Center for Overall Development (COD) the social work division of Catholic Diocese of Thamarassery was established in the year 1989.COD initiated its activities with the objective of giving a helping hand to the people in need particularly marginalized vulnerable communities irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. The organization was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. (Reg No. 507/89) The management of the Organization is done by a governing body and the administrative powers are vested with the Director. Now we are working with rural poor in two districts of Kerala i.e. Kozhikode and Malappuram. The entire operational area of COD is divided in to three regions and further in to nineteen units (Grama Vikasana Samithi) as part of our decentralization process.
Social Service, in order to bring about a positive change of attitude and Capacity Building of affected communities.
It has a Governing Board comprising the President, Director, Treasurer and eleven board members.
COD enjoys Consultive status with many agencies including Governmental and Non-Governmental agencies. It act as a nodal as well as implementing agency for several schemes of national and international agencies. COD is member of NGO network, Kerala Social Service Forum.
COD primary focus is on developing and empowering the Community Based Organizations which are effective
in addressing the local issues of the society, to ensure the rights and needs of the marginalized and
downtrodden, who are handicapped with inequalities on various fronts. We strive hard in developing a
greater understanding of participatory decision making which is an effective means of empowerment
with visible result. We have mobilized CBOs, SHGs, JLGs with a view to encourage people’s participation
in the development process. At present we have different forms of CBOs to address the needs of the society.
Focused on the problems and situations in our operational area we have formed groups for children, youth,
women, men and senior citizens. This is achieved best through building up of People’s Organizations by
which bargaining capacity of the people would be enhanced. Continuous capacity building exercises are
ensured for the strengthening and sustainability of the community based organizations formed
and maintained. The relevance of Peoples Organizations has a great significance in creating
progressive change in people’s lives. The aim of all the CBOs is the development of poor
and marginalized to self reliance. COD Supports to engage in social welfare activities like
income generation programes, infrastructure development, marriage aid, educational support,
treatment etc.
We are able to establish partnership with different actors and partners and this strengthen the good relationship already maintained with them. COD is able to be vibrant in responding to various social situations thanks to this esteemed partners both at national and international levels. Our achievements are the result of this great relationship with them. The major partners of the COD include Government Departments, Research Institutions, Financial Institutions, Panchayath Raj Institutions, Funding Agencies, Non- governmental etc.