IGSSS started over forty years ago, in 1960 as a funding agency seeking to reach out to the most margina Used and vulnerable communities of the Indian subcontinent. Through the experience gained over the years and through constant evaluation, the organisation realised the need to change its approach. It has matured from being a mere funding agency to a development support organisation striving to make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable backward communities through meaningful partnerships with grassroot NGOs and communities, in India.
IGSSS is registered under the Societies registration Act, Foreign Contribution Regulation act and Income Tax Act.
Our Vision
“A humane social order based on truth, justice, freedom, equity and integrity of the whole of creation in which basic human rights and the dignity of every individual are upheld, in which the integrity of the family as a basic unit of the community is strengthened, where power, resources and the fruits of development are shared by all”.
We Strive Towards Building A More Humane Social Order
Our Mission
- To raise and maintain IGSSS as an organisation committed to building a society for all based on the principles of truth, justice, freedom, equity and plurality in solidarity with the poor, marginalised & vulnerable sections of society such as Dalits, Tribals, Minorities, Women and Children.
- To support sustainable movements, capacity building programmes and initiatives which are relevant and innovative.
- To achieve our objectives through dedicated, committed and competent teams in partnership with like-minded organisations and individuals.
- To enhance the capacity of our human resources in terms of integrity, attitude and orientation.
We Want To Be Better
- Every effort of ours stresses on the development of the community as a whole and not only on isolated sections.
- We partner with organisations that have a clear conception and understanding of issues on the field.
- We maintain constant and close interaction with our partners and programmes, through our field offices.
- We lay constant stress on processes because we believe in the importance of both the path as well as the goal.
- We have developed the ability to stretch funds to cover a larger number of beneficiaries and a wider range of activities.
Helping Communities Make Informed Choices For Desired Outcomes
Empowerment, Governance, and Rights
Development does not mean just growth, but one that is people-oriented, participatory and equitable, To empower marginalised communities (depressed castes, marginalised tribes, women and children) through access to decision-making structures, employment opportunities and education, IGSSS constituted it’s National Integrated Empowerment Programme.
Under this programme, IGSSS undertake to strengthen local governance by emphasising on accountability and transparency, decentralised and democratic planning. Statutory representation for women and socially disadvantaged groups, promotion of cooperatives and organisation of self-help groups are some of the interventions that are promoted at local and national levels.
We also promote a strong network of groups and organisations that work together to ensure peace. Under conflict resolution and peace building, every partner has integrated activities within their operations to enable the spread of Secular Values and Harmony.
IGSSS empowerment programme aims to strengthen people’s capacity to participate more actively in the fight against poverty and exclusion. We do this by involving the community directly in the process of assessing local needs, identifying what would be the most appropriate solution and developing plans which respond to these needs.
IGSSS believes that while individuals should be supported in their struggle to achieve their rights, in reality the decision makers also need to be persuaded and convinced to accept these rights not only in legal and constitutional terms but also in the formulation and implementation of all development activities. IGSSS perspective emphasis’s on process based empowerment initiatives by, with and for the marginalised communities. As a result, the organisation undertakes appropriate advocacy, lobbying and campaign activities.
A Higher Standard Of Living Through Sustainable Livelihood
In India, rural poverty is mainly related to a lack of access to cultivable land or low productivity of land. The majority of population, living in and around forests derive livelihood support from the collection and marketing of non-timber forest produce (NTFPs). The issue of access to and rights over NTFPs is thus vital to their sustenance.
Poverty reduction and the move towards a higher standard of living are targets that need to be pursued on a sustained basis. Through a sustainable livelihood framework, that is prepared in consultation with our partners and the communities we work with, IGSSS works towards achieving these targets with proficiency.
In addition, we work towards natural resource management, establishing sustainable agriculture practices and nurturing non-agro livelihood options.
Living A dignified Life Based On Good Health
Raising the incomes of the poor will be instrumental in improving their health status. We work with our partners for the provision of public health services such as access to basic and preventive health care, sanitation and clean water, and to raise awareness about causes of illnesses and their treatment. We also work towards identifying policy interventions that can improve people’s health status at existing income levels. Our emphasis on maternal and child health is Important because these continue to be areas of persistent lack and neglect Also, due to its large population, low literacy levels and consequently low levels of awareness, India is facing one of her most challenging public health problems – that of HIV/AIDs. Tracking the epidemic and implementing effective programmes is a challenge that has been taken up by IGSSS, And due to our ever-expanding capabilities, we find ourselves able to cope with this challenge.
Helping You With Your Commitments
The number of years of experience and the type of work we have done is unsurpassed by most development organisation, in India. IGSSS first started as the Indian arm to Misereor, Germany, as an organisation that could use its local knowledge to understand development needs. Today, we have moved beyond that role, but we continue to use our local knowledge and experience to help Misereor and other organisations who want to or who have made a foray into the Indian subcontinent.
Among the Consultancy Service that we provides are Pre Funding Studies, Mid Term Reviews, Post Funding Studies and Evaluations. We also conduct Research Studies and Training Programmes/Workshops for perspective building by Donor’s among their partners in India.
IGSSS provides Consultancy Services to implementing as well as funding agencies to help them plan, assess and evaluate their interventions anywhere in India.
Our Work Ethics
Our donors support us because of their faith in the work we do. We receive funds from international donors such as Zentralstelle/Misereor (Germarny), DKA/KFB (Austria), German Agro Action (Germany), and SKN (Netherlands). We also partner with SIMAVI (Netherlands) and MIVA (Switzerland) for the assessment of projects supported by them in India. We have also started the process of receiving funds from Indian donors.
After a pre funding study, discussions and regional project selection committee meetings, these funds are disbursed to partner organisations. The regional project selection committee comprises professionals from fields like Social Development, Economics, Science, Agriculture, Management, Indian Aministration, and Health. With their diverse experience, knowledge and in-depth understanding as a backdrop, our project selection committees sanction funds to those that not only need them the most but who will put them to the best use.
The General Body and the Board of Governors comprise professionals with experience in the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Planning Commission, United Nations, Social Development, Research, Organisation Development and Management, Finance Ministry, and Health. This governing structure ensures that our organisation is steered with wisdom.
We have a continuous process of monitoring and feedback. Support for capacity building is also provided to partners and to beneficiaries. We maintain our work ethics by funding credible, sincere and ever growing organisations.
The Medical Aid Programme
Under this programme, IGSSS provides medical aid to economically poor patients for life saving treatment of diseases like Cancer and diseases related to Heart, Renal/Kidney etc. We have been involved in this activity since 1966.
The main objective of this programme is to enable the most deprived section across the country, especially those from Interior village and backward communities to avail of medical services.
The Scholarship Programme
This programme was instituted with the objective of promoting employment-oriented training of youth coming from socially and economically weaker groups in India. The programme includes support of vocational training for individuals as well as professional education of persons who is turn would be actively involved in the social and economic development of the country. Requests are received from all corners of the country especially from remote areas. Due preference is given to women candidates, orphans, persons belonging to Dalit and Tribal Communities and also to persons with disabilities.
IGSSS functions with a decentralised system. The Head Office, at New Delhi, acts as a facilitating unit for the Regional and Field Offices. Each region is distinguished not just on the basis of geography but also on the basis of the priority issues and uniqueness of that area.
Northern Region
The Northern Region, with its headquarters at Delhi, underwent a geographical reorganisation in the last year when the state of Bihar went under the aegis of the Eastern Region. Under the guidance of a new manager, it was also decided that there would be more meaningful support towards the welfare and development of the people in Jammu & Kashmir.
The geographical area under the Northern Region is : Uttar Pradesh, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh.
The issues and sectors, which were given priority in the past year, are women’s empowerment, dalit empowerment, fen-nation of SHGs natural resource management (specially water), panchayati raj institutions, sustainable livelihood and agriculture, and traditional systems of medicines as a tool for community based health care.
Northeastern Region
The priority issue for the region continued to be livelihood development through agro-based and non agro-based activities. With this focus, the region has made some breakthroughs in a few areas especially in mobilising women towards empowerment, through the Self Help Group (SHG) movement.
The Northereastern region comprises Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
IGSSS programmes in the area have a pluralist approach to development; they incorporate a variety of partners in a variety of roles towards the end goals of sustainable human development and equitable sharing of resource-related benefits and responsibilities.
Head Office
IGSSS head office, too, experienced many structural changes. Efforts were made to streamline processes and move towards greater efficiency. The Programme and Finance departments each brought out manuals to ensure correct procedures and better understanding amongst the staff. A Human Resources department (formerly known as Personnel and Administration) and a Documentation Cell (to ensure wider dissemination of information) were constituted.
Working With the Community for Greater Achievement
Over time, we have increasingly realised the importance of focussing on the development of the community as a whole. Even if a programme is aimed at the individual, it ultimately leads to community development. Without this focus, adequate development would not take place.
Long-term and Spontaneous development
Long-term and spontaneous development, though they may seem to be dichotomous in nature, are both supported by IGSSS. We extend these types of support to our partner organisations. Long-term development and empowerment process (known as Process-based Projects, in IGSSS’ parlance) focus on specific issues and ensure adequate people’s participation. Continuous and in-depth planning are salient features of these processes.
Spontaneous development / innovative interventions (known as Spontaneous Projects, in IGSSS’ parlance) are immediate, creative and innovative development initiatives that have the potential for replication. These programmes require quick thinking and a capacity to respond rapidly.
Both long-term and spontaneous development, focused on specific issues and target groups; chief among these were tribals, dalits, women and economically weaker sections. Special efforts were also taken to mainstream gender in almost all the projects.
Students Mobilisation Initiative For Learning Through Exposure (SMILE)
SMILE is an alternative education programme that provides the youth with multiple opportunities to gain knowledge, attitudes, values and skills necessary for a transformation of their lives and society at large. The programme comprises three basic components :
- Youth Motivation
- Fellowship
- Exchange programmes
The Northeastern (NE) Region undertakes the majority of work under SMILE. Some of the major activities of the year are described :
National Education Group (NEG)
NEG was established with the objective of providing basic education for underprivileged children in India. The group has undergone substantial changes over the last few years and is trying to register itself as a legal entity. NEG’s new name has been finalised as “Foundation for Empowerment through Education”.
In a state of transition, NEG has not been able to carry out as many activities as envisaged. However, during the year different resource centres held a number of teachers training programmes. This was done to promote qualitative and child centred education in the country. Some of the resource centres also initiated campaign and advocacy programmes along with other agencies. A total of 25 projects were sanctioned, during the year.
Living a Dignified Life Based on Good Health
IGSSS vision is of a humane social order where basic human rights are maintained and the dignity of every individual is upheld. A life based on good health is a dignified life and is the right of every human being. However, there are many who do not have such luxury. Recognising this, IGSSS strives to make a difference through its progrmmes.
Medical Aid
The Medical Aid Programme is a special programme, which provides aid to economically poor patients for expensive life saving treatment of diseases like Cancer and diseases related to Heart, Kidney etc. The amount required for treatment varies from Rs. I lakh to Rs. 4 lakh. IGSSS provides only a partial contribution of the total cost and encourages the balance amount to be raised from other sources. Besides helping raise additional funds for the treatment, IGSSS also involves itself in a network of hospitals donor agencies and non-governmental organisations. We receive two separate grants, from Misereor, towards this programme:
- Children’s Medical Aid (Up to 16 years)
- Adult Medical Aid (Above 16 years)
82 cases were sanctioned for a total amount of Rs. 795,000 under Adult Medical Aid and 125 cases were sanctioned
Indo German Agreement (IGA)
IGSSS is registered by the Government of India as an Indian recipient agency for duty free imports of donations of medicines, medical equipment, agricultural equipment, etc. for relief and rehabilitation purposes. We forward these to non-profit charitable and welfare organizations serving deprived sections of the Indian society. The organisations, in turn, distribute these donations, free of cost, irrespective of caste, creed, race or religion.
Six donations of medical items valued at Rs. 3,672,087.75 were received during the financial year 2003-2004. These were dispatched to hospitals and health centres across the country, primarily in remote areas.
This service is rendered by IGSSS at no charge.
Lump sum Scholarship
This programme is operated through local NGOs, institutes and dioceses involved for job oriented training. Under this scheme, institutions and dioceses are allocated lump sum amounts, annually, to support individual students studying within their purview. In the year 2003-04, a total of 46 projects were sanctioned.
Individual Scholarship
The aim of this programme is to promote employment-oriented training and education for unemployed youth who belong to socially and economically backward groups in India.
The courses covered are up to the graduate level only (with the exception of MSW at the Masters Level). Training courses offered by ITI and Polytechnic Institutions and professional degrees like B.Ed. B.Sc Nursing, MBBS and B.E. come under the purview of this programme.
Functional Vocational Training Forum (FVTF)
FVTF aims at creating opportunities for the poor and marginalised, to acquire a profession and earn a living, on a sustainable basis, with dignity and self-respect. Special focus is laid on dalits, tribals and women.
After 10 years of its dedicated service FVTF has now come to a stage where it will be registered as a Society.
Head Office
IGSSS
28, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003
Email: [email protected] URL: https://igsss.org
Tel: 011-24692192/93, Fax: 011-24626259
Regional Offices
Eastern Region – Regional Manager
Flat No. 2, 1st Floor, 5 A, Orient Row, Kolkata-700 017
Tel : 033 – 30958388,033-22 890447, Email : [email protected] , [email protected]
Western Region
1Taj Apartments, Next to Pune Adventist Hospital, Salisbury Park (Atur Sangtani Park), Pune “411 037,
Tel: 020-24263918 Fax: 020-24263918 Email: [email protected]
Northern Region
28, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003
Telefax: 011-24642405 Email: [email protected]
Southern Region
22/13 IV Main, SK Gardens, bangalore – 560 046
Tel : 080 – 23437448 Email : [email protected]
Northeastern Region
Bye Lane 5, Rajgarh Road, Guwahati – 781 003, Assam
Tel : 0361 – 2457704 Email : [email protected]
Jharkhand Office
Shri K.C.Sahu, Field Executive (Jharkhand)
I-l/o Mr. N.K. Singh, At. Ashok Kunj, Opp. Road No. 3,
Ashok Nagar, Ranchi 834002
Phone: 0651 -2242818, email : [email protected] , [email protected]
