Gram Vikas support to community-managed rural water supplies, Odisha

Community Water Plus, a research project, has investigated twenty case studies of successful community managed rural water supply programmes across 17 states in India. Through these case studies, the research has gained insight into the type and amount of support to community organisations that is needed, and the resources implications of this 'plus' – in terms of money, staffing, and other factors. This document presents the case of the NGO Gram Vikas in Odisha, that has been developing and supporting community-managed rural water supplies across the State.

Gram Vikas works with communities on development issues with water and sanitation being the entry point. The Gram Vikas model aims at making communities self-sufficient. Its role at the time of entry is of a community mobiliser, at the implementation stage it plays a role of a trainer, post construction it assumes the role of a facilitator, building the villagers' capacity to manage systems independently.

Another key tenet of the programme is the provision of high levels of services with household connections and 24x7 supply. The scheme of Gram Vikas has brought wider benefits to the community members, as time used to fetch water is now being used for economic activities by women. Further, Gram Vikas villages have also become a preferred choice for women to get married into.