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Co-Operation for Rural Excellence (CORE) as an organisation wants to popularize natural technologies for the benefit of the poor and their needs, particularly in the area of housing. CORE looks to set up Appropriate Technology Centres in remote tribal belts of rural areas in Orissa. They also promote Self-Help Co-operatives to bolster rural financial and development growth.

Their objectives include the following:

•                 Transfer appropriate technology and disseminate information to the rural poor.
•                 Upgrade the skill, attitude and behaviour of rural artisans, masons, women, landless and the most marginalized on appropriate technology.
•                 Produce environment friendly and cost effective material components.
•                 Ensure alternative livelihood generation for rural artisans, masons, women, landless and the marginalized.
•                 Provide safe, cost effective and environment friendly houses for rural artisans, masons, women, landless and the marginalized.

Their activities in 2012-13 were as follows:

• Financial Literacy: Their co-operative is working in the area of financial literacy to make people aware of the value of cash-flow, the idea of savings, insurance, pension and credit. They motivate people to save as much as they can. CORE has implemented this programme in 45 villages in three districts.
• Linkage to government schemes: CORE helps people access and avail the facilities made available by formal and non-formal institutions like Mamata and Jananj Surakhya Yojana for mothers and children. They also help people to get access to pensions, open bank accounts and provide them with livelihood training.
• Tools and Machinery: They provide small credit provisions for cycles, tools and machinery to help poor people. 525 cycles and 88 sewing machines were provided by them.
• Sanitation: CORE provides families with women and children with loans for the construction of toilets. This is to give a measure of dignity to those who don’t have access to sanitation facilities. They gave out 215 loans for toilets in 2012-13, and are looking to increase that number to 1,000 in the following year.
• Income-generating activities: Co-operatives play a vital role in nurturing and capacity building of women in various income augmenting activities. Their co-operatives are involved in livelihood activities like agricultural activities, kitchen gardens, rope rolling. 469 families saw their monthly income rise from Rs2,500 to Rs4,000.
• Housing Development: Under this segment, the organisation has promoted skilled artisans and provided cost-effective housing materials for renovation and construction of 1,113 houses. 15 artisan groups were trained, while others have been linked to mainstream agencies to construct 45 houses under the Indira Awas government scheme.