Utthan was founded in 1981, with its initiation in the Bhal region of Dhandhuka taluka, an area of the western state of Gujarat, India. Facing ecological, social, political and economic hostilities such as salinity, drought, health issues, a patriarchal and casteist society, wherein the upper caste and money lenders having a strong hold over the socially vulnerable resulting in violence against them, especially the women. This was triggered by lack of development opportunities from the government leading to poverty, large-scale migration, illiteracy and loss of their assets.

The focus of Utthan's interventions are on Gender Empowerment, Livelihood Security and Conflict Transformation within the wider framework of promoting gender equality and equity, human rights and improving the quality of life for those on the margins of society. Hence Utthan focus on dalits, religious minorities, adivasis and poor.

Utthan believes that the greatest resource for development is the strength of the community. Once people learn that change is possible through collective effort and mutual trust, it is possible for them to intervene directly in matters of policy and implementation.