The ILO cooperation with India regarding Employment Intensive Investment Programme started in 1981. During the last 16 years, the ILO supported three field projects, two located in the State of West Bengal and the third one in the State of Tamil Nadu. The main objective of all the three field projects was: poverty alleviation through creation of employment and generation of income for the rural poor. Project activities aimed at the creation and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure, water conservation and development, soil conservation and forestry, irrigation and related works.

More recently, ILO/ASIST-AP started working with the Bilani Institute of Technology and Science, the Orissa State Volunteers and Social Workers Association and the Orissa Forum for Rural Transport and Development to develop and implement 2 IRAP pilot projects in Rajastan and Orissa States. The main objective of these pilot project is to test the feasibility of applying IRAP in India and preparing country specific materials.

The ASIST-AP approach to effective engagement in rural infrastructure programmes in India is initially to help a small number of State and District authorities, through a series of demonstration initiatives, to better plan and implement the PMGSY rural infrastructure project. This will help ensure value for money for the Indian people through cost-effective construction methods being used to build roads that, through effective local level planning, meet the requirements of local communities. It is expected the demonstration initiatives will provide conclusive evidence to support the case for mainstreaming these methods and practices into Government policies.