Inspired by the global Conference of Parties, PDAG, in partnership with Asar Social Impact, conceptualised and designed the Conference of Panchayats (CoP) as a platform to place Panchayati Raj Institutions and grassroots communities at the centre of climate action. CoP follows an inverted-pyramid approach, creating a bottom-up process through which local experiences, priorities and solutions can inform wider conversations on climate resilience, adaptation and sustainable development.

The initiative began in Jharkhand in 2022, bringing elected Panchayat representatives together with government officials, civil society organisations, community institutions and climate experts to examine how climate change and the transition away from fossil fuels are affecting livelihoods, agriculture, water, natural resources and local economies. CoP 2.0 subsequently expanded the engagement across all five administrative divisions of Jharkhand, reaching representatives from 250 Gram Panchayats and creating a structured platform for communities to identify climate vulnerabilities, share locally developed solutions and articulate priorities for action.

Over time, PDAG and Asar have developed CoP beyond a series of consultations into a growing platform for locally led climate action. The initiative has expanded beyond Jharkhand to Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka has now reached over 1000 Gram Panchayats, with women comprising 60% of participating PRI representatives.

The insights generated through CoP point to the need for greater decision-making authority and access to finance for Panchayats, stronger technical support, integration of climate resilience into Gram Panchayat Development Plans and government programmes and greater exchange of knowledge across local governments. In 2026, CoP brought these grassroots perspectives to the national stage at Mumbai Climate Week, where Panchayat leaders from six states showcased locally led approaches to water conservation, renewable energy, forest restoration and climate-resilient agriculture.

Through CoP, PDAG and Asar are working to strengthen Panchayats not simply as implementers of climate programmes, but as institutions that can shape and lead climate action, connecting community knowledge and local priorities with state and national policy processes.