Internal structure

The Working Committee and the Executive Council

Appraisals of the role of the various Committees dealing with general affairs, such as the Working Committee and the Executive Council, show that, at present, a fairly large section of the community lacks confidence in these bodies.. Fears of concentration of too much power into one group have led to the creation of a number of groups to deal with general matters. Attempts have been made to restrict the functioning of the Working Committee to a liaison function with the Foundation officials only, by creating additional groups to coordinate Auroville's internal affairs. Of the various groups experimented with, only the Working Committee and the Executive Council are currently functioning. The role of the Executive Council, described as dealing with all matters affecting the internal functioning of the community, often overlaps with that of the Working Committee. Generally the two groups work closely together on issues of common concern.

During the last years, lack of community support and of appreciation for the work done has led a number of qualified Aurovilians to abstain from working in these general coordinating bodies.

Specialised working groups

In addition to the bodies groups that deal with general matters, a number of working groups have come into existence that have specific mandates. Therefore, their functioning is smoother and generally more accepted than that of the Working Committee and the Executive Council. They have usually grown from a basic need and are non-hierarchic in nature. An overview of these working groups and their task follows in alphabetical order:

1. Auroville Board of Commerce (ABC) is a group composed of all executives of commercial units, and concerns itself with matters affecting units and ways and means of financially supporting the township. 

2. Auroville Village Action group (AVAG) works in 35 villages surrounding Auroville through its team of 20 development workers. The main aim of AVAG is to raise the consciousness of the local people by creating awareness of their social, cultural and environmental conditions while bringing general benefit to them. 

3. Development Council is a coordination and planning group established to ensure that the development of the Auroville township is in accordance with directives or guidance given by the Mother. 

4. Economy Group monitors Auroville's internal economy, and is responsible for the income and expenditure of the Central Fund. Its income is received from contributions from commercial units, donations and guests; the expenditure covers the requirements of over 35 Auroville services.

5. Entry Group processes all applications to join Auroville and oversees the entry procedures.

6. Farm Group coordinates Auroville's farming activities and shares information with a view to increasing Auroville's self-sufficiency in food production.

7. Forest Group is involved in the planting and maintenance of Auroville's forested areas, particularly the GreenBelt around the township.

8. Funds and Assets Management Committee (FAMC) was created at the request of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation. It advises the Governing Board on the utilisation of funds, the management of Auroville assets, taxes and audits, and the sale, acquisition and utilisation of immovable assets. The FAMC consists of representatives of all the major Auroville working groups. The Secretary and the Finance Officer of the Auroville Foundation are also members of the FAMC.

9. Green Group consists of representatives of the Farm Group and the Forest Group. It reviews issues pertaining to the development of the Green Belt, and makes recommendations to the community regarding the protection of the environment.

10. Land and Estate Management is responsible for land purchase and the management of those lands that do not have a particular steward. It is responsible to the FAMC. 

11. Matrimandir Coordination Group is  responsible for the manifestation of the Matrimandir and its gardens, and takes care of the Matrimandir nursery.

12. Project Coordination Group prepares all grant proposals for Auroville projects to ensure maximum effectiveness and non-duplication of approach to potential donors.