Technical Expertise
Community Organization
Community organization is at the root of all activities undertaken by COODU. To begin with,
sensitization and awareness generation on specific need-based themes is done on a
massive scale using various mass media. This is followed up by mobilizing communities into
well-knit entities – be it in watershed development, health, social welfare, environment or
integrated rural development.
Mobilization and Advocacy
COODU has been constructive in not only mobilization of people at the grassroots level with
a focus on the poorest of the poor but also enabled in voicing its views at appropriate forums
thereby influencing policy and engaging in necessary advocacy-related activities. In all
districts where COODU implements programmes, it has maintained good rapport with the
district administration and all departments.
Community Needs Assessment
In all sectors of development, prior to launch of a programme, COODU conducts a
need-based Community Needs Assessment to examine the current priorities of the
community that is to be followed up by an action plan for implementation. Thus,
COODU’s Community Needs Assessment extends to planning for Watershed
development, income generating programmes for women, identification of needs of
People Living with HIV/ AIDS, environmental development and so on. Such
assessments are done through participatory approach involving all affected people in
the village/ group.
Training Assessment
COODU has conducted Training Needs Assessment of its project personnel thereby
identifying their needs and providing with appropriate training in skill building and
enhancement of capabilities. Thus, COODU has provided Leadership Training,
Training on Use and Access of Information and Vocational Training especially to
marginalised groups.
Participatory Methodology (PRA/PLM)
The participatory approach entails use of participatory methodology in assessing and
monitoring socio-economic development activities at the grassroots level. COODU
has earned the expertise in not only conducting Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA)
in its project areas but has also extended training other NGOs and CBOs as well as
officials of various departments in PRA/PLM techniques.
The various tools used under the PRA method include:
a. Transect Walk
b. Participatory Resource Mapping
c. Social Mapping
d. Seasonal Calendar
e. Wealth Ranking
f. Participatory Venn Diagram
g. Time Line and Trends
h. Flow Diagram (Cause and Effect Relationship)
i. Tree-preference Matrix Ranking
j. SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats)
Formation of Grass Root Institutions
Following the PRAs, conducts of various groups are formed such as User Groups, Area Groups,
Water Users Association, Self Help Groups among women in the watershed areas and so on. The
focus is also on strengthening the existing village level institutions (local bodies such as
Panchayats).
GIS in Micro-Watershed Planning
COODU uses the latest technology along with local knowledge obtained by the
people to fine tune its project activities. In this context, COODU has used
Geographical Information System (GIS) in preparation of Watershed Atlas in
planning for Micro-Watersheds. The maps are digitised and final reports are
prepared crosschecking data through satellite-generated aerial maps.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Concurrent monitoring and evaluation is critical for all projects. COODU pursues stringent
monitoring and evaluation of individual projects through periodic monitoring. Monthly,
Quarterly, Half-yearly Monitoring and Terminal Evaluation at the end of the project phase are
important means of assessing project performance. Key performance Indicators are
developed on the basis of which projects are monitored. More importantly, feedback
obtained at the end of each cycle is fed into redesigning projects for maximum output.
Technical Expertise
COODU believes in applying advanced technology at the grassroots level. In its
quest for recognised technical capability, COODU has a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore
and has close technical collaboration with Gandhigram Rural University, Dindigul.
The external Technical Experts of COODU comprise specialists in respective fields
with experience in National and International aid agencies including the World Bank,
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), United States Agency for
International Development, (USAID), Department for International Development
(DFID), Sexual Health Resource Centre (SHRC), State Planning Commissions,
State AIDS Control Societies, as well as National Research and Development
Institutes, Deemed Universities and Government Departments. These ‘think tanks’
include engineers, doctors and social scientists who are experts in the field of
Agriculture, Rural Development, Solid Waste Management, Health including
HIV/AIDS, Economic Growth, Culture and Communication, Women Development,
Science and Technology, GIS & Remote Sensing and Information Technology.
Research, Documentation and Multimedia
Documenting various activities of the development organisation is very important for
the effective functioning, monitoring and evaluation of any projects. Research on
various aspects of project planning and implementation are also essential for any
social development activity. COODU imparted training for watershed communities.
The organization published manuals and pamphlets for the benefit of the project
authorities and beneficiaries. COODU has been implementing number of
programmes and creating lot of sets for the benefit of the watershed community of
our selected watershed areas ever since the inception of the organisation. The
organization has set up excellent infrastructure for documenting several projects
through using latest digital audio visual aids. All the activities related on watershed
related programmes are documented such as action plan for each and every
watershed, a model proposal on watershed programmes, health and sanitation,
common facility centre, agriculture related information, information on solid waste
management, short notes on watershed schemes and training reports. COODU has
kept video & CDs on watershed programmes for selected projects.
COODU has established an exclusive survey and research division specialising in
technical quantitative and qualitative surveys in diverse fields – ranging from
geographical survey to social and behavioural survey. It has a pool of experts drawn
from different fields with several man years of research and field experience in the
fields of Agriculture, Engineer, Horticulture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Humanities
and Social Sciences.
Socio-economic and baseline surveys are conducted during the preliminary stages
of the project that help in determining the socio- economic status of the project areas
as well as set a standard to enable drawing comparisons over time. The same is
also useful for triangulation with other research methods such as review of
secondary sources and qualitative or participatory research exercises and
documented all the data. IEC materials in Tamil and English were produced on
various activities in different districts of Tamil Nadu.
Networking with Other Organizations
COODU has involved and taking part of various networks at state and national levels.
Especially COODU has been formed ECO TECH CONSORTIUM a network consortium
through the joint efforts with Peace Trust, Dindigul, READ, Dindigul, Gramium, Karur,
CARE, Trichy and Green Global Adsorbents, Coimbatore. The Consortium has signed an
MoU with Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), Coimbatore for Quality Certification of
its technology of converting Solid Waste into Organic Manure. It also has close rapport with
Gandhigram Rural University, Dindigul and other reputed research institutions.
