COVA is a national network of over 800 organisations working for communal harmony, peace and social justice. COVA works with women, children, youth and men from different sections and communities on the issues of communal harmony, women's empowerment, child rights, youth advancement, education, health, environment and civic amenities.

Apart from working with the poorer sections, COVA also actively works with the educated and professional classes to enlist their support and involvement for social transformation through college discussion groups and professional clubs.

COVA believes that involving people from different communities in development programs is an effective way of achieving communal harmony and national integration. Hence, COVA ensures that all its member organisations involve people from different communities in their programs.

In order to achieve its mandate, COVA undertakes programs at the grassroots, networking of organisations and institutions, research, training, advocacy and policy interventions. COVA also works in alliance with a number of international organisations to promote peace in the sub-continent and across the globe.