Centre for Non-Formal Education (CNFE), Vijayapura – Sindagi is a Jesuit social action and rural development institution committed to the empowerment of marginalized communities through education, human rights awareness, women’s empowerment, livelihood initiatives, child welfare, and community organization. Managed by the Bijapur Jesuit Educational and Charitable Society (BJECS) under the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, CNFE continues the Jesuit mission of promoting justice, dignity, and holistic human development among the poor and vulnerable.

The history of the Jesuit mission in Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur) began in the early 1980s, when Jesuit Fathers initiated social and educational outreach programmes among the urban poor and slum communities of the district. The region was marked by widespread poverty, child labour, migration, lack of education, and inadequate housing facilities among slum dwellers and marginalized rural communities. Recognizing these realities, the Jesuits began organizing awareness programmes, literacy initiatives, and community-based interventions among vulnerable groups.

Centre for Non-Formal Education (CNFE) was formally established in 1993 as the social action centre of the Jesuit mission in Vijayapura. The institution was founded with the vision of empowering marginalized communities through education, leadership formation, rights awareness, and community organization.

Historically, CNFE gained recognition for its grassroots-level work among slum dwellers, child labourers, women, migrants, construction workers, Devadasi women, HIV-affected persons, and rural youth. One of the institution’s earliest major interventions came after the devastating Latur earthquake of 1993, when CNFE collaborated with social organizations and volunteers to support relief and rehabilitation efforts, including the reconstruction of nearly 4,500 houses for affected communities.

In 1995, CNFE started a bridge school for child labourers, helping children reintegrate into formal education. Over the years, the institution successfully rehabilitated nearly 1,400 child labourers through educational support and awareness initiatives.

A significant milestone in the institution’s history came in 1999, when CNFE established a formal school for children from slum communities in Vijayapura. In 2000, the institution launched technical and vocational training programmes as part of its livelihood and skill-development initiatives for school dropouts and unemployed youth.

Historically, CNFE expanded its developmental activities to Sindagi and surrounding villages in 2004, extending its social outreach to rural communities facing poverty, migration, educational backwardness, and social exclusion. Over time, the institution developed a strong rural development network in Vijayapura and Sindagi through village-level programmes and people’s collectives.

CNFE also became known for its pioneering work in:

• Devadasi rehabilitation programmes
• Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• HIV/AIDS awareness and care initiatives
• Housing and land rights for slum dwellers
• Livelihood and income-generation programmes
• Youth leadership and rights awareness
• Child protection and educational support initiatives

In 2005, CNFE initiated Ashadeepa, a programme for differently-abled persons, and also began structured rehabilitation programmes for Devadasi women with support from Karnataka Jesuit initiatives.

The institution played a vital role during periods of natural calamities and social crises. CNFE organized major flood relief programmes in 2010 and 2019, and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–21, it collaborated with KJES and Azim Premji Philanthropies to provide relief support to nearly 28,000 vulnerable families across the district.

Over the years, CNFE developed strong people’s movements and grassroots organizations including:

• Slum Development Committees
• Women’s SHG Federations
• Children’s Clubs
• Construction Workers’ Unions
• Domestic Workers’ Unions
• Auto Drivers’ Associations
• Youth Groups and Community Networks

Rooted in the Jesuit philosophy of “faith that does justice,” CNFE believes in holistic and people-centred development. Guided by the Jesuit ideal of walking with the poor and marginalized, the institution promotes:

• Human dignity and social justice
• Education and community empowerment
• Women and youth leadership
• Rights awareness and participatory governance
• Sustainable livelihood and self-reliance
• Equality, inclusion, and compassionate service

Today, Centre for Non-Formal Education (CNFE), Vijayapura – Sindagi continues to be a vibrant centre of Jesuit social action and transformative service, carrying forward the enduring Jesuit legacy of education, empowerment, justice, and human dignity among marginalized communities of North Karnataka.