The Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD), a nonprofit,voluntary organisation of social workers, educators, architects, engineers, scientists, technologists and others,strives to facilitate for empowering and enabling the poor and weaker sections of society to improve their living conditions by application of appropriate and people-friendly technologies and adopting participatory, transparent, and gender-sensitive processes.COSTFORD continually seeks to extend its reach in the areas of advocacy, campaigns for societal improvement, and emergency response. For example, the organisation works in partnership with legal support and counseling services such as Niyama Sameeksha, Kerala Legal Service Authority (KELSA), District Legal Service Authority, and Nanma, a cell for prevention of suicide.
(a) Identification of activity
(b) decision making and planning
(c) sharing costs
(d) implementation
(e) receipt of benefits
(f) monitoring and evaluation.
- Design and construction of houses for Tribals and Weaker Sections
- Design and construction of public buildings like panchayat offices, agricultural offices and primary health centres
- Design and construction of institutional buildings
- Energy saving devices
- Drudgery reduction devices
- Skill development programs
- Skill upgradation programs
- Employability enhancement training
- Pre-test coaching for different competitive examinations.
- Status of women
- Participation of women and weaker sections in Grama Sabhas
- Development index of panchayats
- Technological change and employment
Studies have also been undertaken to assess such situations as the tendency of anemia in women and depression in women (and estimated 37% depressed in Kerala society). When women in the coir industry were experiencing severe back pain, a study was undertaken that recommended a simple solution: building a small working platform in front of each woman who they wouldn’t have to bend over to work the material.
- Publication of manuals, booklets, and handbooks
- Conducting workshops, seminars, exhibitions, training sessions, and site visits
- Maintaining a presence on the Internet
- Helping establish local educational institutions
Germany has long had community colleges for assisting in training immigrant workers. In 2009, the Central government announced a policy for establishing such 2-year colleges in rural areas and COSTFORD was chosen as one of 40 organisations to initiate this effort to provide technical education to the Associate degree level.
IGNOU-COSTFORD Community College (IGNOU = Indira Gandhi Nehru Open University), based in Ayyanthole, Thrissur, is approaching the end of its second year of offering three programmes: Construction Technology, Business Administration, and Hospitality Management. All new efforts have varying degrees of success and IGNOU-COSTFORD is no exception and is still experiencing growing pains.
The Construction Technology programmestarted with 30 students from the Economically Weaker Sector and 23 are now nearing completion of their programme in May, 2011 and are being sought for employment.
The Business Administration programme started with 20 students and now 16 are nearing graduation time and all have been offered employment.
The Hospitality Management programme started with 7 students and diminished to 4 and now finally 3, but employment opportunities also beckon these successful graduates.
The programmes are 4 semesters in duration over the course of 2 years. Current tuition is Rs. 30,000 for each programme. Faculty are drawn from engineering colleges, COSTFORD engineers, and retirees.
- Project preparations for programmes under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
- Project preparation under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) in Changanacherry, Chavakkad, Guruvayur, municipalities
- Project formulation for a public-private-people participation project titled “Ente Gramam Ente Swapnam”
(My Village, My Dream) in Talikulam Grama Panchayath with objectives of :
- Employment for All
- Houses for All
- Education for All
- Health for All
- Social Security for all in the Panchayath
- Project formulation and implementation of Thrissur District Total Housing Project
- Project preparation for the establishment of Laurie Baker Centre for Habitat Studies in Vilappilsala, Thiruvananthapuram District
- Project preparation and design of buildings for Montessori MES Senior Secondary School, Pattambi
- Technical consultancy for Operation Black Board and DPEP
- Technical support For EMS Housing Programme of the Government of Kerala
- Technical support for preparation of project reports for SJSY Groups
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