1990's saw a metamorphosis in the civil society space in India. There were many bold initiatives and novel experiments launched by way of starting of NGOs purportedly catering to development needs. Ensuing globalization not only did throw up new spaces but also new challenges. NGOs needed new knowledge, new linkages and new capacities to operate in this ever expanding but fluid space. Debating this, a group of friends with development concerns but sharing a heterogeneous background as development practitioners, academicians and grassroots workers gave shape to a small organisation that they would call as Centre for Education, Development Action and Research (CEDAR). It was the year 1994. CEDAR from then on would run Capacity Building Programmes for small and emerging NGOs who cannot normally afford big training costs.

CEDAR's zeal and vision was early recognised by none other than Allied Dunbar Community Trust, now known as Zurich Financial Services Community Trust. The UK based Trust entered into a six year partnership with CEDAR by providing the much needed seed money and training support. This corporate partnership was the mainstay during the founding phase. This also incidentally gave CEDAR easy international access.

Later, individual programme supports came from such organisations as British High Commission (India), HelpAge Asia, ActionAid India, Tamilnadu Women Development Corporation, and Joe Homan Charity, UK. CEDAR is a registered trust under Trust Act (1881). The Ministry of Home Affairs in India has recognized CEDAR under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.

Major strategic shift came when CEDAR decided to anchor itself in grassroots work taking particular interest in child rights issues and addressing livelihood options of women. The idea is to generate knowledge from action. Now, CEDAR's grassroots development activities extend to 265 villages in South Tamilnadu. The legendary cedar tree is supposed to bridge the earth and heaven. CEDAR now is rooted firmly in the soil of Southern India, its branches ever trying to stretch beyond the regional and national boundaries.