Conflict as Capacity: How a Co-Created Curriculum Became a Catalyst for Leadership in Rural Karnataka

When Buzz Women and Kshetra came together to co-create a conflict resolution curriculum, the idea was rooted in a clear need. Community Anchors—known as Gelathis—were already leading dialogues and training sessions across villages, but many shared that they felt unprepared when tensions arose: whether within their households, their self-help groups, or their communities. The goal was to create a simple, accessible module that could build the skills and confidence needed to navigate such situations, not by avoiding them, but by engaging with them.

The foundation of the curriculum was Kshetra’s Dialogic Method, a facilitation approach that centers listening, reflection, and shared understanding as tools for change. But beyond fostering dialogue, the method was a means to uncover the inherent value within conflict and co-create sustainable, community-rooted solutions. Rather than offering a fixed set of steps, the module encouraged women to explore the root causes of tension, examine the structures around them, and engage others with intention and clarity. Buzz Women and Kshetra shaped the curriculum through lived experiences—integrating exercises that equipped women to mediate disagreements, navigate power dynamics, and make decisions in complex social spaces. In doing so, conflict became not just something to manage, but a space for leadership, sensemaking, and practical action.

Over time, the curriculum was delivered to over 3,500 Gelathis across Buzz Women’s field areas. What began as a module on conflict resolution soon became part of how Gelathis led their communities, reshaping the way meetings were facilitated, problems were addressed, and leadership was practiced. It also shifted how conflict itself was understood—not simply as a problem to be solved, but as a site of growth and leadership.

The most telling shift came in how women engaged with conflict itself. In the 2023 Spoorthi assessment, 68% of Community Anchors said they now resolve conflicts through open discussion—a dramatic shift from previous patterns. Only 20% said they tend to compromise, while just 7% said they step back and 4% said they resort to authority. This signals a deeper transformation in mindset: one where conflict is no longer something to avoid or control, but something to enter into with intention, dialogue, and clarity. That clarity translated into action too—76% of Gelathis began setting structured goals for their communities after the training (up from 21%), and over half initiated community actions ranging from addressing domestic violence to improving access to water and sanitation. In Beehive Meetings (monthly gatherings facilitated by Gelathis) 75% of groups reported making collective decisions on local issues, and many had reached out to local government officials to advocate for their communities.

The impact report also includes stories that bring these numbers to life. In Kamarasanahalli, a woman named Narayanamma observed that schoolchildren in her village were walking long distances because there was no bus service. Using the skills she had gained through the Inspiration Fellowship and the conflict resolution module, she mobilised her neighbours and drafted a letter to the transport authorities. The letter, which combined lived experiences with concrete demands, led to the introduction of a twice-daily bus route to the village. What’s striking about this story is not just the outcome, but the process—the ability to name a shared challenge, engage a wide set of stakeholders, and advocate with clarity and confidence.

This was never just about formal training. It was about creating the conditions for women to trust their voice and hold space for others. And that required more than content. It required the space to adapt, reflect, and grow, something the partnership between Buzz Women and Kshetra made possible. As Krishna Udayasankar, CEO of Kshetra, reflects, the curriculum grew far beyond its original boundaries. It became a way of approaching leadership, narrative-building, and even policy engagement, precisely because it was allowed to evolve in response to the field.

The success of the module lies not in its perfection, but in its adaptability. It met women where they were, and it evolved with them. In doing so, it helped shift the culture around conflict in many of the communities where Buzz Women works. Conflict didn’t disappear, but women began engaging with it differently. They started asking better questions, listening more deeply, and responding with greater awareness. And that, in many ways, is what leadership looks like.

This partnership did not just create a tool—it created a shift in how women understand their own capacity to lead. The curriculum continues to influence how Beehives are conducted, how women engage with local governance, and how they support each other through difficult conversations. It remains embedded in the everyday practice of community anchors who are, in quiet and consistent ways, changing what is possible in the places they live.