ESG has successfully facilitated a bid for Raichur Municipal Council of Karnataka under the new initiative of European Commission - Asia Urbs. Amongst a select few cities selected across Asia, the project, COMMUNITY ACCESS 2000, will be implemented over two years in partnership with London Borough of Brent, and Horsens and Health International of Denmark. ESG would be involved in its capacity as Associate Partner and Programme Coordinator on behalf of Raichur in the delivery of the project involving a comprehensive effort to improve urban, environmental, social and health planning for the city of Raichur located in the backward North Karnataka region.  In anticipation of the main project implementation, ESG has secured a small grant from National Foundation for India and German Technical Cooperation towards conducting a preliminary study of the urbanisation processes in Raichur.  In May 2002 a consultation workshop was facilitated by ESG in Raichur.  The workshop wa s well attended by key local government leaders and community representatives thus presenting a unique forum where the community could interact with its elected representatives.  Participants enthusiastically voiced their concerns about major social, economic and environmental issues in Raichur thus achieving one of the major aims of the workshop. This formed the output of the workshop and the basis on which further research and planning work would be undertaken. (2001 - ongoing) ESG has represented Raichur in a variety of national and international forums to present the effort including in the conference on “Cities, Poverty and Environment” organized by Hanoi People’s Committee and Citynet at Hanoi, Vietnam (July 2001), “Cities of the Future” organised by Indian Ministry of Urban Affairs and European Union in Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi (October 2000) and “City Networking for a Sustainable Future and Human Unity” organised by Auroville (February 2002).