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

 

The Sir Ratan Tata Trust, established in 1918, has announced the Sir Ratan Tata Travel Grants. The grants are awarded to students pursuing their post-graduate and doctoral studies and for professionals pursuing their mid-career programmes or attending relevant and meaningful seminars and conferences abroad.

 

The grant consists of partial international airfare from India to the university/organisation abroad. Students attending the fall session (July, August and September) are requested to submit their applications to the Trust after finalising the university they intend to join. The last date for applying to the Trust was May 31 in 2004. Students proceeding abroad during other times of the year are requested to contact the Trust three / four months prior to their departure, after finalising the university. Similarly, professionals are also requested to apply three / four months prior to their departure.

 

The travel grants are open to all resident Indians; they are not exclusively open to wards (children) of Tata employees. No recommendation from any Tata / ex – Tata employee or any other person will be entertained.

A travel grants application can be made with the following documents.

> A written application from the student / professional:

> Statement of purpose:

> Updated resume:

> In the case of students, the confirmed admission letter from the university abroad stating details of admission (no email accepted):

> In the case of professionals, the letter of invitation from the organisers (no emails accepted), along with a letter of leave of absence from employers.

 

All applications have to be sent by post only.

 

The Trust maintains an egalitarian and professional approach in granting the various forms of financial assistance to individuals. Hence it may be noted that awarding financial assistance to individuals is at the discretion of the Trust and the decision made in this respect is final.

 

Contact:

The Secretary and chief accountant

Sir Ratan Tata Trust,

Bombay House, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400 001, India

Tel : +91-22-5665 8282, Fax: +91-22-5665 8013

Email: [email protected]

The Sir Ratan Tata Trust is one of India’s oldest grant-bestowing foundations. It was established in 1918, following the death of Sir Ratan Tata, and it operates in accordance with his will. Sir Ratan wanted to establish a trust that would help further “the advancement of education, learning and industry in all its branches”.

The Trust broadly makes two types of grants :

> Institutional grants, under which come programme grants, endowment grants and small grants.

> Individual grants, which are medical and education grants.

 

Institutional grants

Programme grants

The following areas of involvement have been earmarked while extending programme grants :

> Rural livelihoods and communities

> Education

> Health

> Arts and culture

> Civil Society and governance

 

Rural livelihoods and communities

Enhancing rural livelihoods and strengthening rural communities is the aim of the Trust’s grant-making endeavours. Within this theme the Trust focuses on two broad areas :

 

Land and water development : Some of the key grants made here focus on the following specific interventions:

 

> Water-sector research : The Trust’s initiatives in land and water development are supported by research initiatives that seek solutions on water-related issues.

 

> Central India initiative (CInI) : Started to address the issues of land and water development in the resource-rich but poor tribal areas of Central India, this initiative supports various organisations.

 

> Gujarat salinity prevention and mitigation initiative: Launched by the Trust and its partners, this deals with the problem of salinity ingress, which has rendered vast tracts of land infertile in the coastal areas of Gujarat. The initiative has been renamed as Kharash Vistarotthan Yojna.

 

> Resolving the Himalayan dilemma: This is a major initiative launched by the Trust, along with partner organisations, to address the crying issues of food, water and employment in the central Himalayan region. The initiative has been renamed as Himmothan Pariyojana.

 

> Reviving the green revolution : The Trust actively supports the efforts of agricultural organisations in promoting agricultural diversification in Punjab to revive the green revolution.

 

> Drought-proofing in Rajasthan: Supporting organisations to create lasting solutions, by evolving technological and organisational innovations for integrated development of drought prone areas of Rajasthan. Support is also given for drought relief activities in West Rajasthan.

 

Micro-finance: The Trust has encouraged the promotion of saving and credit groups, with a view to organise communities, improve access to credit, and encourage asset creation. Regional initiatives in Rajasthan and South India have been strengthened for promoting livelihoods and reducing vulnerabilities.

 

The Trust also encourages deeper linkages between micro-finance and development, through a focus on under-served areas and communities. To bolster these efforts, the Trust also supports research in micro-finance, besides supporting programmes in community-based health financing.

 

> Education

The Trust has been committed to improving the quality of education in India through efforts in the following areas:

 

School-based education : This is done by enhancing the quality of teaching and providing value additions in government schools to make learning an invigorating experience, minimise dropouts, and increase the involvement of children in the learning process through innovative, child-friendly methods.

 

Out-of school education : The specific educational needs of marginalised children are met through specially set up camps.

 

Education management : This is done through research that improves management training for government officers of the education department and school administration. Higher education: This happens by strengthening the reengineering efforts of existing institutions, and through institution-based fellowships in the field of development.

> Health

In this sphere the Trust focuses its efforts in the following areas :

 

Community-based health programme : These programmes focus on evolving innovative delivery systems.

 

Specialised care for the disadvantaged : This includes mental health and hospice care.

 

Developing programme effectiveness : This is done by building organisational capacities and human resources through fellowships for specialised training.

 

Research in public health : This is done by lending support to research in specific diseases such as tuberculosis and cancer.

 

> Arts and culture

To invigorate institutions and work towards developing new audiences, the Trust concentrates its support in the following areas:

 

Energising traditional arts: This is done by lending support to institutions involved in giving a

fresh lease of life to traditional art and craft forms in India.

 

Supporting contemporary art forms : This is done in order to break new ground and actively develop the field.

Archives and preservation : Support through grants is given to institutions to maintain their artifacts and processes, and to archive their documents.

 

Research and education in the field : Support is given to institutions building knowledge of

indigenous cultural practices.

 

> Civil society and governance

The Trust focuses its grants in this sphere on the following areas :

 

Citizen interface with public systems: To encourage better governance by creating awareness of the quality of elected representatives, and by increasing scrutiny of the polling process.

 

Bringing professionalism to the third sector : Increasing the effectiveness of public voluntary efforts.

 

Building knowledge and awareness about non-profit sector governance: Towards supporting institutions in enhancing the capacities of panchayti-raj institutions, besides promotion of people’s participation in governance through the strengthening of panchayats.

 

Endowment grants

In order to sustain mission-driven institutions that are instruments for positive change, the Trust has developed and used endowments as a tool. Since 1997 the Trust has formulated a formal endowment strategy with well-set norms and clearly defined criteria that enable it to identical and appraise deserving institutions.

 

This is no formal procedure for application, but organisations with the following strengths are considered for endowments:

> The activities of the organisation should be closely integrated with the thematic areas of the Trust, and should have a satisfactory and mutually rewarding programme partnership with the Trust.

> The organisation should have an impact on society or be strategic in a sector of the field.

> The organisation should demonstrate staying power.

> The organisation should have an established tradition of collective leadership.

> The organisation should have a proven track record of being mission driven.

 

Small grants

Launched in 1998-99, these catters to the needs of small, welfare-oriented organisations, and those needing support to implement innovative ideas. Small organisations, with a life span of at least a year, expenditure not exceeding Rs. 2 million in the last financial year, and employing not more than 20 people, are eligible for these grants. Grant limits have been raised to a maximum of Rs. 0.5 million per year per grant.

 

Larger organisations can also apply for:

 

> Strategic planning and/or exercise:

> focused research activities:

 

> mainstreaming of innovations:

> setting up or strengthening of internal systems:

> project planning and appraisal:

 

Individual grants

The Trust also awards grants to individuals, largely for medical and educational purposes.

 

Medical

Grants are disbursed to patients requiring assistance towards treatment expenses. The financial aid given may be impart, or whole, depending on the merit of the case. Over the years the Trust has built links with specific departments of reputed hospitals to obtain recommendations for patients deserving financial assistance, an interacts with social workers at these hospitals to ensure appropriate selection and speedy processing. Currently, the Trust has linkages with 19 hospitals across India. The Trust sanctioned Rs. 59.55 million towards support for 1973 patients in 2002-03.

 

Education

The Trust supports individuals for higher education through:

 

Merit scholarships : These are for higher studies in India and are awarded to academically outstanding students, primarily for undergraduate professional courses in engineering and medicine. Awards are also given to scholars pursuing postgraduate courses in fine arts and literature, law, the social sciences, information technology, and education. Though the award of the Trust is on merit, the amount varies according to the family’s socio-economic standing. The programme begins in September each year.

 

Travel grants: These are used to provide part-travel assistance for individuals, particularly scholars, for postgraduate and doctoral courses, doctors from municipals and government hospitals, and professionals for mid-career programme, or to attend relevant and meaningful seminars and conferences.

 

During 2002-03 the Trust sanctioned Rs. 25.69 million as educational grants to 1,774 scholars.

 

Contact

The Secretary,

Sir Ratan Tata Trust,

Bombay House, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai – 400 001, India

Tel : +91 – 22 – 5665 8282, Fax: +91 – 22 – 5665 8013

E-mail : [email protected]

 

The J.N. Tata Endowment for the higher education of Indians, was established in 1892 by the founder, Jamsetji Tata. It is the first Tata benefaction in the field of education, and is perhaps the first of its kind in the whole of Asia. Annually the Endowment awards about 125 loan scholarships to Indian nationals who have graduated from an Indian university for postgraduate, Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies abroad in all fields, and irrespective of caste, creed or community.

 

In the 1880s when the country was under the administration of the Indian Civil Service manned entirely by Britishers, Jamsetji Tata being a staunch nationalist was perturbed that Indians were excluded from senior positions. Realising that it was necessary to make available the finest possible university education to talented young Indians, he started sending out from his own resources two graduates with outstanding academic records for higher studies in England. This was the genesis of the Endowment.

 

Applications for the loan scholarships are invited by the Endowment once a year, through advertisements in leading Indian newspapers on the first Saturday of December, for the following academic year. The application is to be made on a prescribed form which can be obtained from the Endowment administrative office from the first week of December to January 31. The application form is issued on payment of an application fee of Rs. 100. The amount should be sent by ‘money order’ only or be paid locally in cash. Complected applications should reach the Endowment’s office by February 15 of the year for which the scholarship is sought. The selec- tion process involves a personal interview in Mumbai by subject experts.

 

Contact:

J.N. Tata Endowment’s administrative office

Mulla House, 4th floor, 51 M.G. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust was established in 1932 by Dorabji Tata, the son ofJamsetji Tata and is one of the oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations in India. The Trust’s vision of constructive philanthropy has been sensitive to the fast growing needs of a developing nation and the work initiated by the Trust bears contemporary relevance.

 

The Trust broadly sanctions two types of grants :

 

> Institutional grants, under which come endowment grants, NGO grants and small grants.

> Individual grants, which are medical and education grants.

 

During 2003-04 the total disbursals made by the Trust was Rs 4423.90 lakh.

 

Institutional grants

 

Endowment grants

The Trust is known for promoting pioneering institutions of national importance. They include the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai; the Tata Memorial Centre for Cancer Research and Treatment, Mumbai; the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; the Tata Agricultural and Rural Training Centre for the Blind, Phase and the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai.

 

Over the last 15 years, it has helped in establishing the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust Centre for Research in tropical diseases at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, the J.R.D. Tata Eco technology Centre at Chennai and the National Institute of Advanced Studies at Bangalore.

 

NGO grants

The Trust makes grants to NGOs in five major sectors of social development. They include :

> Management of natural resources : The Trust has made a significant contribution in this sector by supporting projects related to water and water resources, land degradation and better methods of cultivating and harvesting crops. The significant grantees include the N.M. Sadguru, water and Development Foundation, Gujarat; the Samaj Pragati Sahayog, Madhya Pradesh; the himalayan Consortium for Himalayan Conservation, Uttaranchal and Prerana, kamataka.

> Livelihood : The Trust has backed several projects in the livelihood sector. The projects cover the plight of unorganised labourers, capacity building of grassroots groups, business development of a variety of people-based organisations among others.

 

The significant grantees include SHARE, Andhra Pradesh; the Pan-Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation, Uttaranchal; Nidan, Bihar; Dastakar Andhra, Andhra Pradesh and the DHAN Foundation, Tamil Nadu.

 

> Education : The Trust has supported several innovative initiative in the field of education, focusing on both children and adults – within and outside the formal education system.

 

The significant grantees include the Bharat Cyan Vigyan Samiti, New Delhi, Sandhaan, Rajasthan, New Delhi; the MV Foundation, Andhra Pradesh and Nalanda, Uttar Pradesh.

 

> Social development initiative : The social development initiatives covers a range of activities which include community development initiatives, human rights initiatives, family welfare, initiatives for the physically and mentally challenged, civil society initiatives, art and culture and relief.

 

The significant grantees include Ekiavya, Madhya Pradesh; the Childline India Foundation, Mumbai; the Centre for Social Justice, Gujarat; the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Gujarat; the Jan Sanskriti Theatre of the Oppressed, West Bengal; the Spastics Society of Karnataka, Kamataka and the Tata Relief Committee, Mumbai.

 

Before sanctioning a grant, the Trust assesses the project or the organisation on the parameters of innovation, timeliness, sustainability, value addition and promotion of linkages, geographical spread and felt needs of the community.

 

Small grants

The Trust also gives small / modest grants to organisations for starting new activities. The Trust believes that a grant, however small, given at a crucial time can make a great difference in impacting the lives of people and also enable the organisation to have more leverage with donor organisations.

 

Individual grants

The Trust gives merit and need based educational and medical grants to individuals. A total of Rs 404.89 lakh was disbursed as individual grants during 2003-2004.

> Medical : Financial help is extended to individuals for treatment of various diseases like cancer, heart ailments, kidney failure, neurological ailments, gynecological problems and respiratory ailments among others. Over the past four years, the total disbursals made by the Trust rose to Rs 266.59 lakh from Rs 100 lakh. There was an increase of 67 percent in the number of cases supported by the Trust.

> Education : The Trust also offers scholarships for higher education and travel grants for studying abroad as well as for attending conferences, presentation of papers for research and sports related activities. During 2003-04, the Trust disbursed Rs 138.30 lakh by way of education grants to nearly 534 applicants.

 

Besides the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, allied Trusts like J.R.D. Tata Trust disbursed around 2,200 scholarships aggregating to Rs 291.13 lakh for graduate level studies in various fields during the year of 2003-2004.

 

The allied Trusts

The allied Trusts are primarily smaller trusts and while some have specific mandates, the rest are broad-based in their approach to grant making. The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust administers the allied Trusts. A total of Rs 2239.10 lakh was disbursed through the Allied Trusts in the year 2003-2004.

 

> The Tata Social Welfare Trust, the R.D. Tata Trust, the Tata Education Trust, the J.R.D. Tata Trust, the J.R.D. Tata and Thelma Tata Trust [with a specific focus on women and children] and the Jamsetji Tata Trust focus on over all developmental issues.

> J.N. Tata Endowment : The first Trust established by Jamsetji Tata, in 1892 it provides scholarship loans to a large number of deserving individuals for pursuit of higher studies abroad. Over one hundred students are selected every year as J.N. Tata Scholars from all over India.

> Lady Tata Memorial Trust : Established by Sir Dorabji Tata in 1932 in memory of his wife, Lady Meherbai, who died of leukemia in 1930, the Trust spends four-fifths of its income on international research, and an International Advisory Committee, based in London which invites applications for awards for support for research on leukemia world-wide. The Trust also supports institutional research carried out by recognised

Indian institutions, research laboratories and leading scientific / medical centres doing research work in the

> Lady Meherbai Tata Education Trust: Set up in 1932, the Trust grants scholarships to young Indian women graduates of recognised Indian universities for pursuing higher studies abroad in the field of social work and public health.

 

Contact:

The secretary and chief accountant

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust

Bombay House, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400 001, India

Tel : +91-22-5665-8282, Fax: +91-22-2204-5427

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.tatatrusts.org/

The Reaching & Educating At-risk Children (REACH) India project seeks to attract out-of-school children to the classroom and concurrently enhance the quality of basic education so that it provides a real and valuable incentive for vulnerable children to continue in school. The project aims to achieve the dual goals by strengthening the capacity of Indian NGOs in selected urban and rural areas.

 

The REACH India initiative is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and complements the Government of India’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan or Universal Elementary Education (UEE) Programme.

 

Project Period and Coverage

REACH India is scheduled to run through till September 2007 and focuses on disadvantaged, vulnerable children both in rural and urban areas. The project will cover Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and parts of Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and North Kamataka.

 

Target Group

3 – 14 age group children at risk.

 

Type of Grants and Assistance

Project funded under the grant must support NGOs working to improve the access, enrollment and retention of vulnerable children in schools or preparing at-risk children for potential entry into the formal education system.

 

REACH India will provide two types of grants :

 

• Direct Service Delivery Grants : REACH India will provide funds and technical assistance to NGOs for direct delivery of educational service to vulnerable children in formal and alternative educational programmes.
• Capacity Building Support Grants: REACH India will provide funds to enable NGOs to mentor and support grassroots NGOs in providing basic education services to vulnerable children in formal and alternative educational programmes. Organisations receiving Capacity Building Supports Grants will help selected grassroots NGOs in a variety of ways :

(a) Strengthen the organisational and programmatic capabilities of the smaller, grassroots NGOs;

(b) Build networks of local and regional NGOs and through those networks build the capacity of local educational systems; and

(c) Provide sub-grants to the NGOs they are mentoring for direct service delivery.

Example of capacity building include programme and financial management, planning, community development, report writing, proposal writing, performance monitoring and educational services.

 

Eligibility Criteria to Receive Grant/Support

• Regn. With Govt. Society/Trust.
• FCRA.
• 3 years track record.
• Working experience with disadvantaged.
• Having working experience with minimum at least 10 lakh rupees budget per year for last 3 years etc.

 

How / When to Apply

Region wise applications are invited by REACH India H.Q. (On Invitation).

 

Any Other Important Information

NGOs of North Kamataka may approach selection process while in Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata selection of NGOs is almost completed. This is a project not program – which will be over by September 2007. (For Details Please See the Website)

 

Contact:

 

Postal Address

REACH India, 13 Palam Marg, 2nd and 3rd Floors, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi – 110057

Tel : 91-11.51662317-21, Fax: 91-11-51662322

Email: [email protected]. , Website: www.reachindia.org

 

Contact person

Mr. Dennis Gallagher, Chief of Party

Email: [email protected]