The Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), in collaboration with SCODWES, is conducting a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment Study for Sandur taluk. The primary goal of this initiative is to foster continuous improvement and empowerment of rural communities, particularly the marginalized, across sectors such as income, livelihood, agriculture, health, education, sanitation, and the environment. By addressing these areas, the study aims to enhance livelihoods, build human, social, and economic capital, and promote community spirit by improving both physical and basic amenities.

Objective of Need Assessment

• To study the status of development at the Grama Panchayat Level in terms of availability of community resources, socio-economic issues and development needs
• To study the development status and reach of Govt and other schemes to the people across all the panchayats
• To understand community needs and priorities through participatory approach
• To provide a development road map for the Sandurublockbasedontheempiricalevidenceandexpertconsultationwhichcanbeusedby Govt / NGOs and CSR organizations for taking up need-based development projects through a ‘complementary approach’.

The study’s central objective is to evaluate the current socio-economic status of disadvantaged populations, such as rural children, youth, women, and their families, along with their engagement with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). It seeks to gather data on sectoral development, identify gaps in infrastructure and services, and provide insights for future economic and human development initiatives. Ultimately, this assessment will contribute to the creation of a tailored, needs-based plan designed to address the specific requirements of these marginalized communities.

To achieve these objectives, the government has launched initiatives that integrate government programs with private and voluntary efforts to achieve comprehensive development. These initiatives aim to align with the aspirations of the people and the local capabilities, with the vision of transforming Sandur Taluk into a “Suvarna Sandur.”

This study will employ an explanatory design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather primary and secondary data, with the objective of assessing development needs and creating a roadmap for future progress. The quantitative approach will include Gramapanchayath and Taluk profiling using available secondary data, evaluating household development status and needs, and conducting household surveys. The qualitative approach will encompass Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) at the Panchayat level, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with various community sections, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with grassroots service providers, and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with block-level officials and development experts. This component will focus on identifying the root causes of problems and gathering community suggestions and recommendations for development. The study will be conducted over four months, from December 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Through this comprehensive assessment, GRAAM aims to design a detailed and actionable development plan for Sandur Taluk that effectively addresses the community’s needs and aspirations.