Initiative for Sustainable Development and Governance (ISDG) which became operational in 2012 is the governance and development programme of the Centre for Communication and Development Studies. ISDG focuses on policy research and capacity development and seeks to strengthen democratic governance, sustainable human development and inclusive participation of people in all spheres of governance. ISDG, as the governance and development arm of CCDS, invests its efforts in three specific areas:a) Participatory Urban Governance with a focus on urban poverty, budget transparency and accountability and people's participation;b) Policy and Budget Analysis and Advocacy and Social Watch of governance institutions; and c) Youth and Women's empowerment. Though in the first year, most of the work of the ISDG was focused in Kerala, ISDG is expected grow as a national level strategic resource centre with specific focus on advocacy, research and capacity development in the area of urban governance and poverty, as well as the initiatives for youth and women's empowerment.