The Hunger Project is a nontraditional, strategic, catalytic organization committed to the END OF PERSISTENT, CHRONIC WORLD HUNGER. It aims at creating a future that rejects the inevitability of hunger – not by providing direct relief that deal with just the periphery of the problem; rather by addressing the underlying social conditions that systematically deny hungry people the opportunity they need to end their own hunger. The Hunger Project invests in people’s productivity, mobilizes people in self-reliance; empowers women to have a voice in the decisions affecting their lives; and elicits committed local leadership for grassroots action to succeed.

 

Hunger Project: In-Action

The Hunger Project is active in the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Canada, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands. New Zealand, Peru, Senegal, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States.

 

Hunger Project: The Funding

The Hunger Project is funded almost entirely by committed individuals who stand as co-equal partners with hungry people in the work of ending hunger. The return on investment is immediate and lasting – the joy and satisfaction of using ones resource for benefiting humanity.

 

The Hunger Project: India Program

We at THP believe a world Tree from hunger’ will come to fruition only when every woman, man and child has equal opportunity to health, education, nutrition, livelihood and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. The Hunger Project is committed to addressing subjugation of women, exploitation of tribals, lack of access and control over productive assets, and domination of decision making by a few.

 

The Hunger Project India has chosen as its pathway) the strengthening of women’s leadership in Panchayats.

The 73rd amendment of the Constitution by reserving l/3rd seats for women in the village panchayats has politically empowered I Million women all over the country. Our work in past four years with these elected women has unearthed the fact that when women gain voices in the processes that affect their lives and the lives of those who are at the lowest, it is the elected women who shoulder the responsibility of taking their communities forward on the path of economic and social justice. Elected trained women also address social conditions, which have systematically hindered and undermined the roles of these women and have deninied them opportunities of participation in public life. The Hunger Project recognizes and seeks to address these conditions by advocating and undertaking initiatives that can lead to the effective functioning of Panchayats such that they serve as appropriate sustainable institutions for addressing issues of hunger that confront millions each day.

 

THP India currently has program interventions in 14 States, viz., Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Kamataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh. Apart from Assam & Arunachal Pradesh, where THP is working directly with communities and women leaders, most of our work is being implemented in partnership with a network of 49 local level NGOs across the Country.

 

THP’s work continues to be supported by nearly 5000 individual investors worldwide, who share our vision. Over the last year, in addition to support from bilateral donor organizations such as DANIDA, and SDC, THP also received a grant from the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

 

Our Strategy in India

South Asia is a region with abundant food, yet it has the highest rates of child-hood malnutrition in the world – twice as high as Africa. The reason : women and girls in South Asia suffer a lifetime of subjugation.

 

A historic amendment to India’s constitution in the 1990s provides an opportunity to transform this condition. The 73rd amendment requires that one-third of all seats in village councils (panchayats) must be held by women. Women – most of whom have been denied health, education and nutrition all their lives — suddenly have a seat at the table. Each five-year term, five million women run for elections, and more than one million are elected – more than all the elected women in all the other countries in the world.

 

As women come to power, they shift the agenda toward health, education and nutrition. They become role models – winning the respect of men and building confidence in other women.

 

The Hunger Project is seizing this opportunity with a four- pronged strategy:

>  Capacity – building of elected women representatives, through a Women’s Leadership Workshop, follow-up workshops and skills trainings.

>  Making panchayats effective, by mobilizing greater public partipation in public meetings.

>  Influencing public opinion in support of women’s leadership, including action to mobilize the power of the media.

>  Building alliance at the local, state and national levels, to change policies in order to strengthen local democracy and women’s leadership.

 

Some Views Expressed in the Country Director Ms Ritu Sarin’s Statement in the Annual Report of THP for the year 2003-04

We all are convinced that decentralization is critical for creating spaces for people’s voice. We also realize that the challenges facing the rural India can never l)e solved by top-down bureaucratic interventions. The needs of communities in health, sanitation, clean water, education, family planning and income can only be met locally through local responsibility and local accountability.

 

This is where the 73rd amendment is potentially revolutionary; and mandates that resources, responsibility and power (funds, functions and functionaries) be moved from the state government to the district, block and village level – where decisions that are truly appropriate to people’s own desires and opportunities, can be made. Hence, Panchayats (village councils) make possible a social and economic revitalization of rural India, and play role in providing better health, more education and better income through implementation of development programs. Panchayats today have journeyed from an informal institution rooted in tradition to a formal institution with constitutional status, and hold the promise to uplift the entire nation.

 

THP has trained more than 20,000 women leaders with the help of its partners. And the trained women leaders struggle with this dissonance.

 

They have a vision for how they would like their Panchayat to be. In many cases there are micro plans that are ready for being implemented. But there are no funds. There are few functionaries.

 

Despite the above hurdles and insensitive policies The Hunger Project has in the past four years witnessed a revolution in women’s leadership and the potential it holds for the end of hunger. With each program activity that takes place in India, we witness yet another unfolding of the human spirit.

 

As a part of olir campaign. The Hunger Project is calling forth village elders. Government officials, journalists, NGOs and international agencies to create a broad-based movement for a new future for India, a new future that is promised by the 73rd and 74th amendment; but it is a promise that still remains to be fulfilled.

 

Strengthening Women’s Leadership

One of our key strategies is to strengthen women’s leadership in Panchayats by building up the self-confidence and morale of elected women representatives and equipping them with information, skills and tools that will help them be more effective. This is being done through the medium of Women’s Leadership workshops and follow-up sessions. Designed by THP, these workshops are conducted by a large cadre of trainers built up over the years by THP, thorough periodic Training of Trainers programmes.

 

Making Panchayats Effective

THP has designed interventions to work with and support the Gram Sabhas in becoming more active and in being able to support the panchayat leaders and also to hold the functionaries accountable. The primary emphasis again is on the increased participation of women in the Gram Sabha.

 

To facilitate the broader participation of women, representatives of self-help groups or women with a leadership potential are identified and provided with support through workshops. In some cases, women are identified at the ward level and supported to serve catalysts in their own communities.

 

THP has supported PRESS (Panchayati Raj Sahyogi Sangh), a network of 26 organizations, from Udaipur and Rajsamund, who came together to work on strengthening the Panchayats through peoples’ participation. The network covers 49 panchayats. A set of key individuals in each ward of the Panchayat are identified and trained to create a “Jagruk Manch” (forum of awareness).

 

Influencing Public Opinion

THP has been able to undertake significant work with the media and is beginning to take a lead on other policy issues as well.

 

The Hunger Project works actively with the media to focus ongoing attention on the importance of Panchayati Raj, the building of local democracy and the leadership of women therein. Media persons, writers and journalists, are encouraged through a series of interactions with social activists and the women leader themselves, about the need to give space to issues of women’s leadership in PRIs. A total of 344 media persons participated in 15 such workshops over eight different states.

 

The Hunger Project Global Office

12 East 26th Street, New York, NY10010

Phone:001-212-251-9100

Fax:001-212-532- 9785

Web: www.thp.org

 

The Hunger Project Country Office

 

The Hunger India Office

Saheed Bhavan – 2nd floor, 18/1 Aruna Sasaf Ali Marg

Qutub Inst. Area, New Delhi 110 067

Telephone : 011 – 51688847 – 52

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.thp.org

 

The Hunger Project State Offices

MADHYA PRADESH

A-450 Mansarover Colony, Shahpura, Bhopal – 462016

 

ORISSA

Tarini Mandir Road, Bhavanipatna – 766001, District: Kalahandi, Orissa

 

BIHAR

Mehman Sarai, First Floor, (Behind Imarat Rizvi), Bank Road, Patna – 800001

 

TAMIL NADU

Gandhigram Rural Institute Deemed University, District: Dindigul Gandhigram-624302

 

RAJASTHAN

C-388, first floor, Setu Path, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur-302017

 

GUJARAT

203 Sarap Building, Opposite Navjivan Press, Off Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380014

 

KARNATAK

C/o Azim Premji Foundation

Third floor, Wipro Centre, 5 Papanna Street, St. Marks

Road Cross, Bangalore – 560001

 

MAHARASHTRA

C/o Swayam Shikshan Prayog, C.V.O.D.

Jain high School, 84 Samuel Street Dongri, Mumbai – 400 009

 

ASSAM

Satgaon Na-para, Near Masjid,

Guwahati – 781037, Assam

 

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Bank Tiniali, Eastern Press House Building, Itanagar – 791 111, Arunachal Pradesh

 

The Ford Foundation is a private, non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to international peace and the advancement of human welfare. It seeks to identify and contribute to the solution of problems of national and international importance. The Foundation works primarily by providing support for applied research, training, experimentation, advocacy and developmental efforts that are innovative and promise significant advances in its field of interest. The goals of the Foundation are to:

> Strengthen democratic value.

> reduce poverty and injustice.

> promote international cooperation; and

> advance human achievement.

 

Founded in 1936, the Foundation operated as a local philanthropy in the state of Michigan, U.S.A., until 1950 when it expanded to become a national and international foundation. Since then it has provided over $12 billion in grants. These funds derive from an investment portfolio started with gifts and bequests from Henry and Edsel Ford. Over the years, the Foundation has diversified its investment portfolio to provide a perpetual source of support for its programs and operations. The total endowment of the Foundation is currently $10 billion. It has no commercial or religious affiliation and receives no funding from governments or from any other outside source.

 

Since the Foundation’s resources are models when compared to the problems it seeks to address, it focuses on a limited number of program strategies within its over-arching goals. In doing so, it brings together women and men who have diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Moreover, it also encourages broad participation and partnership in problem solving, and involves individuals and institutions from the non-government, government and business sectors, with special attention to those living and working closest to where the problems are located. This diversity and collaboration help to build common understanding and attempt to empower people to make significant and long-lasting improvements in their lives and communities.

 

An international Board of Trustees sets policy for the Foundation and delegates authority for grant-making to the President and senior staff. Program Offices in New York and the 12 overseas field offices explore opportunities to pursue its goals, formulate strategies, and recommend proposals for funding. A report on its activities, which also contains a list of grants made during the year is published annually and is available on request.

 

New Delhi Office

At the invitation of Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru, the Foundation established on office in India in 1952. It was the Foundation’s first program outside the United States, and remains the largest of its overseas field operations. Through its office in New Delhi, the Foundation also serves Nepal and Sri Lanka.

 

During the first two decades, the Foundation operated both as a grant-making organization and on implementing agency, and focused primarily on agriculture and rural development. It maintained a large staff that provided technical assistance and implemented many projects directly. Since 1972, the Foundation has functioned mainly as a grant-making institution, providing funds to academic institutions and research organizations, government agencies and non-government entities.

 

The Foundation’s program of support has evolved in response to changing needs and priories. Over the past five decades, the Foundation has made major commitments in the areas of agriculture and rural development, forest and natural resource management, reproductive health, livelihood, human rights, governance, education and culture, regional cooperation and security, and the promotion of in-country philanthropy. Grants in these fields have been designed to strengthen individual and institutional capabilities, support innovative concepts and approaches, and promote generation and sharing of knowledge.

 

The New Delhi office is headed by a Representative who is assisted by a group of internationally recruited program staff. This team of professionals seeks out promising opportunities in areas of program priority. Grant applications are carefully evaluated by the program staff who work with prospective partners to develop projects and recommend grants for funding Grants are not normally given for individual scholarships, travel or study abroad, or for the construction and maintenance of buildings.

 

Since its establishment in 1952, the New Delhi office has made 3,640 grants totaling around $502 million to more than 1,200 institutions. These grants include support for organizations in Nepal and Sri Lanka whose work contributes to the solution of problems within the region. The preset annual program budget of the New Delhi office is around $15 million.

 

Programs at the New Delhi Office

The Foundation has been privileged to have participated in the remarkable progress and achievements made by India and the South Asian region during the past fifty years. It also shares in the subcontinent’s continuing concerns. Despite significant economic growth and technological advancement, large numbers of people continue to live in absolute poverty. Furthermore, persistent inequities in access to resources and services, heightened conflicts and incidence of violence, growing social and cultural alienation, and continued deterioration of the natural resource base are among the elements of this development paradox.

 

In responding to these challenges, the Foundation is guided by the fundamental belief in the importance of encouraging ‘solutions through the initiative of those living and working closest to where the problems are. The Foundation also strongly believes in the value of ensuring the participation of women and men from diverse communities, from different sectors and at all levels of society. Grant-leaking in all programs attempts to primarily serve the historically disadvantaged, particularly those among the poorest of the population.

Strategies, approaches and projects are designed to especially benefit the most marginalized, those who are most vulnerable, excluded and farthest from centers of power, knowledge and opportunities. Women, dalits, advises and issues that affect them are at the core of Foundation programs. The Foundation’s priorities are to support grassroots organizations, citizens groups and social movements that work to uplift and empower the poor. The Foundation also supports government agencies, civil society, academic and research institutions, and advocacy organizations.

 

The Foundation organizes its grant-making around three major programs:

> Asset Building and Community Development.

> Peace and Social Justice, and

> Knowledge, Creativity and Freedom.

Each major program is, in turn, organized along fields and initiatives. In some cases, individual fields also respond to unique grant-making opportunities that may not directly relate to initiatives but promise significant scope for innovation and learning.

 

These fields and initiatives are described in more detail in the inserts at the back of its brochure.

 

Asset Building and Community Development

There are an estimated 300 million people living below the poverty line in South Asia. One of the leading causes of poverty is the lack of assets – financial, physical, natural, human and social. A lack of assets is the main reason for the vulnerability of the poor and their inability to cope with unforeseen circumstances. Access to assets can enable people to raise incomes and improve living standards.

 

The Ford Foundation’s Asset Building and Community Development program supports efforts by individuals and organizations to build a bundle of assets in ways that reduce poverty, discrimination and injustice. As durable resources, these assets are transferable across generations and provide a basis for enduring solutions for problems of persistent poverty.

 

The Foundation supports efforts towards asset creation by :

> Promoting more equitable, productive and sustainable management of natural resources and

> Creating economic opportunities, improving livelihoods and developing financial institutions responsive to  the needs of poor and disadvantaged people.

 

Better management of natural resources is promoted by greater access to common property resources, more equitable use, greater benefits through local value addition and more sustainable management.

 

Asset Building and Community Development

 

Environment and Development

The Environment and Development program seeks to advance new thinking, innovation and development practice that is compatible with the sustainable and equitable use of natural resources and environmental services. Natural resources include forests, agro biodiversity rich areas, fisheries and coastal waters that underpin many rural economies. Environmental services range from promoting clean air, maintaining biological diversity and contributing to the capacity of watersheds to replenish and purify water.

 

The Foundation supports efforts to integrate environmental conservation with strategies to improve livelihoods, create new economic opportunities and increase social equity. It supports resource dependent and especially marginalized communities to build social networks, increase their capacity to better manage resources, secure tenure and resource rights and use various strategies to assure equitable long-term access to natural resources. Respect for diverse cultural values and vitality are also important components of these strategies.

 

Through this program, the Foundation funds two major initiatives – community-based natural resource management and conservation-linked enterprise development. Grants in both initiatives support interventions at local, state and national levels. Federations of people’s organizations, social movements and membership organizations are given priority. Funds are provided for capacity development, action-research, pilot experiments, networking and policy advocacy.

 

Community-based natural resource management

This initiative supports efforts to promote equitable access, sustainable use and participatory management of natural resources within communities landscape. Priority is given to projects that:

> Promote environmentally friendly land use patterns and management approaches, which equitably distribute benefits and fairly allocate costs among resource users;

> Facilitate the evolution of equitable, accountable and efficient institutions capable of achieving scales necessary effective integrated resource management; and

> Ensure the partipation of poor and marginalized communities in management decision-making from the scale of individual resources to higher landscape levels.

 

Conservation-linked enterprise development

This initiative supports efforts to promote individual and collective asset creation through enterprises organized around the sustainable, equitable and efficient use and management of natural resources. Grants support projects that :

> Strengthen local capacities, facilitate economies of scale and increase efficiency through economically viable enterprises involving consortia, federations and networks of local resource users;

> Promote application of local knowledge and appropriate technology for better management of resources, local value addition and greater benefits to local communities; and

> Facilitate reinvestment of returns from enterprises in natural resources quality improvement, community development and livelihood security.

 

In addition to the above, the Foundation will make “opportunity” grants to address the challenges faced by vulnerable communities in the mountains and coastal areas.

 

The Foundation and its partners will measure progress as :

> Better and more secure access of poor and marginalized communities to environmental assets and to the incomes, livelihoods and values derived from them;

> Improved condition of natural assets in areas where the Foundation is working;

> Enhanced community capacity to participate in decision-making on environment and development issues;

> Increased public  awareness of the value of sustanaible  development and environmental services; and

> Policies and processes in both the public and private sectors that promote equitable and sustainable resource management.

 

Asset Building and Committee Development

Development Finance and Economic Security

The Foundation’s economic development program aims to reduce poverty and social injustice and to improve the well-being of poor and marginalized people by enabling them to better access resources and in formation and to build assets, skills and capabilities.

 

Making micro-finance more accessible

Micro-finance, including both credit and savings, has proven to be an important instrument in poverty reduction. Even small amounts of credit can help change people’s economic circumstances by enabling them to have more working capital or to buy income-producing assets such as milch animals or to reduce indebtedness.

 

Micro-finance is now available through a variety of organizations that have successfully demonstrated that it is possible to make loans to poor people in a financially sustainable way. However, millions of people still do not have access to sound and reliable ways to save and borrow money. The Foundation seeks to change this and to enhance the development impact of micro-finance by:

> Strengthening the capacity of micro-finance organizations to expand outreach, especially to poor women, dalits, low-caste and indigenous people;

> Enhancing skills and leadership capacity among poor people to build their own micro-finance and development organizations;

> Strengthening micro-finance organizations through improvements in internal systems, better public policies, and enhanced sector capacities and standards; and

> Leveraging greater resources for micro-finance from government and commercial sources, especially banks.

 

Strengthening livelihoods

A growing labor force, limited job creation and high rates of unemployment limit the livelihood options of poor people, the vast majority of whom work in the informal sector in a wide range of activities. They include-scale agriculture, petty trade, crafts production and services in which risks are high and return low. Opportunities for advancement are limited because people lack skills; education, training, and financial and other resources. They also lack access to markets conditions. Most enterprise development programs focus more on training, credit and other supply side factors with very title reference to market demand and coordination of services.

Finally, efforts to strengthen poor poeple’s livelihood are limited because, unlike in micro-finance, standardized best practices are not yet available for livelihoods promotion.

 

The Foundation’s economic program seeks to fill these gaps by :

 

> Promoting market responsive and demand-led enterprise development services to micro and small entrepreneurs; and

> Improving policies and programs based on sound research or practical experience to enable micro and small entrepreneurs to better access emerging local and global market opportunities. This aspect of the program also focuses on high impact sectors such as agriculture and the informal economy in which a large proportion of low -income workers are employed.

 

Leveraging rights for economic security

Poor people, including women, dalits, low-caste and indigenous people, face severe discrimination on a daily basis. Not only is such discrimination a violation of people’s human rights, it is also a significant barrier in overcoming poverty. There is growing awareness that livelihoods and development are human rights and that various types of rights – social, civil, political, and economic – are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.

 

The Foundation supports these efforts by :

> Building knowledge and awareness about the links between social discrimination  and poverty and ways to address poverty and economic security from a human rights perspective; and

> Encouraging application of rights-based perspectives and strategies in poverty reduction and livelihoods programs as, for example, by drawing upon international and national commitments and mechanisms for compliance to realize economic rights.

 

Peace and Social Justice

Enormous changes have taken place worldwide during the last decade. Innovations in technology and communications have revolutionized people’s abilities to share and exchange information and ideas across continents. Globalization and integration of the world’s economies have brought significant changes in people’s working lives. Ethnic, social and geo-political shifts have rewritten geographic boundaries and transformed relations between and among countries.

 

Despite increased communication and information exchanges, social and ethnic conflict and political violence continue to remain pervasive across the subcontinent. Vast numbers of people continue to live in extreme poverty lacking access to basic resources like food, water and land.

 

Women of particular ethnic or religious groups continue to experience discrimination and large scale human rights violations are committed by state and non-state actors with impunity. Many also do not have access to basic services, including those necessary for their reproductive and sexual health.

 

The challenges posed by this highly dynamic, complex and uncertain environment guide the Foundation’s efforts in Peace and Social Justice; Programs in this area work towards :

> Fostering effective, open, accountable, and responsive governmental institutions to secure the rule of law and the narrowing of inequality;

> Strengthening civil society through broader participation of individuals and civic organizations in charting the future;

> Supporting regional and international cooperation toward a more peaceful and equitable international order based on tolerance among diverse people;

> Promoting justice and ensuring the protection of human rights with a special emphasis on the assertion and protection of the rights of women.

 

Peace and Social Justice

 

Local-Global Governance

The Foundation’s governance work in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka is based on the conviction that deepening of democracy is possible only when citizens themselves address the existing democratic deficits at different levels of governance. Under this program, the Foundation focuses specifically on the issue of representation and voice by supporting organizations that are committed to effective citizen participation especially of women and marginalized groups of several levels of governance including local and global. The Foundation also works towards;

> Building capacity of elected representatives at the local level;

> Strengthening institutions and the network of citizens at the regional and global levels; and

> Supporting innovative research, documentation, advocacy and training that not only explicate the causes of democratic deficit but also propose solutions that link different levels of governance for better result.

 

As part of this concern, the Foundation supports efforts that generate and disseminate empirical and comparative knowledge regarding the redistributive and welfares functions of the state; promote greater understanding of policy making process in the context of globalization; and strengthen capacity building of organizations that work towards achieving greater accountability and transparency of state institutions. The Foundation’s support in promoting accountable governance focuses not only on the effective use of too Is such as budget analysis, right to information law by citizen groups, but also on innovative strategies that create synergy between marginalized groups and state institutions. Limited funds will also be available to support south-south dialogue and networking on the state and globalization.

 

Peace and Social Justice

Civil Society

The Civil Society program of the Foundation’s New Delhi office seeks to strengthen civil society in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka in three areas of interest :

> Promoting domestic philanthropy and resource mobilization, with an emphasis on philanthropy for social justice;

> Strengthening civil society as a democratic, participatory public sphere; and

> Fostering pluralism and peaceful co-existence.

Both current and new grantees are eligible for support. This program is particularly interested in reaching out to groups outside of major urban areas, as well as to potential applicants in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

 

The Foundation is particularly concerned with the development of social justice philanthropy, as opposed to philanthropy for welfare or charitable purposes.

 

Under this initiative, the Foundation supports :

> The development and growth of intermediary grant-making institutions that operate at the local, state or national level in order to promote social change and social justice (examples include village-level philanthropic institutions, community foundations, or women’s funds);

> Capacity building around governance, strategic grant-making, and resource mobilization for community-based and social justice philanthropies, as well as opportunities for peer learning and exchange;

> Research efforts by academic institutions that broaden knowledge of community-based and social justice philanthropy; and

> Effective media strategies in order to broaden and deepen public understanding of and support for civil society and philanthropy.

 

Strengthening civil society as a democratic, participatory public sphere

The initiative attempts to :

> Strengthen the research, communication, advocacy and leadership capacities of key civil society organizations, coalitions and networks that advance the foundation’s social justice goals and that represent the concerns of marginalized group;

> Support the development of watchdog groups, that use the public sphere to articulate and advance public interest goals;

> Strengthen the ability of South Asian civil society organizations to use the global public sphere to advance domestic social justice concerns; and

> Support coalition building and strengthening in order to create linkages across communities, issues, and geographic levels.

 

Promoting pluralism and peaceful co-existence

Promoting pluralism and peaceful co-existence builds upon prior work supported by the Foundation. Limited funds will be available in this area to support two areas of work:

> Research and dissemination that deepens understanding about pluralism and co-existence, as well as about the role of associational life; and,

> Civil society efforts that promote pluralism through diverse strategies (the program is exploring opportunities to collaborate with the Governance, Education, Arts and Culture, and Economic Development programs in order to foster pluralism from a multi-faceted approach).

 

Peace and Social Justice

 

Sexuality, Reproductive Health and Rights

The Sexuality, Reproductive Health and Rights program of the New Delhi office as part of the Foundation’s Peace and Social Justice program attempts to promote and secure reproductive and sexual health and rights for women and address issues of discrimination. It is firmly anchored on the conviction that women’s health needs can be adequately addressed only when there is a simultaneous improvement in the status of women in society. The long term vision of this program is therefore to effect social transformation around women’s rights. By using women’s sexual and reproductive health as the vehicle but moving beyond that to larger issues of social justice, the program is aimed at questioning underlying inequalities and discrimination and affirming the fundamental value of human agency. It attempts to assist and empower communities and individuals, particularly historically disadvantaged women, to demand and access quality services that effectively meet their sexual and reproductive health needs. It also supports efforts that enable women to control and articulate their reproductive health and rights.

 

Through support to ‘NGOs, researchers and government agencies, the program addresses the underlying social, cultural, legal, political and economic factors that limit people’s ability to address and claim sexual and reproductive rights in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This is sought to be done through a program consisting of three initiatives.

 

Reframing strategies for reproductive health and rights

This initiative attempts to strengthen efforts made to address and reanove political, institutional and technical barriers so as to ensure that women are able to exercise the full range of reproductive rights, free of coercion and discrimination.

 

Promoting and securing sexual rights

Women’s lack of control over sexual decisions and the culture of silence surrounding issues of sexuality have led to the neglect of their sexual health. It has also increased control over sexual rights of women and vulnerable groups. Additionally, the lack pf a proper understanding of sexuality itself has led to insular strategies being adopted in addressing youth and HIV/AIDS issues. The initiative is aimed at deepening a positive, life enhancing understanding of sexuality. Primarily, it promotes sexual well-being as a key organizing principle of policies and programs.

 

Addressing gender violence and ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups

This initiative is premised on an understanding of the intersectional of gender violence, sexuality and women’s health. Women suffer from violence and its consequences because of their gender and unequal status in society. The fallout of violence on women’s health is deep and long lasting but invariably left unaddressed. The initiative attempts to strengthen institutional, legal and civil society’s response to gender violence and remove vulnerability to violence of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

 

Knowledge, Creative and Freedom

The New Delhi office’s Educations, Arts and Culture Program is part of the larger unit called knowledge, Creativity and Freedom which aims to build knowledge, encourage creativity, and secure greater freedom of expression for all people, especially the poor, women and minorities. In the new global context created by increasing trans-national flow of goods, peoples, technologies, information, ideas, and images, this Program seeks to nurture the freedom to think creatively and innovatively, and to strengthen institutional and individual capacities to produce knowledge equitably and democracally. Our grant making in this area is based on our belief that knowledge and creativity are central to the richness of people’s lives and the progress of communities, and reiterates our long-term commitment to strengthening endangered historical, cultural, and artistic resources that form the living fabric of socially marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups. The Program also affirms the importance of the freedom to think and act critically, innovatively and responsibly in facilitating the creation and maintenance of just and plural societies.

 

The Program works towards :

> Enhancing individual and institutional capacities in the social sciences and the humanities to access and shape global knowledge-production;

> Improving and expanding opportunities for higher education, especially for historically excluded groups, and supporting scholarship and research that deepens our understanding of marginalization and discrimination;

> Strengthening the academic presence of arts and culture disciplines in institutions of higher learning, as well as fostering the use of the arts to improve the curriculum, instruction, student motivation, and student achievement in schools;

> Promoting pluralistic artistic expression in public areas, especially in schools and colleges.

 

Knowledge, Creativity and Freedom

 

Higher Education and Scholarship

In an environment where public investment in advanced education has traditionally been given a relatively low priority by national governments and international donors, the Foundation’s Higher Education and Scholarship program focuses on support for post-secondary higher education in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

 

Grant making in this program focuses on providing scholars and institutions with improved access to current information and electronic knowledge and on enhancing their capacity to become key players in the global areas of scholarship as well to develop and maintain plural and diverse communities in the region.

 

The International Fellowships Program (www.ifpsa.org<http://www.ifpsa.org/>) provides opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals belonging to social groups and communities that lack systematic access to higher education.

 

Knowledge, Creativity and Freedom

 

Arts and Culture

Over the past decade, the Arts and Culture program focused on fostering diversity by supporting the documentation, preservation, dissemination, and revitalization of folklore, especially of marginalized communities. In addition to revitalizing folklore traditions, the initiative sought to deepen the understanding of folklore as an interdisciplinary field of study, and to enhance awareness and appreciation of expressive and material folk arts of India among broad audiences. Towards these ends, the Foundation supported various folklore institutions across the country including the National Folklore Support Centre in Chennai, which has evolved into a key partner in the field, and now regularly publishes the Indian Folklore Research Journal.

 

Under the arts education, initiative, the program therefore works towards :

> Increasing the academic presence in institution of higher learning of a wide array of artistic and creative disciplines such as history of art, cultural studies, ethnomusicology and music theory, and film and media studies;

> Fostering the use of the arts in schools to improve the curriculum, instruction, student motivation and student achievement;

> Preserving and disseminating products of artistic and cultural activities, especially through their transformation into achieves for the use of practitioners and scholars globally;

> Promoting pluralistic artistic expression and cultural forms in the public arena, especially in colleges and schools; and

> Nurturing the use of arts and cultural practices in strengthening values of secularism, tolerance and peace.

The goal is to systematically institutionalize the idea of arts education and make it a self-sustaining proposition, so that the principles of creavitity, expression, innovation, and freedom become central to formal pedagogy in the subcontinent.

 

Program Staff (Jan 2005)

Representative’s Office

 

Representative	Ganesan Balachander
Executive Assistant Secretary	Tahina Sunder
Secretary	K. Nagasubramanian

 

 

Asset Building and Community Development

Program Officer, Environment and Development	Vasant Saberwal
Program Secretary	To be recruited
Program Officer, Development Finance and Economic Security	Rekha Mehra
Program Secretary	Renuka Agarwala

 

Peace and Social Justice

Program Officer, Sexuality, Reproductive Health and Rights	Roshmi Goswami
Program Secretary	Sundari Kumar
Program Officer, Local – Global Governance	Bishnu Mahapatra
Program Secretary	Savita Sinha
Program Officer, Civil Society	Sushma Raman
Program Secretary	Sunita Rana

 

 

Knowledge, Creativity and Freedom

Program Officer, Education, Arts and Culture	Sumathi Ramaswamv
Program Secretary	Charu Gupta

 

Grants and Information Services

Manager, Grants and Information Services	Neera Sood
Grants Administrators	Rekha Kapoor, Mana Challu
Information Officer	K. R. Raghunathan

 

Senior Administrative Staff

General Services Manager	S. Chellani
Manager, Finance and Accounts	Neera Uppal

 

Guidelines and Application Procedures

 

How to apply for a grant

The Foundation does not have a standard application form. Applicants are encouraged to write a letter of inquiry to the appropriate Program Officer to determine whether the Foundation’s current program priorities and available funds permit consideration of a specific proposal. If the initial reaction is favorable, a detailed proposal may be invited containing the following:

1. Background information of the organization (name, address, history, legal status, principal officers, principal sources of funding and current activities).
2. Brief narrative of the background and context of the problem or opportunities being addressed by the proposal.
3. Overall goal, specific objective and rationale of the proposal.
4. Description of the activities to be funded, including staff and timing, and links between these and the work of other organizations.
5. Description of the methods that will be used or developed.
6. Anticipated outcomes and achievements, including impact on the larger group, and how this impact will be evaluated.
7. Detailed budget, including expected funds from other sources.

 

The Foundation supports diversity and affirmative action goals in its grant-making and internal policies. The opportunities that prospective grantee organizations provide for minorities, disadvantaged groups and women are considered in evaluating grant proposals. A full statement of minority representation and a numerical profile of staff and governing board members by gender with designation and institutional affiliation should be included in the proposal. Applications are considered throughout the year. Normally, applicants may expect to receive within a month on initial indication of whether their proposals are within the Foundation’s program interest and budgetary limitations.

 

Eligibility

Any legally constituted organization or individual is eligible to receive a Foundation grant. Grants are available solely for educational, scientific, literary and charitable activities, as stipulated by United States tax lows regulating the operation of private philanthropies.

 

Types of grants

Most of the Foundation’s grant funds are given to organizations, including universities, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. Grants can be made for specific projects or for general support of an organization whose work closely parallels the Foundation’s program interests. Grants to individuals are rarely given and are limited to activities related to the Foundation’s program interest that cannot be funded by a grant to an organization.

 

The Foundation does not award undergraduate or graduate scholarships or make grants for purely personal or local needs. As a general rule, the Foundation does not support individual study tours or attendance at conferences. All grants are made on the basis of the merit of the proposals and their potential contribution to the advancement of the Foundation’s program objectives.

 

Government approval

The Foundation’s activities in India are governed by a memorandum of understanding signed with the Government of India. Under the terms of this memorandum, prior approval of the Government of India is necessary before a grant can be made to an individual or organization within India.

 

On occasion, permission from the relevant state government is required. Normally, institutions with a foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) number receive clearance within 30 days. However, institutions without an FCRA number are required to apply for “Prior Permission” and this procedure usually takes three months or more. Delays beyond the prescribed period cannot be ruled out.

 

THE FORD FOUNDATION

55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003

Telephone: 91-11-24619441/2464 8401

Fax: 91-11-24627147/24617738

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.fordfound.org

Terre des hommes (Earth of Humanity) is a children’s aid organization working against the injustice faced by children all over the world.

 

Terre des hommes believes in supporting children in their own environment and social context, with respect and solidarity, and without any reference to gender, race caste or religion.

 

Terre des hommes is an international federation of national chapters, which raise funds to support action and advocacy on behalf of children against poverty, oppression, abandonment and discrimination.

 

The first such group was set up in Lossane (Switzerland) 1959 by a Swiss journalist, for the child victims of the Franco-Algerian conflict. Other TDH chapters are in Germany, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Denmark, France, Luxurnburg, Geneva, Basel and Canada. These all work almost independently. But they have an international federation with its H.Q. at Geneva (Switzerland).

 

Terre des hommes, Germany chapter, Initiated in 1967.

 

Terre des hommes, Germany works for the creation of a just and peaceful world for all children, those alive today and the generations to come. Its endeavors are based on the fundamental principles of humanity, tolerance and equal rights for all people regardless of their origin, gender and religion.

 

Within Germany, it seeks to inform and educate the public about the situation of children, women and other vulnerable groups in developing countries.

 

Within developing countries it acts through local project partners, supporting local initiatives to protect children from exploitation, deprivation and injustice and to promote children’s rights.

 

Terre des hommes Germany – India Programme (tdhG-IP) started its work in 1975 from Pune. The Pune office is now the Regional Office for South Asia.

 

The mission statement of TDH is ” To create a world of Peace and Prosperity for all the children of today and generation to come”.

 

Support to projects

TdhG-IP supports projects of grassroots organisations that empower vulnerable groups, with a special focus on children and women. These are projects working towards

> eradicating child labour and child abuse.

> universalizing elementary education.

> improving the economic status of families.

> empowering women through providing legal aid, skill training and income earning capabilities.

> Combating discrimination against girls and women.

> promoting people-oriented health care.

> working to improve the environment, preserve bio-diversity and cultural diversity.

> protecting children from the vagaries of natural disasters, both by assisting those who are victims of such calamities and by working towards preventing these.

 

The India – Country – Strategy of Tdh focuses on the following issues/interventions –

1. Children Right Issues- a) Survival b) protection c) Development d) Right to participation
2. To work with children, for children
3. To change the social context of children’s life like poverty, deprivation, violence, homelessness etc.
4. To work against all forms of discrimination based on gender, caste, creed, race and
5. To defend human rights.

 

Supporting to campaigns

TdhG-IP also supports initiatives that promote the socio-economic rights and political empowerment of marginalized groups, and campaigns that create public awareness and mobilize public opinion on issues of  children’s and women’s rights.

 

It initiated and actively supports the national Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), and is also involved in the International Campaign against Child Trafficking (ICaCT) and the national Campaign Against Child Trafficking (CACT).

 

Other campaign priorities include promotion of bio-diversity and sustainable use of natural resources, support of cultural diversity and peace, and cam bating the impact of globalisation especially on women and children.

 

The Geographical Coverage of TDH(G) is whole India.

 

The eligibility criteria for any VO/NGO to get in partnership with Tdh is –

1. a) Registered society/trust with minimum 3 years of good track record of working in the field.
2. b) FCRA Registration.
3. c) Local Base/Local Organisation.

 

The application procedure is first to write a letter (concept note) with reports about the organisation. On its basis the Tdh office will send the project proposal format when there will be any possibility of co-operation.

 

Tdh also provide disasters support only in the area, when there is any organisation having previous project support e.g. there was flood in Bihar and Assam, but Tdh provided disaster support only in Bihar because there were project partners.

 

Apart from the Pune office tdhG-IP maintains offices in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai with a view to closely working with partner organizations based in remote areas in different zones.

 

Coordination Office

terre des hommes Germany

South Asia/ India Programme

Contact Person

 

Shri C.J. George, Regional Coordinator – South Asia

781, Regie House, Pudamje Park, Nana Peth,

Pune – 411002 Maharashtra

Tel : 020 26344028/26351634, Fax : 020 26344029

Email: [email protected]

Website:

 

tdhG-IP – Northern Office

 

Contact Person

 

Ms. Sharmistha Choudhury, Prog. Coordinator

C – 115, New Rajendra Nagar,

New Delhi 110060

Tel :01128744214/28744365

Email: [email protected]

 

tdhG-IP – Southern Office

 

Mr. P.E. Regi, Progm. Coordinator

No. 5, Ground Floor, Stephens Road Cross,

Fraser Town, Bangalore 560005, Kamataka

Tel : 08025482964 / 26484937

Email: [email protected]

 

tdhG-IP – Western Office

 

Ms. Chetna Desai, Asst. Progm. Coordinator

A/601, Uphaar, Ashok Van, Western Express Highway

Dahisar (East), Mumbai 400068

Tel: 022 28965077

Email: [email protected]

 

tdhG-IP – Eastern office

 

Smt. Suranjana Basu Das, Progm Coordinator

385/1, Keyatala Lane, Near Golpark Petrol Pump

Opp. Hotel Southway. Kolkata 700029. W. Bengal

Tel: 033 24659887/24659788

Email : [email protected]

To Prevent, Arrest and Reverse Degradation of Life Support Systems, particularly land and water so as to expand livelihood opportunities in a Sustainable and Equitable manner through People’s Participation.

 

Address: 14 A, Vishnu Digamber Marg, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi 110 002, Phone/Fax: 011 – 23 23

64 40,23 23 36 87,23 23 59 94 (Telefax), Email : [email protected]

 

Contact Person : Shri Vijay Sardana, Executive Director (As on Feb 2005)

 

Themes / Issues

SPWD provides support to NGOs on the following themes/issues in different regions :

 

(a) Eastern Region

(Presently Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa) : Soil, Moisture Conservation and Bio-mass i.e. Land, water and forests including plantation of sabai grass along with renovation of traditional water harvesting structures and formation of forest produce user’s group.

 

(b) Western Region

(Presently the state covered is Gujrat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan) : The work in western region is focused on Pasture Land Development, evolving an institutional mechanism to deal with natural resource management. It also include water harvesting structures, compost, fruit promotion and policy advocacy on forest related issues.

 

(c) Hills Region

(The state covered is Uttaranchal) SPWD gives emphasis on strengthening of the weak linkages of the farming system through social and technical interventions. The focus is also on homestead land development.

 

(d) Southern Region

(Andhra Pradesh, some parts of Tamil Nadu and Kamataka) : The emphasis in the Rayalaseema region is on “tank management” In the Eastern Ghats the focus is on forest protection and management. A new concept of forest management through C.F.M. (Community Forest Management) has been undertaken.

 

(e) Central Region

(Madhya Pradesh at present and in future may be Chhatisgarh also) : The work in the central region is focused on treatment of lands of small and marginal farmers, water harvesting, development of common lands and waste lands to provide livelihood support to farmers. The focus is also on Medical herbs Plantation on wasteland and Ravine Land Reclamation.

 

Types of Support

SPWD provides Grant-in-aid and technological supports to NGOs including training.

 

Eligibility Criteria

The NGO must be registered under society, trust or co-operative. There is no barrier of so many years of registration. But it must have a good track record and have grass root working experience.

 

Process to get in partnership

The interested NGO may contact SPWD either to its H.Q. at Delhi or Regional Office at Ranchi (HI 214, Harmu

Housing Colony, Ranchi 834002. Ph : 0651-2246421, Email : [email protected]

 

Or at Udaipur:

 

SPWD – Udaipur, 128-Technocrat Society, Bedla Road, Udaipur -313011 (Rajasthan) Tel : 0294-2450161, Email : [email protected]

 

(The office at Dehradoon and Hyderabad are being closed and its programs will be looked from Delhi H.Q.) It is suggested that first to send a concept paper. SPWD generally works together with the partner agency, go in the field with them and develop MOU after conceiving the problem of the area. Then it starts giving any support to NGOs.

SIDBI was established on April 2, 1990. The Charter establishing it. The Small Industries Development Bank of India Act, 1989 envisaged SIDBI to be “the principal financial institution for the promotion, financing and development of industry in the small scale sector and to co-ordinate the functions of the institutions engaged in the promotion and financing or developing industry in the small scale sector and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

 

Objective of the SIDBI

> Mandatory Objectives

Four basic objective are set out in the SIDBI Charter. They are :

> Financing > Promotion  > Development > Co-ordination

 

for orderly growth of industry’ in the small scale sector. The Charter has provided SIDBI considerable flexibility in adopting appropriate operational strategies to meet these objectives. The activities of SIDBI, as they have evolved over the period of time, now meet almost all the requirements of small scale industries which fall into a wide spectrum constituting modern and technologically superior units at one end and traditional units at the other.

 

Potential Schemes of SIDBI for NGOs

 

1. Fast Track Financing Scheme

 

Eligible borrowers

Existing borrowers (SSI units or service sector enterprises) having a default-free track record with SIDBI. If such well run units having impeccable track record of satisfactory performance and repayment are identified by SIDBT from its existing clientele, then a fast track financing scheme could be offered to them meeting such requirement.

 

Constitution

The unit should generally be a private limited / public limited company. However, partnership firms, sole proprietorship concerns, Trusts and societies would also be considered on case to case basis.

 

Extend of assistance

A limit shall be fixed up to which drawl can be made by the borrower on tap basis.

 

Purpose

To meet financial requirements of existing clients on a fast track basis for purpose(s) such as acquisition of additional machinery, equipment, miscellaneous fixed assets, undertaking various marketing related activities, quality up gradation and modernisation measures, meeting working capital requirements including gap in MPBF or margin or any other purpose considered relevant.

 

Limit

Generally Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh to be fixed at the time of application on the basis of SIDBI’s assessment of the account, limit shall be valid for one year and to be reviewed annually thereafter:

 

Disbursement

Disbursements to be made on need-basis within the sanctioned limit and validity period

> Norms & parameter    > Debt Equity Ratio

Generally not exceeding 2:1 for the company as a whole

 

Period of loan/limit : Flexible, but not more than 3 years.

 

2. Integrated Infrastructural Development (IID)

 

Purpose

For setting up of IID centres with facilities like water supply, power, telecommunication, common services centre including for technological back up services for small scale industries in rural backward areas as envisaged under the policy for promoting and strengthening small, tiny village enterprises announced by Govt. of India (GOI) on August6, 1991 .The cost of improving/upgrading the deficient infrastructural facilities to increase the productivity and optimum utilisation of the existing centres / clusters in backward / rural areas may also be covered under the scheme.

 

Eligible Borrowers

Implementing agencies (a public sector corporation or a corporate body or a good NGO having sound financial position) entrusted with the task of implementing the scheme by the concerned State / Union Territory (UT) Govt.

 

Norms

Selection of IID centre should be preceded by a comprehensive industrial potential survey of the area. Suitable land would be provided by State / U.T. Govt. cost of which may be recovered from implementing agencies. Normally, agricultural land may not be used for setting up of an IID centre. The size of IID centre would be about 15 to 20 hectares. The centre should provide for various facilities like water supply, power, telecommunication, effluent treatment etc.

 

The ceiling on project cost is Rs. 50 million. Cost in excess of Rs. 50 million may be met by State / UT Govt. Cost of Rs. 50 million to be financed by Grant from Govt. of India (Gol) Rs. 20 million and loan from SIDBI, from any other bank/FI of Rs. 30 million. In case of North-Eastem Region, the amount of Grant from GOI and loan from SIDBI, from any other bank / fl would be Rs. 40 million and Rs. 10 million respectively.

 

3. Scheme for Development of Industrial Infrastructure in FFI Sector (DDI) Purpose

Setting up of industrial estates / development of industrial areas including such projects found eligible under KVIC model.

 

Strengthening of existing industrial clusters/estates by providing increased amenities for smooth working of the industrial units. Setting up of warehousing facilities for SSI products/units.

 

Providing support services viz., common utility centres such as convention halls, trade centres, raw material depots, warehousing, tool rooms/testing centres, housing for industrial workers, etc. Any other infrastructural facilities which will benefit predominantly SSI units / entrepreneurs.

 

Eligible Borrowers

All forms organisations such as Public / Pvt. Ltd. Companies; Registered Societies/Trusts; Government Corporations; Corporate / Co-operative entities / accredited NGOs approved by KVIC.

 

Norms

Cost of Project : Not to exceed Rs. 100 million.

Debt Equity Ratio : Not more than 3:1

Repayment Period – Not exceeding 10 years including initial moratorium period of upto 3 years.

 

4. Marketing Fund for Women

 

Objective

The assistance under the Fund is available to women entrepreneurs and organisations involved in marketing of products manufactured by women entrepreneurs to increase their reach, both in domestic and international markets.

 

Eligible Borrowers

 

> SSI units managed by women entrepreneurs.

> Marketing related service provides Organisations / units in the corporate / co-operative/ NGO sectors which are providing support services like internet, trade related information, advertising, marketing research, warehousing, common testing centres, etc. to enterprises owned and managed by women.

 

Consortia

 

Organisations / Associations / Women Groups / Marketing Consortia that have an exclusive marketing mandate and have, as their vendor base, a wide range of small and tiny units owned and managed by women entrepreneurs. While the terms and conditions for sanction of assistance would be flexible, they would essentially depend upon the soundness of the management, track record of performance and viability of future operations.

 

Developmental Assistance

Besides providing financial assistance as mentioned above, SIDBI could also consider, on a selective basis, developmental assistance by way of soft loans/grants for organising group activities and programmes such as trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, seminars, workshops, training programmes, etc. to promote marketing of products manufactured by women entrepreneurs.

 

5. Mahila Udyam Nidhi (MUN)

 

Purpose : To meet gap in equity

 

Eligible Borrowers

Women entrepreneurs for setting up new projects in tiny / small scale sector and rehabilitation of viable sick SSI units. Existing tiny and small scale industrial units & service enterprises [tiny enterprises would include all industrial units and service industries (except Road Transport Operators) satisfying the investment ceiling prescribed for tiny enterprises] undertaking expansion, modernisation technology upgradation & diversification can also be considered.

 

Norms

> Scheme operated through SFCs/twin function SIDCs/Scheduled Commercial Banks/ Select Urban Co-operative Banks

> Cost of Project – Not to exceed Rs. 1 million.

> Soft Loan limit – 25% of cost of Project subject to a maximum of Rs. 2,50,000 per project.

> Service charges – 1% p.a. on soft loan.

 

6. SIDBI Foundation for Micro Credit

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), has launched a major project christened “SIDBI Foundation for Micro Credit” (SFMC) as a proactive step to facilitate accelerated and orderly growth of the micro finance sector in India. SFMC is envisaged to emerge as the apex wholesaler for micro finance in India providing a complete range of financial and non-financial services such as loan funds, grant support, equity and institution building support to the retailing Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) so as to facilitate their development into financially sustainable entities, besides developing a network of service providers for the sector. SFMC is also poised to play a significant role in advocating appropriate policies and regulations and to act as a platform for exchange of information across the sector. Operations of SFMC in the next few years, are expected to contribute significantly towards development of a more formal, extensive and effective micro finance sector serving the poor in India. SIDBI FOUNDATION FOR MICRO CREDIT (SFMC) has been operating as a specialised Department of Small Industries Development Bank of India from January 1, 1999.

 

SFMC – Range of Service

SFMc offers customised need based package of loan, grant and equity to partner MFIs, for meeting their on-lending requirements as also for their institutional capacity building to enable them to transform themselves into ‘state of the art’ financial institutions, besides facilitating the overall growth of the micro finance sector in India. This include efforts to develop a market of service providers, consultants, rating agencies, micro finance training institutions, mentors etc, through a number of initiatives.

 

SFMC – Financial Products

 

1. A) Loans for On-Lending

 

Eligibility

> The MFI has been in existence for at least five years and/or it has a demonstrated track record of running a successful micro-credit programme at least for the last three years. However, any new MFI desirous of initiating a micro credit programme may also be considered for assistance if it has been promoted and managed by experienced micro finance professionals with experience of at least three years in micro credit.

> The MFI has achieved minimum outreach of 3,000 poor members (through individual lending/ Self Help Groups (SHGs)/partner NGOs or MFIs) or demonstrates the capability to reach this scale within a period of next twelve mottles or so.

> It should choose clients irrespective of class, creed and religion and its activities should be secular in nature.

> It maintains a satisfactory and transparent accounting, MIS and internal audit system or is willing to adopt such practices with SIDBI assistance.

> It has a relatively low risk portfolio or has a definite plan to further improve its recovery performance.

 

Types of eligible intermediaries

 

> Societies registered under Societies Act, 1860 or similar State Acts:

> Trusts Registered under Public Trusts Act, 1920 or similar Acts:

> Companies registered under the Companies Act, 1956 including Section 25 Companies:

> Non Banking Finance Companies providing financial services to the poor.

> Specialiesed and other Co-operative such as Mutually Aided Co-operative Societies etc.

> Any other type of institutions that offer micro finance and related services may be considered on merit

 

Lending Channels

MFIs may on-lend directly to SHGs/individuals or route their assistance through their partner NGOs and MFIs. They may also adopt any other lending channel so as to effectively reach financial assistance to the poor clients.

 

Eligible activities

The loans to ultimate borrowers is to be utilized for financing micro enterprises and non-farm activities.

 

Frequency and quantum of loan

> Annual or need based repeat assistance.

> Loan assistance per MFI for on-lending is subject to a minimum of Rs. 1mn.

> Maximum amount lent by the MFIs to an individual borrower/member in general may not exceed Rs. 25000/-

 

Rate of interest

Loans were earlier available to MFIs @ 11% p.a. now it varies between 8.5 to 10.5% p.a. MFIs, in turn, may determine the interest rates for on-lending keeping in view the cost of operation and in consultation with their partners/SHGs/clients.

 

Repayment period

MFIs are required to repay the loan to SIDBI generally within a period of 4 years on quarterly basis including an initial moratorium on the principal of 6-12 months from the date of first disbursement. Interest payments and principal repayments are required to be made on quarterly basis on March 01, June 01, September 01 and December 01 of each year.

 

Security

> Term Deposit Receipts (TDRs) equivalent to 10% of the loan amount together with interest accrued thereon, are required to be pledged as security. The TDRs should be for a minimum duration of 4 years or currency of the loan, whichever is late.

> Assets created, if any, out of the assistance are held in trust by MFI on behalf of SIDBI.

 

Other conditions

Capacity Assessment Rating (CAR) of MFIs is undertaken prior to each assistance. CAR is an important component of selection criteria for MFIs. CAR serves as a decision making and evaluation credit worthiness, absorption capacity and business intent of both potential and existing clients.

 

1. B) Liquidity Management Support

 

Purpose

> The Liquidity Management Support (LMS) is envisaged to help the partner MFIs to meet the immediate unexpected liquidity needs for their micro finance programme. lt will help them to cater to the unusual cash outflows on account of on-lending.

 

Eligibility

> At least two years of partnership with SFMC

> The MFI should not have been in default to any lending agency/bank including SIDBI.

 

Product Features

> The LMS is being offered to the MFIs on an annual basis.

> The quantum of support is limited to a maximum of 15°/o of the loan outstanding (as on March 31 of the previous year) of the MFI under the regular MCS loan or Rs. 2.5 mn., whichever is less.

> The facility may be renewed/enhanced/reduced subject to a review at the end of the year. The nature of security has been kept unchanged from that under the regular loan product viz. Pledge of Term Deposit Receipts (TDRs) for operational simplicity.

 

1. C) Transformation Loan

 

Purpose

The Transformation Loan (TL) is envisaged as a quasi-equity type support to a select band of top level non-corporate Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). TL would help the MFIs not only in transforming themselves into corporate entities but also in enhancing their equity base thus helping in leveraging loan funds and expanding their micro credit operations on a sustainable basis.

 

Eligibility

> At least three years of partnership with SFMC.

> Minimum loan outstanding of Rs. 10 mn. with SFMC.

> Minimum portfolio size of Rs. 150 mn.

> A sufficiently large and focused micro finance programme.

> Portfolio-at-risk (>30 days) not more than 10%.

> Demonstrate the willingness to transform into a more appropriate legal entity which would facilitate smooth implementation of micro finance programme.

> Not been in default to any lending agency/bank including SIDBI.

 

Product Feature

> The TL would have the feature of conversion into equity after a specified period of time

subject to the MFI attaining certain structural, operational and financial benchmarks.

 

Interest free loan up to a maximum of Rs. 0.23 mn. per MFI – only a service fee of 1% p.a. is payable by the MFI.

 

Capacity Building Initiative

 

1. Capacity building of MFIs

 

Financial assistance by way of grant is provided to partner MFIs for meeting their capacity building needs encompassing all areas of operational, organisational and managerial aspects with a view to making them sustainable corporate entity serving the poor, in due course. It is hoped that initial doses of operational support and technical assistance, increase in the volume of business and efficient financial management, would gradually enable and equip the MFIs to cover their costs.

 

1. Capacity building of Formal Financial Institutions (FFIs)

SIDBI works with a large number of Formal Financial Institutions (FFIs) in the mainstream business of financing small scale industry. Networking with them for delivery of micro finance would be beneficial to the sector as the FFIs have wide outreach. It provides enabling inputs for increasing their micro finance operations on sustainable lines.

 

1. General Capacity building of the Micro Finance sector

SFMC provides financial support to specialized technical and management institutes for conducting training and orientation programmes for the functionaries and staff of MFIs.

 

1. Financial services to underserved areas

Development of micro finance and concentration of MFIs has hitherto been skewed, mainly to the southern part of India. SFMC has taken several proactive steps to increase the flow of assistance to hitherto, under-served areas particularly North-Eastern, Eastern and Northern Region including tying up with long-term partnerships arrangements with committed capacity builders for facilitating capacity building support to new/small micro finance institutions, which are not being directly supported by SFMC,

 

Presently, SFMC is also working on framing the strategy of encouraging some of its bigger partner MFIs to promote MFTs in under-served areas. SFMC is also extending support to reputed NGOs/ development institutions, working in under-served areas and having experience in implementing livelihood promotion programmed in rural areas by way of initial capacity building support.

 

1. Efforts towards improving policy environment

The issues faced by MFIs currently include lack of appropriate legal form for an MFI, and various changes that are required in the existing legal framework to facilitate the operations of MFIs throughout the country. Hence, SFMC has been involved with various national level efforts towards improving the policy environment for the sector. Also, in keeping with SIDBFs role of an apex institution for the small scale sector. SFMC also supports the process of dialogues and deliberations at state and national levels aimed at formulation of appropriate and coherent policy guidelines and regulatory norms for the sector. One of the major activities envisaged as part of policy advocacy initiative is supporting an annual high-level seminar with participation from policy makers, national/international micro finance practitioners (including SIDBI Foundation assisted MFIs) and service providers. This major national event is envisaged as a forum to discuss emerging themes in micro finance, examine new micro finance innovations and compare Indian achievements with best practices elsewhere.

 

New innovative ideas in areas such as micro finance practices, credit delivery techniques and methodologies, products etc., are supported as part of the action research plan which includes support towards studies, field testing, pilot implementation and commercialization of feasible ideas.

 

7. Rural Industries Program

 

Introduction

A unique approach for rural industrialisation where the emphasis is on stimulating and helping the potential entrepreneurs to set up small enterprises through consultancy outfit positioned by SIDBI.

 

Objective

Development of viable and self-sustaining tiny/small enterprises in rural and semi urban India by harnessing local entrepreneurial talent. The Programme attempts to address the problems such as rural unemployment, urban migration and under-utilisation of local skills and resources, and is designed as a comprehensive Business Development Services programme.

 

The Rural Industries Programme (RIP) of the Bank provides a cohesive and integrated package of basic inputs like information, motivation, training and credit, backed by appropriate technology and market linkages for the purpose of enterprise promotion.

 

Approach

 

Development of underdeveloped areas : Under RIP, an economically underdeveloped district is identified and an Implementing Agency (IA) Development professionals, Technical consultancy organisation or Non-Government organisation is positioned to provide a comprehensive and integrated package of inputs and business development services to potential entrepreneurs. The identified IA positions a team of professionals at the field level for a period of five year. IA also provides support post implementation period to ensure sustainability of enterprises.

 

Integrated approach : The package of services provided by IA, inter alia, includes identifying and motivating rural entrepreneurs, identification of viable ventures based on local skills and resources, training, appropriate technology linkages and finance tie-up with the formal banking sector.

 

Performance Oriented incentives : Enterprises are grounded on technological and economic considerations. No subsidies or grants are available to entrepreneurs. Besides start-up administrative support, IA is paid performances fee in the range of Rs. 2000 to Rs. 7000 per unit promoted, depending on project size.

 

Long term viability and sustainability of the enterprises promoted is an important aspect of RIP. New enterprises require continued support, at least for the first year of their operations. Therefore, an amount of Rs. 1,000 per unit is payable to the lAs by way of post-sanction incentive over and above the initial performance fee for providing escort services to the assisted entrepreneurs and post-sanction work.

 

A sub-sectoral approach is followed to enable the implementing agencies to provide necessary backward and forward linkages to the enterprises.

 

Mahila Udyam Mitra (MUM)

Mahila Udyam Mitra (MUM) is a variant of RIP which targets promotion of micro enterprises by women entrepreneurs. The programme was test launched in Andhra Pradesh in end 1994 with APITCO as the IA. The programme has met with success in Andhra Pradesh and has led to grounding of 2037 enterprises by women entrepreneurs as on March 31,2003, The success has prompted the Bank to extend the intervention to Kerala with APITCO containing as the IA. The programme has resulted in promotion of 150 enterprises by women in Kerala.

 

8. Entrepreneurship Development Program

 

Introduction

Entrepreneurship can be developed by training. Towards this end and also to make the Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) result-oriented, SIDBI has been supporting suitable agencies to train and guide potential entrepreneurs to set up enterprises.

 

Objective

EDPs aim at training various target groups in entrepreneurial traits so that they obtain adequate information, motivation ad guidance in setting up their own enterprises. In order to maintain a homogeneous nature of participating groups, EDPs focus on rural entrepreneurs, women SC/ST, etc.

 

Programme particulars

The EDPs are normally of 4-6 weeks duration coupled with proper practical training inputs. Training Agencies specialising in conducting EDPs, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and specialised technical institutes are extended assistance to conduct product specific EDPs.

 

In an effort to attract more professional and result oriented institutions into the EDP fold, the Bank has made the scheme more performance oriented by extending reasonable support towards training cost and encouraging the institutions to earn performance fee by grounding units.

 

9. Mahila Vikas Nidhi

Mahila Vikas Nidhi Scheme is aimed at the economic empowerment of women, especially from the weaker strata in rural areas by providing them with avenues for training and employment by creation of infrastructure in the form of Training-cum-Production Centres (TPCs). The Projects are implemented through accredited NGOs with good track record in the field of enterprise development for women.

 

Offices of SIDBI

 

Head Office

10/10. Madan Mohan Malviya Marg, Lucknow – 226 001 U.P., Tel : 2209517-21, 2209565, Fax : 2209512-14

 

Regional Offices

 

Chennai

480, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai – 600 035, Tel : 24330286,24330964,24361893, Fax: 24330348

 

Guwahati

2nd & 3rd Floors, IDBI Building, Opposite Sentinel Press, G.S. Road, Guwahati – 781 005, Tel: 2524020, Fax: 2529545

 

Kolkata

II, Dr. U.N. Brahmachari Street (8th Floor), Opp. La Martiniere Girls schools, Kolkata-700 017 Tel : 22404183, 22404228, 22801382, Fax: 22404093

 

Mumbai

11th. Floor Nariman Bhavan, 227, Vinay K. Shah Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021 Tel : 22846065, 22873897, 22873899, Fax: 22872450

 

New Delhi

11th Floor, Videocon Tower, E-l, Rani Jhansi Road, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi-110 055

Tel : 23682473-77, Fax: 23682461,23682464

 

Branch Offices are at: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Baroda, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Dimapur, Faridabad, Gangtok, Hyderabad Itanagar, Imphal, Indore, Jaipur. Jammu, Jamshedpur,Kanpur, Kochi, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Ponddicherry, Pune ,Raipur Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla , Tirupur, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam