Programming Strategy
NAMCO employs a multi-pronged approach to poverty reduction. It strives to address both causes and effects of poverty, which are often vicious, and perpetuating poverty endlessly. NAMCO has identified five sectors that are critical in helping communities overcome the challenges of poverty. Yes, it is a five-pillared approach to programming that NAMCO has adopted over the past three decades.
NAMCO has always placed women and children at the core of its programming strategy. It is of the view that any positive changes in the lives of women and children will leave deeper impact on families, communities and society. Therefore, whenever opportunities arose, NAMCO has utilized them effectively in building the capabilities of women and children. It is for this reason NAMCO has started being the ‘collaboration’ agency for implementing the CHILDLINE program in Thiruvarur district since 2015.
There are multiple advantages of collectivizing women, who are often the project participants. NAMCO is cognizant of the scale advantage it brings, the learning opportunities, strength of solidarity and strength to negotiate with markets and mainstream actors and institutions etc. This has been the major driving force for NAMCO to promote women SHGs, SHG federations and Farmers’ Producer Organizations (FPOs).
Bringing about meaningful and lasting changes in the lives and livelihoods of people is a long drawn process. There is no short cut to sustainable socio-economic empowerment of women and communities. NAMCO is cognizant of the fact that it takes enormous efforts to bring such sustainable positive changes. When projects are of defined period and usually of short-duration nature, NAMCO is of the view that multiple projects over a long period would provide the impetus to create such positive impact on the target communities. Therefore, even if NAMCO is compelled to implement short-term projects, the focus is to stay relevant and connected to the ultimate goal of socio-economic empowerment of the target communities.