Two Decades of Community Change
BITAN is a Kolkata-based NGO working at the intersection of health, livelihoods, environment, and disaster resilience — placing communities at the centre of every programme.
Rooted in Communities Since 2005
BITAN — Broad Initiative for Training, Awareness & Networking — was founded in 2005 in Kolkata by a group of development practitioners who believed that sustainable change must be rooted in communities, not delivered to them. Starting with a small health rights programme in South 24 Parganas, the organisation has grown into a multi-thematic NGO working across West Bengal and Tripura.
Over two decades, BITAN has built lasting partnerships with government bodies, national skill development institutions, and international funders — always maintaining its founding principle: that communities are the experts in their own lives, and our role is to create the conditions for them to lead change themselves.
Today, BITAN operates five interconnected programme areas — Health & Nutrition, Solid & Liquid Waste Management, Adolescent & Youth Development, Livelihood & Skills, and Disaster Management — reaching over 50,000 lives across 16+ districts in two states.
Mission & Vision
“To facilitate sustainable, community-led development across Eastern India by building capacities, forging partnerships, and advocating for the rights of marginalised communities in health, livelihood, environment, and disaster resilience.”
“A just and equitable society in which every community — regardless of geography, caste, or gender — has the knowledge, resources, and agency to determine its own future.”
Our Core Values
Community Ownership
Every programme is designed with communities, not for them. Local knowledge and participation are non-negotiable at every stage.
Transparency
We publish our accounts, project data, and outcomes publicly. Our funders and communities deserve full accountability.
Equity & Inclusion
We prioritise the most marginalised — women, SC/ST communities, persons with disabilities — and design programmes that reduce, not reinforce, inequalities.
Long-term Impact
We reject quick fixes. Our programmes are designed to create self-sustaining systems that outlast the project period.
Collaboration
No single organisation can solve complex social problems alone. We actively seek partnerships with government, civil society, and the private sector.
Learning Culture
We document what works and what doesn't, share lessons openly, and continuously adapt our approaches based on evidence from the field.
20 Years in the Making
From a single health programme in Kolkata to a multi-thematic organisation spanning two states.
Founded in Kolkata
BITAN is registered under the Societies Registration Act, West Bengal. First programme: community health rights in South 24 Parganas, supported by MEMISA Belgium.
First Corporate Partnership
Launch of the first ITC CSR collaboration on Solid Waste Management — establishing BITAN's model of linking community mobilisation with infrastructure and livelihood outcomes.
Expansion to Tripura
Opening of BITAN's Agartala field office, extending the organisation's reach into the North East for the first time. First programme: rural sanitation under SBM.
FCRA Registration
BITAN receives Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration, enabling international funding partnerships including the long-term collaboration with MEMISA Belgium.
National Skill Development
Partnership with NSDC under PMKVY launches the Recognition of Prior Learning programme — certifying thousands of informal sector workers for the first time.
GSK Save Lives Programme
GlaxoSmithKline CSR partnership launches the Save Lives programme across Bankura and Purulia — reaching 8,500+ families with maternal and child health support.
Crisis Response
BITAN responds to COVID-19 with community relief, and to Super Cyclone Amphan with a 72-hour rapid needs assessment and relief for 2,500+ families in the Sundarbans.
50,000+ Lives Milestone
BITAN's cumulative reach crosses 50,000 beneficiaries across both states. Village Disaster Management Team programme launches in Murshidabad and Nadia.
20 Years of Service
BITAN marks two decades of community development work — active in 16+ districts, five programme areas, and two states, with 15+ active partnerships.
The People Behind the Work
Our leadership team brings together decades of field experience across health, livelihoods, finance, and operations.
Subrata Biswas
Executive Director
A development practitioner with over 25 years of experience in community health, livelihoods, and NGO governance across West Bengal and the North East.
Ananya Chatterjee
Director — Programs
Leads BITAN's five thematic programme areas with expertise in health systems strengthening, gender rights, and community-based monitoring.
Debashis Roy
Head — Finance & Compliance
Oversees financial management, FCRA compliance, statutory reporting, and internal audit — ensuring full transparency with all stakeholders.
Mita Sarkar
Head — Field Operations
Manages BITAN's field staff across both states, co-ordinates with district and block authorities, and leads the organisation's disaster response operations.
Registrations & Accreditations
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Whether as a funder, partner, volunteer, or ally — there's a place for you in BITAN's story.