkages with supporting institutions.