Auroville Village Action Group

Focusing on prevention, education, relief, and rehabilitation, this initiative advocates for community engagement and encourages individuals to extend support to one another, especially those most in need. Whether it's responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2004 tsunami, the 2011 cyclone, or the heavy rains in 2015, the approach to emergency situations emphasizes facilitating connections and mutual assistance within the community.
AVAG plays a pivotal role as the primary organization for disaster management in Vanur block, collaborating closely with the District Disaster Management Department in Villupuram.

The work camps and micro projects have a dual focus: they address minor physical infrastructure issues in rural communities while fostering a sense of shared responsibility and ownership within these communities.
Firstly, these initiatives begin with the identification of common problems by the local people themselves. They collectively brainstorm solutions and pool resources from various channels to tackle the issue effectively. Typically, communities contribute up to 50% of the required resources, which may include cash, in-kind donations, or labour.
Furthermore, these projects often serve as opportunities for diverse caste and gender groups to collaborate and work together harmoniously. They play a vital role in enabling underprivileged individuals to enhance their local infrastructure and are instrumental in women's groups gaining recognition within their respective communities.

Beyond simply raising awareness, our community celebrations serve a dual purpose: they promote the development of organizational and leadership skills among participants and offer a platform to showcase their unique talents. These celebrations inspire individuals to transcend their personal limitations, fostering newfound confidence to pursue their aspirations.
Managed by AVAG in collaboration with other community-based organizations, these events foster cooperation and solidarity among participants. At the conclusion of each celebration, a profound sense of fulfillment and unity permeates the communities involved.
AVAG commemorates events such as Women's Solidarity Festival, Harvest Festival, International Women's Day, International Children's Day, Water Festival, Appreciation of Young Talents, as well as numerous youth-oriented festivals and sports days.

AVAG organizes Exposure Trips with the following objectives: promoting social and cultural exchange between Auroville and the bioregion, enhancing skills and knowledge through the exploration of alternative and best practices, and establishing connections for accessing support and collaboration.
Participants embark on visits to locations of environmental, cultural, educational, and historical significance in various parts of Tamil Nadu, as well as Auroville units specializing in renewable energies, organic farming, herbal kitchen gardens, healing, and alternative technologies.
These trips also include visits to other institutions such as Kisan Vignan Kendra, Farmer Producer Organizations, and organizations dedicated to the safety and rights of women, children, farmers, and vulnerable populations. These experiences leave participants inspired to contribute to their own future and introduce them to like-minded groups facing similar challenges.

These camps, conducted in collaboration with various community stakeholders, serve as an impactful means of reaching a large segment of the population, with a special focus on marginalized groups such as the impoverished, elderly, women, and children. These camps connect villages with essential services and facilities that would otherwise be challenging for the general public to access. Additionally, in partnership with the government, special events such as Nutrition Week, Ayurveda Day, and Breastfeeding Week are organized to enhance public awareness.
AVAG also organises events such as women's health camps, eye camps, veterinary camps, and legal camps.

This program is dedicated to enhancing the mental and emotional well-being of individuals by providing essential support. The core mission of the psychosocial support program is to empower individuals with effective coping mechanisms for managing stress and recovering from traumatic experiences.
The approach involves close collaboration with therapists who offer training in various healing techniques, including somatic experiencing, energy healing, laughter yoga, and art therapy. It also provides sessions for individuals and families dealing with severe trauma. Additionally, it establishes partnerships with rehabilitation centers and short stay homes in the region to assist those in need of daily care and support.

The program places a strong emphasis on fostering need-based and participatory economic growth, with a specific focus on uplifting marginalized groups and promoting inclusive practices. This comprehensive approach involves:
1. Facilitating the adoption of democratic and equitable processes in all economic endeavors. This is achieved through training sessions that cover ethical lending, financial literacy, and the establishment of livelihood and enterprise initiatives.
2. Collaborating closely with the Udhayam Women’s Federation to strategize, monitor progress, and execute economic development activities effectively.
3. Developing sustainable economic models tailored to the specific needs of communities, particularly those that are most disadvantaged.
4. Raising awareness about the various financial schemes offered by banks and the government, and actively connecting eligible beneficiaries to these schemes, ensuring they can access the financial support available to them.

The integral education program is designed to foster self-empowerment and promotes social change among individuals. It serves as a cornerstone in cultivating social harmony and unity within the operational area. The program caters to a diverse range of participants, including women, youth, men, elected and traditional leaders, teachers, children, Auroville guests and newcomers, as well as students from various universities.
In response to the expressed needs of the communities, it provides a variety of educational initiatives, including participatory training sessions, seminars, workshops, and educational programs tailored to different segments of the community.

The Udhayam Women’s Federation comprises approximately 300 Women’s Groups with over 5,000 members, serving as a vital link between AVAG and individual women’s groups.
General body members are democratically chosen from within the women's groups and serve three-year terms.
The executive committee is composed of members elected by the general body, with the executive committee subsequently selecting the federation's office bearers.
As of 2022, there are approximately 300 general body members, 35 executive committee members, and 9 office bearers.

Paalam, which translates to "bridge" in Tamil, is a collaborative project initiated by Auroville in partnership with the Bioregional Coordination Group and Youth Link. Its primary objective is to foster unity between Auroville and the neighboring villages. Paalam empowers socially-active youth, both young men and women, from 18 settlements surrounding Auroville to represent their respective villages in various development endeavors. The program encompasses youth leadership training, capacity building, sustainable development education, and exposure visits.