• Radha Krishna Mission, Sarada Nagar, Narsipatnam - 531116
  • +919886116123

Theory of Change

VJNNS envisions resilient tribal communities where women lead the movement for water security, health, and well-being. In the remote hills of the Eastern Ghats, tribal habitations face chronic water stress due to failed groundwater systems, high iron contamination, poor infrastructure, and extreme terrain. The burden of water collection falls largely on women and girls, limiting their opportunities for education, income, and dignity.

Our theory of change is grounded in the belief that water systems built, governed, and maintained by communities — especially women — are more sustainable, inclusive, and impactful. VJNNS facilitates this transformation through a replicable model centered around:

  • Community mobilization and VWSC strengthening, with 50% women leadership

  • Development and execution of Village Action Plans (VAPs) in alignment with Jal Jeevan Mission

  • Construction of Gravity-Fed Water Supply Systems (GFWSS) for year-round water access

  • Nature-based recharge solutions like spring-shed treatments, plantations, and soak pits

  • Training in water governance, greywater reuse, and long-term system upkeep

  • Digital monitoring using KOBO tools, GPS mapping, and dashboards

  • SHG and livelihood linkages that utilize time saved from water collection

This integrated model addresses five key challenges: water access, water quality, source sustainability, water governance, and wastewater management. It is designed to scale across tribal belts through peer NGO trainings, digital IEC tools, and collaboration with local and government institutions.

By empowering communities—especially women—as stewards of water, VJNNS seeks to create lasting change: healthier families, stronger local institutions, and resilient ecosystems.

Goal:

To improve the health, dignity, and economic well-being of rural and tribal communities by enabling sustainable, community-led access to safe drinking water through localized water governance, nature-based solutions, and strong women leadership.

Inputs:

  • Community mobilizers and trained technical support staff

  • Institutional frameworks like VWSCs and Gram Panchayats

  • Spring-shed recharge tools and reforestation materials

  • Construction materials and technical know-how for GFWSS

  • Digital tools (KOBO, GPS, dashboards) for planning and monitoring

  • IEC materials for capacity-building and replication

  • Partnerships with government schemes (JJM, MGNREGA, Forest Dept.) and donors

Activities:

  • Identification of water-stressed habitations

  • Mobilization and reformation of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), with 50% women representation

  • Preparation and uploading of Village Action Plans (VAPs) aligned with government protocols

  • Community-led construction of Gravity-Fed Water Supply Systems (GFWSS), including pump-based systems where needed

  • Implementation of spring-shed and source recharge activities (trenching, plantation, soak pits)

  • Training on water governance, water quality testing, greywater reuse, and system maintenance

  • Collection of household-level data through KOBO tools and use of dashboards for project monitoring

  • Facilitating SHG formation and linking saved time to livelihood enhancement

Outputs:

  • Operational and community-owned water supply systems

  • Villages with trained and functional VWSCs practicing participatory water governance

  • Water quality monitoring and basic O&M systems in place

  • Recharge zones protected and sustained through nature-based interventions

  • Household and village-level soak pits supporting greywater management

  • Transparent, real-time project tracking via digital tools

  • Knowledge-sharing through peer NGO trainings and IEC dissemination

Outcomes:

  • Reduced drudgery and time poverty for women in tribal regions

  • Increased participation of women in decision-making and SHG activities

  • Sustained year-round access to clean drinking water

  • Enhanced community ownership of local water systems

  • Improved environmental resilience and spring water retention

  • Strengthened convergence with government programs and local institutions

Impact:

  • Lasting improvements in health, gender equity, and livelihoods in rural and tribal areas

  • Empowered communities capable of sustaining their own water ecosystems

  • A scalable, replicable model for inclusive and resilient rural water governance

Document with theory of change in detail: LINK