Ongoing Projects (click topics to expand/collapse) 

The Communication Hub with MaRS Monitoring & Research Systems Pvt. Ltd. has been engaged by UNICEF to design a statewide communication strategy and action plan to advance NRHM outcomes on maternal and child health in Jharkhand. The assignment includes extensive research, design of the communication strategy, enhancing capacities to plan and implement BCC interventions at all levels, media planning, and support in the design and roll–out of an integrated communication plan that includes a robust M&E framework.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has engaged The Communication Hub to design and develop two training packages for Outreach Workers and Peer Educators of Targeted Intervention projects on Injection Drug Usage. The packages are being developed basis extensive desk review, site visits and observation of ongoing training programmes for Outreach staff and Peer Educators. Supported by a range of visual aids and reminder materials, the packages address a gamut of issues surrounding harm reduction, including building knowledge on technical subjects such as OST and abscess management, as also touching on behavioural and attitudinal issues and field challenges.

The Communication Hub, in partnership with HDI in Orissa, is developing a comprehensive communication strategy and plan for involvement of men in the care of their wives during pregnancy and the post partum period. The communication strategy, based on field research and stakeholder dialogue, includes the development of campaign materials as also training in their effective usage. A set of M&E indicators are being developed to monitor the process and impact of the communication campaign. TCH will also be engaged in capacity building to provide skills in the use of the media materials. TCH is working with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, under the DFID supported Orissa Health Sector Plan.

 

Projects Undertaken (click topics to expand/collapse) 

Senior professionals from The Communication Hub developed a comprehensive Communication Strategy for the Right to Information Act, so that the public is made aware of their rights under the Act and how these rights may be exercised. The communication strategy development involved a participatory process and included field research as also the creative development of concepts. The strategy is being implemented by the Government of India in partnership with State Governments.

The Communication Hub developed a comprehensive communication strategy that aimed to enhance community responsiveness to WASH rights of children and develop key messages and tools for the project including participatory training in the use of community communication formats such as street theatre. The project was an initiative of Save the Children Finland-SARO on child rights programming and WASH, and was based in Madhya Pradesh.

The first phase of the project included participatory training on street theatre during which 32 village youth were trained on the basics of street theatre and script writing, and undertook village level performances. In the second phase of the project, The Communication Hub developed a range of communication tools including IPC aids and mid-media materials. These included comic books, audio products, interactive aids for village coordinators, advocacy materials, and such like. This phase also included participatory workshops at village level, for example with children to develop the comic books, and capacity building workshops for the staff at the field level.

Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide techno-managerial and financial support to NACO and SACS in the six high prevalence states. As part of this grant, The Communication Hub developed high quality, user friendly training packages for implementation of effective training programmes in a spectrum of areas, including Injecting Drug Usage, Program Management, Peer Education and Outreach. The training packages included the detailed curriculum and training tools, and a spectrum of print and interactive aids. In addition, four films were produced to support the training. The Communication Hub also conducted the training of trainers on the usage of the packages.

Under the PHFI/BMGF supported project, The Communication Hub was engaged in the design and development of an extended training curriculum for STI Counsellors under the government program. The 12-day training package included a variety of interactive sessions and communication aids to support the same. A film on enhancing counseling skills, accompanied by a facilitator’s guide, was also developed. The project also included a component to train the trainers in the use of the package.

The Communication Hub in partnership with Squirkle Productions and MaRS Monitoring & Research Systems Pvt. Ltd, engaged in the strategic design and development of a multi-state campaign to promote the adoption of Intra-uterine devices as a spacing method. The campaign was initiated by DKT India, a leading social marketing organization.

For DKT India,The Communication Hub in partnership with Squirkle Productions and MaRS Monitoring & Research Systems Pvt. Ltd, engaged in the strategic design and development of a multi-state campaign to promote the adoption of safe medical abortion. The Communication Hub designed the strategy, provided support during development of the campaign products, and also led the orientation of stakeholders on the campaign components and implementation.

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) felt the need to develop a comprehensive training package for ASHA workers on maternal and neonatal health that could be standardized for use under NRHM, with appropriate regional language adaptations as may be warranted. The Communication Hub, developed a comprehensive training package for the same, including interactive aids such as animation films, and take away materials for field usage such as flipbooks and other low literacy visual aids. The project was supported by the Gates Foundation and Population Council. To view the visual aids click here.

For DKT India, The Communication Hub conceptualized and developed an integrated set of public education posters and flip charts covering key messages from the spectrum of HIV/AIDS Communication - touching on prevention, testing, counselling, risk perception, stigma, living with HIV, and others. The materials were developed in multiple languages.

The Communication Hub in partnership with MaRS Monitoring and Research Systems Pvt. Ltd (MaRS) undertook the development of a comprehensive Communication Strategy for effective implementation of ICDS IV in the state of Chhattisgarh. TCH and MaRS worked for CARE on this project and followed a participatory process of strategy design, incorporating inputs from a wide range of stakeholders. The assignment included extensive formative research as also reviewing and cataloguing of communication campaign materials in ICDS and allied sectors.

The Communication Hub was commissioned by UNDP/NACO to undertake a project on sensitizing personnel from the Ministry of Tourism and its affiliate and partner organizations on HIV/AIDS. Through a series of participatory and interactive workshops, personnel were oriented to HIV/AIDS and its potential to adversely impact the tourism sector. The workshops dealt with issues ranging from stigma and discrimination to myths and misconceptions on HIV/AIDS. Most importantly, through this process, the Ministry of Tourism was appraised of the importance and the modalities of initiating workplace programs and taking steps towards mainstreaming HIV/AIDS through their affiliate and partner bodies.

The National Rural Health Mission and the National AIDS Control Programme III, recognizing the need to build on the efforts of the last few decades in condom social marketing, engaged The Communication Hub to develop the strategy and action plan for the same. The project involved an appraisal of the last 5 years of condom promotion in India with a view to developing a new thrust and direction, while simultaneously fast tracking existing communication products on condom promotion.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection in people living with the HIV virus. Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is working with high risk behaviour groups and has recently integrated care and support services for HIV positive persons which include management of Opportunistic Infections such as TB. FHI, a key partner under the Avahan India Initiative, proposed to train Outreach Workers and Peer Educators at the implementing NGO level with technical assistance from the State Lead Partners.

The Communication Hub developed a training package on TB under the program. The package, developed through a participatory process, included a training film made in animation along with a facilitators’ manual and a set of low literacy visual aids.

The Communication Hub conducted TOT workshops on using the TB package for the State Lead Partners under the Avahan/FHI Project. The workshops followed a participatory methodology and oriented the trainers on how to use the range of communication aids that supported the package. Trained partners included participants from the Astha Project, KHPT, Corridors, TAI, HLFPPT, HIV/AIDS Alliance, Project Orchid, and Pathfinder International, who would in turn train the Outreach Workers and Peer Educators under the Avahan project.

A senior professional from The Communication Hub is a member of an international review team that’s undertaking an appraisal of the polio communication efforts under UNICEF’s program in India. The review has undergone two rounds (2008); the next mission will be undertaken in October 2009.

A senior professional from The Communication Hub was engaged in a stakeholder perception study for Population Services International, a leading international NGO. The perception study involved discussions with senior most professionals drawn from the range of key stakeholders including the government, donors, as well as private sector organizations.

IPPF, GNP+ and UNFPA are committed to reducing the stigma experienced by young people living with HIV, in particular young women and girls. The Communication Hub was assigned the task to develop a multimedia advocacy tool that documents the hopes, dreams and desires of young people living with HIV. The project involved the development of short videos through a workshop process that comprised media training for the young .people involved. The interviews, production and post production work were all carried out by people living with HIV from the national network.

Professionals from The Communication Hub were involved in the development of the state level Annual Action Plan (2008-2009) for Bihar State AIDS Control Society (BSACS) under a UNICEF consultancy. The assignment involved review of secondary data and existing plans, evaluation of proposed activities, meetings with the key state level stakeholders including communication managers, doctors, counsellors and PLHIV to develop a full-fledged actionable plan for HIV/AIDS communication in the state.

The Communication Hub was awarded a grant under the South Asia Region Development Marketplace administered by the World Bank to conceptualize and implement a project on reduction of stigma relating to HIV/AIDS. Our project used radio to reach out to communities, including health workers, employers, and families. In partnership with NMP+ we developed and produced a series of slice-of-life radio episodes that moved away from negative portrayals and instead showcased that for every one person who stigmatizes, there is someone who accepts. The project was presented at the World Bank Satellite at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna 2010.