Origin and Evolution
Network of Voluntary Organizations of Kurnool (NOVOK) is a collective of 13 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh (AP). NOVOK was founded in 1995 with support of district administration to strengthen the development initiatives of government that were part of poverty eradication process.

NOVOK partnership with Action Aid-AP regional office started in 1999 under National Fund (NF) project to facilitate and strengthen 50,000 women self-help groups further with support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP and District Collector approached ActionAid for support to organise and strengthen existing self-help groups (SHGs) as a collective at village/mandal level in 17 mandals. Initial support was a period of one-year and thereafter NOVOK and ActionAid together decided to work on rights approach to address various concerns and issues of the dalits human rights.

Subsequently, the NOVOK and ActionAid had series of discussions and consultations to arrive at a decision to work on Dalit equity issues on rights approach. NOVOK got convinced to work on rights based work. The long-term partnership with Actionaid started in 2002. Mr. Swamidas was Convenor of NOVOK. NOVOK works very closely with the state government and it has collaborative efforts in all the governmental activities. NOVOK has established strong working relationship with the district administration and plays a vital role in development process.

NOVOK has facilitated the process of formation and strengthening of people’ s institutions locally called ‘Dalit Samkayas’ (Dalit collective) in 347 villages covering 17 mandals (mandal is administrative unit). Dalit Samkhya’s committees comprise of women and men in equal number.

Structure
At the village level, there are 6 members executive committee, at the mandal level, 9 members executive committee and at the district level 34 members executive committee is effectively functioning. These committees meet once in a month to review and discuss the programme action plan.

Dalit Samakhyas are enabled to build their capability perspective to deal with the issues and concerns they face and experience in their daily life. These Dalit Samakhayas provide the poor and vulnerable groups a common platform to discuss their concerns and helps to search for a collective solution.

This platform is to unite and articulate their strength to fight against any discrimination they face because of their caste and secure the rights denied to them for a long time. They are gaining strength in number and size.

The district level committee of Dalit Samakhya enabled to develop their capabilities to deal with the larger concerns and problems related to denial of basic rights, i.e. education, food security, healthcare, land entitlements, low wages, caste based discrimination, practice of untouchability against Dalit members and refusal of minimum basic needs of the poor.

Strong and vibrant Dalit Samakhayas are present at the village, mandal and district level. There is a notable change in terms of unity and solidarity among the Dalit communities, they are able to articulate and assert themselves to secure their rights. The communities began to demand their entitlements and basic rights by approaching district administration.