Video Volunteers » Launch a Community Video Unit

Are you a Non Government Organization (NGO) interested in starting a Community Video Unit?

Every year, Video Volunteers and Drishti launch a series of new Community Video Units. Each Community Video Unit is created in partnership with an NGO, who implement the program in their field areas. We currently have Community Video Units with nine different NGOs in India; the goal is to grow that number world-wide to over fifty Community Video Units, with fifty different NGOs. Each CVU is a joint investment by Drishti/Video Volunteers and the promoting NGO.

Read here for about how the CVU works and in our Impact section for info on how a Community Video Unit benefits communities and NGOs.

If you are interested in having your NGO be part of this network, please contact us and we will send you detailed information on how the program works, and the costs involved.

To launch a Unit, typically takes between six to eight months of preparation time. The process is as follows:

You write to us expressing interest
We send you a Questionnaire, a budget, and info on how the CVU works at an NGO
You organize to allocate your funds and resources and agree to launch the CVU
We come for a site visit, finalize plans, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding, committing both parties to the process
You identify 25 villages or slum areas where the CVU will work, and hire 7-10 community members as your Community Video Producers
You purchase all the equipment necessary from our equipment list
We hire a full-time Video Trainer for your CVU, and train that person in all aspects of community media during an intensive one-month group workshop. This person will work on-site at your NGO for 18 months.
Training of Community Producers starts, and the CVU begins work!

During the first 18 months, the CVU will produce 8-10 video magazines, and reach around 10,000 people with each film. At the end of this18 months ‘innovations’ period, the video trainer will withdraw and the Unit will be technically proficient to produce videos on an ongoing basis within the NGO. Community video becomes a new program area for the NGO on an ongoing basis, until the time when the community can take over ownership of the Unit. Video Volunteers and Drishti remain involved in the Unit for years to come in different capacities, such as providing advanced training, organizing workshops for the producers, promoting mainstream distribution and joint campaigns for the producers, and coordinating the Network of NGOs and Producers.

We hope you will join us in this exciting venture!