Tata Power Community Development Trust

Rapid Community Needs Assessment

Partner/Client
Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT)

Sector
CSR Foundation

Location
Gujarat

Tata Power has been working with communities within the vicinity of its operations through CSR initiatives under the Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) on five domains: Education, Health & Sanitation, Livelihood & Skills, Water and Financial Inclusion.
The needs assessment study by 4th Wheel Social Impact was commissioned to understand the key areas of need and map out the next phase of CSR interventions in six villages in Dwarka district in Gujarat.
The exploratory rapid needs assessment was conducted between December 2020 and March 2021.

APPROACH

Each of the six project locations was assessed via a village profile tool, gaining insights on village details and demographics, infrastructure, housing and living conditions, status of education, health status, livelihoods and employment, and migration patterns. Each location was subsequently scored via a scoring framework to identify vulnerabilities and areas of support.
The education, healthcare, FPO, energy, and other community institutions in the villages were profiled to gain insights into their respective status, spends, and needs.
Structured interview tools were deployed for each of the respondents, i.e.: 1) Sarpanch, 2) Anganwadi Worker (AWW), 3) Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), 4) Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), 5) Primary Health Centre (PHC), 6) School Principal, 7) Self-Help Group (SHG), 8) School Management Committee (SMC), 9) Village Health Sanitation Nutrition Committee, 10) Women Leader.
A total of 62 respondents were reached via purposive and snowball sampling.
Existing programs based on contextual development needs, current presence of development assistance and social organisations, and potential partners were mapped to determine potential for collaborations.

Most students dropped out of school owing to the long distances to higher education institutes and the absence of available public transport.
Community characteristics of low economic status and poor education levels resulted in poor awareness on health and hygiene practices, poor nutrition and ignorance on the importance of health care services.
Most households were engaged with farming, but agriculture profitability was very low. As a result, many migrated to nearby cities like Mithapur and Dwarka.
Many households used well water for drinking and household purposes. There was severe water scarcity faced by residents of all villages.
Most households had bank accounts. Many accounts have been opened under the Jan Dhan Yojna.

Education status can be improved by focusing on basic infrastructure improvements such as electricity, RO plants, water connections, and toilets in schools and by scaling the remedial education program in villages.
Health conditions can be addressed by implementing programs which focus on maternal health and malnutrition among communities, given as malnutrition and anaemia were primary health concerns.
Livelihood improvements will be seen through scale-up of existing interventions on water harvesting infrastructure, strengthening of local SHGs and FPOs, and by promoting micro-entrepreneurship among communities.