Empowerment is built, not delivered.
Our participatory method helps villagers understand their own situation, set their own priorities and grow into self-reliant organisations with their own leadership.
Listening first: Participatory Rural Appraisal
We begin by meeting the village leadership, then sitting down with the men and women of the village. Using PRA — well suited to people with little or no literacy — the community maps its own situation: wealth and poverty, crops and seasons, water sources, roads, priorities, and which institutions matter to them.
It usually happens outdoors. Everything is drawn on the ground, with leaves, stones, sticks and pulses marking resources and locations. It is relaxed and non-confrontational, and everyone takes part because everyone is asked for their opinion.
The drawings are transferred to paper and the villagers' own findings are presented back — by them. From there, a provisional action plan is prepared together with the community.
From small groups to people's organisations
Small, like-minded groups of 12–15 women or men are formed. They learn to run a group, manage finances, write minutes and understand their basic rights. They begin lending to each other from their own savings.
We then link group leaders with local banks, first for small loans. Once credibility is proven, a second loan can fund an income-generating activity — goats, a cow, a small shop, food processing, developing their land. Family income grows, and so do confidence and self-esteem.
The Community Based Organisation (CBO)
A CBO brings together 10–15 mature groups ready to take charge of local development on their own.
Approach authorities
Engage with local officials and Panchayats, and enforce their legal rights.
Run enterprises
Start collective micro-enterprise projects with their own leadership.
Build capacity
Learn leadership, finance management, administration and gender equity.
Each CBO selects a Community Resource Person (CRP) and is legally registered under the Societies Act. It takes five to seven years to turn dependency into self-reliance with genuine local leadership.
20 CBOs across two districts (as of April 2009).
In the Nilgiris, the Gudalur Block's four Panchayats — O'Valley, Gudalur, Devarshola and Nellakottai. In the Erode district, five Panchayats of the Thalavadi Block.
Where we work