Ongoing Projects (click topics to expand/collapse) 

 

The Communication Hub, in partnership with White Cloud Productions, documented the story of how adolescents from vulnerable urban settlements in Mumbai were being adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Made for Committed Communities Development Trust, this video is a tribute to the courage of young people and community volunteers, who used mobile phones to document how gains made in the last few years on adolescent health and wellbeing were in real danger of being eroded. Watch YouTube-Video

To share the story of Romila Palliative Care (RPC) through the difficult months of the pandemic, The Communication Hub, partnered with White Cloud Productions to capture the remarkable work of the dedicated team at RPC. This video was made possible because of the clips, photographs, and stories shot on mobile phones by patients and their family members, who wanted to share their appreciation for the care and compassion displayed by the palliative care team. Watch YouTube-Video

Experience in the Development of Communication Strategies (click topics to expand/collapse) 

 

The Communication Hub provided technical support under a Gates Foundation grant to The Union to develop the framework and Action Plan to establish the ACSM pillar centred around comprehensive advocacy and communications. The overarching objective was to design a robust plan for generating large scale demand as well as community ownership, that would in turn translate to increased momentum towards the TB Jan Andolan on the ground.

IPE Global Limited engaged The Communication Hub, to develop a communication strategy, implementation plan and campaign for its Project Udaan (implemented in partnership with The Children's Investment Fund Foundation), to provide support to the Government of Rajasthan to reduce adolescent fertility in the state. The project was undertaken in a phased manner with an extensive literature review of relevant materials, stakeholder meetings, and primary qualitative research that fed into the final communication strategy and roll-out plan. TCH also provided a set of in-built monitoring and impact indicators to assess the impact of communication efforts.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by UNAIDS to develop a communication strategy for Mumbai Districts AIDS Control Society (MDACS) on HIV/AIDS. The strategy was developed through a review of communication materials and an analysis of secondary data, as well as one-on-one and group interactions with stakeholders from the community, donors, the government, and private sector. The comprehensive communication strategy for Mumbai also identified communication partners to help sustain the fast track response in Mumbai so as to achieve its 90-90-90 targets by 2020.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by UNICEF to develop a communication strategy to address the key issues related to newborn survival, particularly in the context of the Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) programme in Uttar Pradesh. TCH undertook a Communication Needs Assessment to understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices of community members as well as key influencers and service providers. The results then shaped the final strategy that provided an overall plan for behaviour change communication to strengthen the HBNC programme and improve neonatal and maternal care services.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had engaged The Communication Hub to lead the development of a comprehensive communication strategy and action plan on urban sanitation for the Ministry of Urban Development, in support of the Prime Minister�s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (2015-2019). The strategy and action plan was based on primary and secondary research and in turn this informed the implementation of a multi-media 360� campaign on urban sanitation.

The Communication Hub, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will lead the design and development of a comprehensive communication strategy for Family Planning for India that would serve as a blueprint for guiding implementers working in the programme at all levels. In addition to developing the overarching strategy, an implementation plan for roll-out will be designed, and a comprehensive M&E plan and a strategic positioning platform for communication will be developed. The project also seeks to step up engagement of all partners working in this space by involving them in the design and development of the strategy and implementation plan. The Communication Hub will also be part of the roll out of the strategy in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The Communication Hub, was engaged in the development of a comprehensive communication strategy for the Right to Information Act to be implemented by the Government of India in partnership with State Governments. The communication strategy development involved a participatory process which included field research as well as the creative development of concepts.

The Communication Hub, in association with MaRS Monitoring and Research Systems Pvt. Ltd., was engaged to develop a comprehensive Communication Strategy and actionable Media Plan for the Office of DC, MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Ministry of MSME, Government of India. The communication strategy development involved a participatory process and included a communication audit, a communication needs assessment, and the development of implementation and monitoring plans.

The Communication Hub, with MaRS Monitoring & Research Systems Pvt. Ltd. was 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 included extensive research and design of the communication strategy including dissemination of the strategy through regional workshops held across the state.

The Communication Hub, in association with MaRS Monitoring & Research Systems Pvt. Ltd. was engaged by Child In Need Institute (CINI) to design a communication strategy on maternal, child health and nutrition for the districts of Dumka and Jamtara in Jharkhand. The assignment included a KAP study across 12 villages that formed the basis for the design of the BCC strategy.

The Communication Hub, in partnership with MaRS Monitoring and Research Systems Pvt. Ltd. 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 the review and cataloguing of communication campaign materials in ICDS and allied sectors.

The Communication Hub, in partnership with HDI in Orissa, developed a comprehensive communication strategy and plan for involvement of men in the care of their wives during pregnancy and the post-partum period. The project was undertaken for the Department of Health & Family Welfare under the DFID supported Orissa Health Sector Plan. The communication strategy was based on desk and field research as well as stakeholder dialogue, and included the development of a creative positioning platform for the involvement of men.

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.

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 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.

Experience in the Development of Training Packages and in Facilitation of Training (click topics to expand/collapse) 

State Training Resource Centres (STRCs) are mandated to roll out capacity and skill-enhancement programmes for Targeted Intervention Projects across the country. The Communication Hub, was engaged by the Public Health Foundation of India to design and develop a comprehensive Induction Training module for the STRCs. TCH also facilitated the training of senior staff from STRCs and key State AIDS Control Society personnel on the role of STRCs in the national programme. Participants were oriented on the modules available as well as the methodologies and aids to be used while rolling out training programmes.

SHARE India supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided technical assistance to the Department of AIDS Control (DAC) for capacity building and mentoring of District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCU). The Communication Hub, was engaged to design and develop a package for induction training of DAPCUs. The module included the participants� handbook, notes for facilitators training design as well as training aids.

The Improving Healthy Behaviors Programs (IHBP), a USAID funded project, provided technical assistance to the Department of AIDS Control (DAC) to develop national, state and district institutional capacity to design, deliver and evaluate Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) programmes.The Communication Hub was engaged to facilitate a training of master trainers on the process of making a communication strategy and developing communication campaign.

The Communication Hub, designed a training package for peer educators on basics of peer education and HIV. The project was commissioned by Public Health Foundation of India for use in Bihar under the South 2 North initiative. The process of developing the package involved, field based discussions with sex workers, review of existing packages developed in the national programme and consultations with stakeholders. The final package consisted of facilitator�s manuals, visual aids for training such as posters, and situation cards as well as an outreach tool for peer educators for field based discussions.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by FHI360 to develop a comprehensive training package on positive prevention for people who inject drugs. The package was developed to be used in Manipur and Nagaland and consisted of a modular curriculum supported by a wide range of training aids and outreach tools, including print and audio visual materials, and interactive games. TCH developed the package through a participatory process, working with injecting drug users to design the creative products. TCH also conducted the Training of Trainers on how to use the package.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by FHI360 to conduct a training of ANMs and Counsellors of the Targeted Intervention programme under Bihar State AIDS Control Society (BSACS). The 4-day capacity building workshop based on a NACO module followed a participatory methodology and oriented the ANMs and Counsellors on methods of counselling and how to communicate effectively with various High Risk Groups so as to reduce their vulnerability and risk behaviour.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by FHI360, with support from Avahan India AIDS Initiative, to develop training tool-kits for a community based positive prevention programme in Andhra Pradesh. The training package, addressing Key Populations as well as District Networks and Community-based Organizations, was developed in English and Telugu. It included interactive training aids and simple take-aways for use in the field. The development of the package followed a participatory process and included a needs assessment and site visits. TCH also undertook the Training of Trainers on effective usage of the tool-kits and the visual aids.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by SHARE India-PHMI to design and implement a training module on Instructional Design as part of their efforts towards capacity building of trainers in the area of public health. TCH developed the training design and a three-day training module, including the resource materials required for training. TCH also conducted the first training programme using this module, for doctors and other professionals working in laboratories and blood banks in Andhra Pradesh.

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 required. 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 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Population Council. click here.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had engaged The Communication Hub to design and develop two training packages for Outreach Workers and Peer Educators of Targeted Intervention projects on Injecting Drug Usage. The packages were developed on the basis of an 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 in addition to touching on behavioural and attitudinal issues and field challenges. TCH also undertook the Training of Trainers on use of the package.

Public Health Foundation of India received a grant from the Bill & 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 programme. 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.

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.

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 programmes and taking steps towards mainstreaming HIV/AIDS through their affiliate and partner bodies.

Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, working with high risk behaviour groups integrated care and support services for HIV positive persons which included 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 programme. 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.

Experience in Development of BCC Materials (click topics to expand/collapse) 

The Communication Hub was contracted by PIPPSE (HIV/AIDS Partnership: Impact through Prevention, Private Sector and Evidence-based Programming) project to design and develop a Technical Concept Note and Operational Guidelines for the Migrant Service Delivery System (MSDS). MSDS is a web-enabled tool designed by PIPPSE to strengthen data sharing mechanisms to facilitate better service delivery for migrants at source and destination sites. The process of developing these documents involved an intensive study of the evolution of the MSDS along with consultations at National and State levels with key stakeholders. The Technical Concept note is a concise document for stakeholders, which highlights, rationale, expected outcomes, significant features and innovations. The Operational Guideline is a comprehensive document designed to support implementers in the roll out of MSDS.

Family Health India had engaged The Communication Hub (TCH) to support strategic communications for its project in Madhya Pradesh on Vector Borne Diseases. Behaviour Change Communication is a critical component of this project and TCH undertook a range of communications initiatives including development of project name and logo, communications needs assessment, development of communication material and training of project staff on the material developed.

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 in partnership with WaterAid, and was based in Madhya Pradesh. The first phase of the project included the development of the communication strategy and participatory training on street theatre. In the second phase of the project, The Communication Hub developed a range of communication tools including, 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. The strategy was initially developed for one district and the Madhya Pradesh government adopted it for roll out in the entire state.

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 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.

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 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. The project used radio to reach out to communities, including health workers, employers, and families. In partnership with NMP+, TCH 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.

Experience in Film-Making (click topics to expand/collapse) 

Given the serious problem of human trafficking in India, and the special vulnerability of girls and women, there is an urgent need to strengthen initiatives to prevent trafficking at source. In particular, it is essential to recognize the critical importance of community based efforts. Where the mind is without fear takes the viewer on a journey to different parts of the country, to meet communities and organizations that are attempting to prevent trafficking and to understand the strategies they adopt. This film was commissioned by UN Women.

The film, developed as part of the training package for TB supported by FHI360, shows a typical day in the life of Shobha, the lead character in the film; as she goes about her work in the community on spreading awareness about Tuberculosis, motivating people to come for testing, encouraging patients to continue with their medication, and dealing with the many challenges that she faces while working on Tuberculosis.

This is a training film in animation which uses humour to explain to the viewers the qualities an ideal outreach worker should have and the mistakes an outreach worker should avoid, while working in the field and for the project. This was made in association with Squirkle Productions Pvt. Ltd. and was part of the training package for TI ORWs. The assignment was commissioned by PHFI.

This animation film depicts the multiple challenges faced by Anil Roy, an outreach worker, and through his learnings, insights, and positive attitude, provides practical and useful suggestions to viewers on how to work with the high risk group of injecting drug users. The film was part of the training package for TI staff working with IDUs. The assignment was commissioned by PHFI.

Using a docu-drama approach, this film highlights the roles and responsibilities of a Peer Educator working with sex workers and the challenges she faces in her work. This was made in association with Squirkle Productions Pvt. Ltd. and the film was part of the training package for TI peer educators. The assignment was commissioned by PHFI.

This is a stop-and-start film that focuses on the challenges a programme manager of a Targeted Intervention project is likely to face. At the end of each case questions are posed for the audience to discuss. Key learnings from each case are also summarized to help the facilitator to wrap-up the discussion. This was made in association with Squirkle Productions Pvt. Ltd. and the film was part of the training package for TI programme managers. The assignment was commissioned by PHFI.

The 14 minute stop-and-start animation film uses an enter-educate approach and tells the story of Tara, an ASHA. The story is interspersed with �learning� slides that sum up key points dealing with technical issues as also focusing on the role of the ASHA in the community. The film is an integral part of the training package developed to train ASHAs across the country and supported by BMGF/Population Council.

The film depicts four case studies that feature vulnerable communities with higher risk behaviour in the context of STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS. This film is intended to build counsellors� skills as also to sensitize them to the issues surrounding vulnerable communities such as female sex workers, men having sex with men and injecting drug users. The film can be viewed at one stretch or can be used by the facilitator in a stop-and-start mode and the film was part of the training package for Counsellors. The assignment was commissioned by PHFI.

Experience in Research and Documentation (click topics to expand/collapse) 

The Communication Hub, was engaged by UNAIDS to develop an advocacy document to strengthen partnerships and fundraising for the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society. The document was developed through a series of interactions with organizations so as to understand motivations and barriers across a spectrum of stakeholders in the context of committing support to HIV/AIDS programmes.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had engaged The Communication Hub (TCH) to undertake a partner landscaping study aimed at providing an overview of stakeholders associated with RMNCHA+N. The study involved mapping of donors, technical assistance groups, NGOs, and others working in advocacy and strategic communication on RMNCHA+N at the national level as well as in UP and Bihar.

The Communication Hub, was contracted by PIPPSE (HIV/AIDS Partnership: Impact through Prevention, Private Sector and Evidence-based Programming) project to design and develop a Technical Concept Note and Operational Guidelines for the Migrant Service Delivery System (MSDS). MSDS is a web-enabled tool designed by PIPPSE to strengthen data sharing mechanisms to facilitate better service delivery for migrants at source and destination sites. The process of developing these documents involved an intensive study of the evolution of the MSDS along with consultations at National and State levels with key stakeholders. The Technical Concept note is a concise document for stakeholders, which highlights, rationale, expected outcomes, significant features and innovations. The Operational Guideline is a comprehensive document designed to support implementers in the roll out of MSDS.

In association with MaRS (Monitoring and Research Systems Pvt. Ltd.), The Communication Hub was engaged by Population Foundation of India to pretest its entertainment-education (E-E) Television and Radio Serial in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The serials developed under PFI�s flagship initiative impart messages on family planning and reproductive health. The programmes are aired on Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR).

In association with TARU Leading Edge Pvt Ltd., The Communication Hub undertook a ten-state capacity assessment of government departments responsible for Behaviour Change Communication in 4 key programmes: the National Rural Health Mission, the Integrated Child Development Services, the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan and National Rural Drinking Water Programme. The capacity assessment, supported by UNICEF, aimed gain a deeper understanding of factors affecting communication capacity at different programmatic levels. Importantly, the exercise identified communication capacity indicators and benchmarked them.

The Communication Hub,documented experiences of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supported South to North initiative in Bihar which is implemented by India HIV/AIDS Alliance. The process of developing this document involved desk review of project documentation, field visits and discussions with key stakeholders. The final document presented an overview of the support provided in the state towards building capacities of Targeted Interventions and also captured the significant learnings from the experience. The project was commissioned by PHFI.

The Communication Hub, was engaged by India HIV/AIDS Alliance to design and develop a compendium of stories of sex workers and MSM communities. The true stories from the field, collected painstakingly by project personnel from Alliance India, provided a glimpse of the incredible human journey that these vulnerable communities have travelled in the last several years of the programme�s intervention in Andhra Pradesh.

The Communication Hub (TCH), was engaged by Public Health Foundation of India, to develop a concept note on the District Network Model (DNM), Thane. DNM is a networking model led by PIPPSE (HIV/AIDS Partnership: Impact through Prevention, Private Sector and Evidence-based Programming), supported by USAID. The process of developing the concept note involved desk review and consultations with the PIPPSE team and the final publication provided an overview of the model, including the strategic framework, activities, governance, sustainability as well as roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. DNM Thane was formally launched in February 2014.

The Communication Hub (TCH) was engaged by Public Health Foundation of India, to identify and document the best practices in HIV prevention programmes in Maharashtra under the National AIDS Control Programme III. The process involved extensive desk review, site visits, community level interactions, and stakeholder dialogue, in order to arrive at a core set of practices that were to be documented. The print document thus developed highlighted SOPs for the practices featured, and serves today as a ready reference to programme leaders in other states that seek to design interventions that are effective and sustainable. The document was launched by Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society during World AIDS Day 2013.

FHI360�s Improving Healthy Behaviours Program (IHBP) developed communication concepts and materials as a part of its assistance to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in rolling out BCC strategies for family planning and maternal health. MaRS Monitoring and Research Systems Pvt. Ltd., the lead agency for the pretest, enlisted the support of The Communication Hub for the study undertaken in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

A senior professional from The Communication Hub is a member of an international review team that undertakes annual appraisal of the polio communication efforts under UNICEF�s programme in India. The review has undergone five rounds so far.

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.