{For a Peaceful Green World} Green Circle

GCO’s Role & Operational Area

GCO believes that the people themselves are the best judge of their problems and most efficient implementers of positive change. However, it is necessary to organize them and impart to them awareness of various political and socio-economic factors affecting their lives. The fundamental building block of alternative development is the consciousness and understanding of participatory development and its use as a tool in the solution of the people’s problems. GCO defines its role as a facilitator in enabling the disadvantaged rural communities in realizing and achieving their development objectives. The organization is at present working at the grass root level in the rural areas of several districts of Punjab. Group formation and then developing the groups into independent CBOs is the first step of GCO’s program. To date 53 CBOs have been established, which are now undertaking independent initiatives according to their requirements. The members of these CBOs are exclusively small and landless farmers including women farmers. However, rural women who are not exclusively engaged in agriculture are also included. Loans are extended to CBO members for agricultural inputs and other rural micro enterprise development. The latter area has specially been focussed for rural women. Development is an integrated process and a wholesome picture can only emerge if all sectors are given due attention. Therefore GCO also provides support to the CBOs in areas other than agriculture, which are identified by them (education, health etc.) as their need. This effort on the part of GCO to involve communities in the process of development through mobilization, capacity building and empowerment will lead to achieve the long-term goal of sustainable development through capacity building of the communities and make them self-reliant in overcoming their problems. GCO is at present working in 64 villages (52 CBOs) of various districts of Punjab.
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