Mission Objectives and Guiding Principles

The National Foundation for India was set up as a non-profit charitable trust that would mobilize public opinion and generate resources for supporting development action. The founders recognized the right of every Indian to lead a life of dignity and self-respect in adjust and equitable society. They also recognized the need to improve the capacities of both individuals and communities to improve the quality of their lives and to enhance their ability to negotiate from a position of strength, a strength that would come from being educated, enjoying good health, and having the capacity to be engaged in productive work. In the last few decades, voluntary organizations and community groups have emerged as strategic players on the development scene. Many of them base their work on the emerging needs of the community. However, unlike other organizations that focus their efforts on sectoral programmes, the Foundation supports long-term development initiatives that arise out of the felt needs of the people. The Foundation recognizes that the process of development is as important as the outcome. Within the above-mentioned framework, the Foundation is committed to working towards a synergy of different inputs that are necessary for a people-centred development strategy.

 

(1) Gender Equity and Justice

NFI supports for the Urban and Rural poor to NGOs/VOs. The grant may be given to NGOs/ VOs either having FCRA or not depending upon the activity and source. The Programs for which grants may be given are the following:

 

PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY

Over the past few years the Gender Equity and Justice programme has been addressing the problem of discrimination against girl children, adolescent girls and women. Community-based interventions have been supported to address both visible and invisible forms of atrocities exploitation and discrimination.

 

The broad issues of concern of the Gender Equity and Justice programme are :

• Address decline in sex ratio.
• Discrimination against girl children and adolescent girls in the areas of health, education and opportunities for skill building.
• Women’s leadership participation in governance and entrepreneurship development.
• Institution building and capacity development of small grass-roots organizations.
• Issues of reproductive health with a focus on adolescent health.

 

Geographic Scope : Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chattisgarh.

 

Some Examples of sanctioned projects –

• The project focuses on ensuring the survival of, to ensure the survival of girl children. Safe motherhood, and economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for women. In the process of its interventions, NGO motivates adolescent groups to address gender issue.
• NGO works with traditional birth attendants (TBAs). They are used as change agents to ensure the survival of girl children. In the course of its intervention, NGO felt the need to communicate with the youth in order to bring about attitudinal changes and provide them with livelihood and life-skill opportunities. Now NGO is also running training and capacity-building programmes for the youth on livelihood skills.
• The grant support is towards improving the education and reproductive health status of adolescents among mamigalized sections of society (predominantly the Mushahar community) in Nawada. The project is also faying to create women’s awareness on legal and constitutional rights as well as provide training for economic development.
• Several schools have been identified which act as platforms in helping adolescents access information on reproductive and sexual health issues. Teachers are being trained to become counselors and to create a friendly and receptive environment in which adolescent issues can be effectively addressed.
• The project aims at improving the reproductive and sexual health concerns of women and adolescents. A women’s health fund will be initiated through which women and adolescents can access loans for their health needs. Youth resource and recreation centres will be formed. These will function as information centres in creating a common space for creative activities for young people at the village level.

etc.

 

(II) Public Affairs and Urban Governance

 

Programme Philosophy

The increasing gap between the growth of cities and the available civic services affects the quality of life of citizens, particularly those who are underprivileged and marginalized. The Public Affairs and Urban Governance programme of NFI supports work that can improve the quality of urban governance and civic life of ordinary people. The focus is on small townships and municipalities, since the government and the donors, due to their weak political presence, often neglect these entities.

 

Geographic Scope : Delhi, the National Capital Region, Kamataka and Rajasthan.

 

Some Example of : On-going Grants

• The project is being implemented in Mangalore and Udipi in the Dakshin Kannada region of Kamataka. The broad objective is to facilitate a consensual planning process at the ward level in selected wards of Mangalore and Udipi by involving citizens, civil society organizations, elected representatives, and the local government, as well as to document specific initiatives in the area of civic management.
• The objective of the project is to determine the downstream health impact of non-segregation and poor disposal of garbage on rag pickers as well as the impact on their productivity. The project is also aimed at finding better ways of solid waste disposal.
• This project seeks to address the issue of people’s transportation with a specific focus on rickshaw pullers. Rapid and uncontrolled urbanization along with poor planning has resulted in low quality of life for citizens. Hence, there is a need to look at alternative models of development. This project seeks to look at the problems of this poor community of rickshaw pullers who have been deprived of the benefits of all development policies. The idea is to establish a network of this group of rickshaw pullers by building their capacities and capabilities so that they are able to advocate for their rights with the local government and the state.

 

(Ill) Remedying Regional Imbalances

 

Programme Philosophy

The programme for the North East is committed to strengthening voluntary action for development and peace in the region. The Foundation recognizes that conflicts have hindered development in the region. It therefore supports initiatives that promote conflict resolution as well as undertake development work.

 

Geographic Scope : Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

Some Example of : On-going Grants

• The new voluntary organization, has started a primary school in Diyun in Changlong district to help children of the Chakma tribe a historically and politically disadvantaged people.
• ANT is working primarily with the women and youth of the Bodo community in the villages of Bongaigaon district in Assam. Their work is focused on improving livelihoods, education, and health. ANT helps women’s groups with design inputs and in the marketing of their finished products.

 

(IV) Development Communication

 

Programme Philosophy

The Development Communication programme uses the media in creative ways to promote the concerns of the marginalized. It also aims at developing communication initiatives that go hand in hand with the development interventions of the Foundation in its key theme areas of Gender Equity and Justice, Public Affairs and Urban Governance, and Remedying Regional imbalance.

 

The programme also seeks to shape the discourse on development based on the experiences of civic actors involved in bringing about social transformation.

 

Some Example :

Charkha is a communication initiative started by social activists with the following aims : to expand the space for social and development issues in the mainstream media through news reports, features, and edit articles; to train and establish a network of grass-roots journalists; and to impact communication skills to NGOs working on development issues. Currently there are five Charkhas running in different parts of the country – Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Karnataka.

• NFI sponsored a short film Random Voices from Kashmir by Dr. Parvez imarn. The film portrays the pain and desperation, the humanity and hope of the people of Kashmir. The sponsorship of the film was done through the initiative of Charkha, Delhi.

 

(V) Voluntarism and Philanthropy

 

Programme Philosophy

The programme aims to build bridges between the world of poverty and deprivation and world of privilege in terms of education and access to resources that could benefit the poor.

 

The NFI Internship Programme

The NFI Internship programme is now in its third year. This year 22 students were placed with around 16 NGOs spread across the country. A two-day orientation programme was held before and after the placements. A host of development professionals and activities interacted with the interns and counseled them regarding their internship.

 

Some Example of : Ongoing Small Grants

Support was given to make a documentary film to promote voluntarism among the youth in Maharashtra.

 

Core funding was given to enable RIM to coordinate its countrywide programme of voluntarism for social transformation. The volunteer is expected to catalyse local efforts for social change.

 

Support was given for bringing together youth from South Asia for a seminar on the ‘First South Asian Conference of Economics Students’ in Delhi. This conference brought together young scholars from academic institutions in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and India.

 

NFI supported MARG with a one-time grant for a legal literacy programme aimed at youth volunteers in Delhi.

 

(VI) Institution Building and Governance

 

Programme Philosophy

The aim is to enable NGOs to gain professional competence and promote democratic and egalitarian agendas internal to their organizations.

 

Some Example of : Ongoing Small Grants

• This grant was towards capacity building and strengthening smaller and relatively new NGOs in Rajasthan. COSAP’S attempt is to raise awareness and facilitate dialogue within the voluntary sector on issues of accountability, transparency, democratic values, equity and gender. They are also helping locate interns recruited from IIRM, Jaipur, IIFM, Bhopal, Indore Schol of Social work, Indore, XISS, Ranchi and Aravali Institute of Management, Jodhpur with small and newly formed NGOs.
• NFI’s support was towards capacity building for promotion of local governance in the context of social discrimination and exclusion of Harijans and women in five panchayats in Rajnagar block, Madhubani district of Bihar. The project activities include institutional support, capacity building and training of the staff and the community, self-help group empowerment, and promotion of a common platform for advocacy for Harijan self-rule.

 

(VII) NFI Awards for Partnership in Local Governance

This award was instituted to acknowledge the role of NGOs in strengthening Panchayati Raj institution to improve the lives of underprivileged sections of the society, especially women, through building partnerships between the government, the voluntary sector and the private sector, to document exemplary partnerships, to disseminate the leanings to encourage replication of such partnerships with required adaptation, and to provide support to help upscale such efforts.

 

Bharat Ratna C. subramaniam Fellowship for Community Leadership, Sustainable Livelihoods and Food Security.

The Fellowship was instituted in recognition of the late Shri C. Subramaniam’s seminal contribution to the areas of food security and sustainable livelihoods. Shri C. Subramaniam was also the guiding spirit behind NFI. The objectives of the Fellowship is to enhance the motivation and understanding of grass-roots voluntary sector workers and community leaders in the field of food security and sustainable livelihoods and to create a network of individuals and institutions to deepen the sector’s understanding of sustainable livelihood and food security issues.

 

For further details please contact :

 

National Foundation For India

Core 4A, India habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003

Ph.: 011-24641864/5, 24648490-92, Fax: 011-24641867

Email : [email protected] , Website: www.nfi.org.in

 

NABARD is an apex institution accredited with all matters concerning policy, planning and operations in the filed of credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas.

It promotes research in the fields of rural banking, agriculture and rural development.

NABARD operates throughout the country through its 28 Regional Offices and one Sub-office, located in the capitals of all the states/union territories. It has 336 District Offices across the country, one Sub-office at Port Blair and one special Cell at Srinagar. It also has 6 training establishments.

Financial Schemes of NABARD

Potential Schemes for NGOs

1. National Programme for Rural Industrialisation (NPRI)

The National Programme for Rural Industrialisation (NPRI) was launched with a mission to set up 100 rural clusters every year for the next five years to give a boost to rural industrialisation.

Objective of NPRI

Strengthening of existing clusters and development of new clusters in exceptional cases towards sustainable competitive advantage through technology upgradation/transfer, raw material access, skill development, managerial inputs and credit support, market support.

Role of VAs/NGOs

Tile identified NGOs will act as the nodal agency for implementing the project, its close rapport with them is very important particularly in identification, planning, monitoring and assessing the development of clusters from the artisans’ point of view.

NABARD also ensures involvement of banks and different Govt. departments in implementing

its programme.

2. District Rural Industries Project (DRIP)

NABARD has launched an integrated area-based credit intensification programme in collaboration with Government, Banks and other development agencies with district as a focus known as District Rural Industries Project (DRIP).

Objective : Creation of significant number of sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas through enhanced credit flow to RNFS with complementary financial and non-financial promotional support.

List of DRIP Districts Phase VII (2004 – 05)

Orissa – Sambalpur, M.P. – Vidisha, Balaghat, A.P. – Srikakulum, Chitoor, West Godawari, Gujarat – Bharuch, Raiasthan – Bikaner, Jodhpur, Maharashtra – Latur, Kamataka – Bellang, Shimoga, U.P. – Jaunpur, Bahraich, Farukabad, Tamil Nadu – Kanyakumari, Assam – , West Bengal – Murshidabad, Hoogly, Punjab –  , Haryana – Rewari, Kerala – Kozhikode, Himachal Pradesh -, Chattisgarh – Mahasmund, Jammu & Kashmir -, Uttranchal – Almora, Jharkhand -East Singhbhum, Bihar – Bhoj pur, Nalanda

Important Components /Strategies

>  Conduct of Detailed Potential Survey of the District.

>  Strategy meets at District & State level.

>  Sensitisation of the Functionaries of Project Partners – Govt /Banks/NGOs/VAs/DAs.

>  Goal Oriented Project Planning (GOPP) Workshop at the District Level.

>  Training of the officials of Primary Lending Institutions. (PLIs).

>  Preparation of DRIP Action Plan.

>  Dovetailing of DRIP Action Plan with Service Area Plans (SAPs) of Banks.

>  Adoption of Cluster Approach.

>  Awareness creation / skill upgradation amongst Entrepreneurs.

>  Technology Upgradation / Transfer.

>  Focus on implementation of Credit-linked Promotional Programmes through NGOs/ VAs/DAs.

>  Encouraging Credit Delivery Innovations.

>  Monitoring the progress closely through Project Coordination & Guidance Committees (PCGCs) at the district and state level.

Role of NGOs / VAs

1. Associating as Co-partners in achieving the goals set out under DRIP.
2. Taking up implementation of Credit-related Promotional Programmes viz., Training-cum-Production Centres (TPCs), Conduct of Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (REDPs), Setting up of Mother Units, Common Service Centres, Artisan Guilds, Assistance to Rural Women in Non – Farm Development (ARWIND), Marketing / Technology Development interventions, Rural Development Communications, Linking of Self Help Groups, etc.
3. Providing Escort Services to the potential entrepreneurs trained under REDPs.
4. Playing Catalytic role in boosting RNFS and propagating DRIP message.

 

3. Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme (REDP)

Introduction

Promotion of Non-Farm Sector in rural areas is one of the thrust areas of NABARD. Over the years, NABARD has evolved and experimented number of promotional programmes for development of Rural Non-Farm Sector. Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme (REDP) is one of the important NFS promotional programmes supported by NABARD for diversification of village industries with a focus on creating sustainable employment and income opportunities in a cost effective manner for the benefit of educated unemployed rural youth.

Objective

Developing entrepreneurial and activity-oriented skills among unemployed rural youth by assisting Voluntary Agencies (VAs)/Non-Govemmental Organisations (NGOs) /Development Agencies (DAs) with good track record to conduct REDP, for those willing to set up small/micro-enterprises.

Features

REDP comprises of 3 distinct phases, viz., pre-training, training and post-training phase. The success of the programme depends on the strict adherence to these phases.

Eligible Institutions

NABARD provides promotional assistance to capable agencies with good track record and professional competence to successfully implement REDPs. The agency should satisfy the following broad criteria:

1. It should be a legal entity. Its officials should not be the office bearers of any political party / or elected members of any legislative body.
2. It should have been working in rural areas, at least, for three years.
3. It should have necessary professional and organisational competence to plan, execute and monitor REDPs.
4. It should have exclusive trained and qualified trainer-cum-motivator as a permanent employee.
5. It should have the required minimum training infrastructure to conduct the programme effectively.
6. It should have good rapport with banks, local administration / people and possess grass-root level linkage.
7. It should be prepared to conduct REDPs in the approved manner so as to achieve good success rate.

Micro Finance Development Fund (MFDF)

A separate fund for promotion and development of Micro Finance sector in India was established in NABARD in April 2000 with a start-up-contribution of Rs. 1000 million. NABARD has further contributed Rs. 149 million from its operational surpluses during the last four years to the corpus.

Objectives

The broad objective of the Fund is to support development and expansion of financial services to the rural poor, particularly women and vulnerable sections bypassed by the formal financial system. The specific objectives include taking appropriate measures for scaling up SHG-Bank Linkage Programme and facilitating development of other players in the MF sector.

Activities to be supported

Broadly the following activities would be covered:

> Training SHGs / other Micro Finance Group / individuals.

> Inland training on MF approaches for staff of stakeholders including NGOs, MFIs, banks, NABARD, government personnel, etc.

> Support towards training and systems management.

> Supporting Self Help Promotion initiatives.

> Building an appropriate data base and supporting development of such a data base.

> Engagement of professionals.

> Action research, studies and documentation.

> Dissemination through different media and publication of MF literature.

> Building regulatory and supervisory mechanisms.

Eligible Institutions

Following types of structures, community based organisations and institutions as approved by the Board are eligible for support from the Fund:

> SHGs and other community based organizations.

> NGOs and Micro Finance Institutions.

> Self Regulatory Organisations (SROs) Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperatives and any other rural financial institutions.

> Training and Research Institutions.

Rural Non-Farm Sector Schemes (RNF)

(With gratitude from book published by NABARD – Patna Office)

Promotion of Rural Non – Farm Sector

NABARD recognizes promotion as an important function for expanding the choices available to rural entrepreneurs. The promotional strategy is recognized as a useful and essential adjunct to the core refinancing function of NABARD. Besides, it also provides opportunities to test different hypothesis to learn what works and what does not and also provides a forum for interacting with agencies having a shared commitment.

 

A large number of NGOs have realized the importance of income-generating activities for the rural poor and have diversified into enterprise promotion through training and savings and credit programmes through the groups. Many NGOs have been able to develop a close and enduring relationship with the rural people. These NGOs articulate the local people’s needs and aspirations and translate them into effective action plans and implement them with people’s active participation. As a strategy for development of rural micro enterprises, NABARD has, therefore, been involving NGOs/VAs and other development oriented organisations in its efforts to improve the access of rural micro-enterprises to credit and non-credit facilities and linkages.

The objective of NABARD’s promotional programmes is to generate or enhance opportunities for livelihood both in terms of income and employment in rural areas in a sustainable, demonstrative and cost-effective manner. The major promotional concepts evolved by NABARD and implemented in partnership with Voluntary Agengies (VAs), Developmental Agencies (DAs) over the last few years are :

> Training-cum-Production Centre (TPC).

> Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme (REDP).

> Training for / by Master Craftmen (TMC).

> Market-Oriented Training (MOT).

> Artisan Guilds (AG).

> Mother Unit.

> Common Service Centre (CSC).

> ARIEF.

> APRI.

> GOI scheme for IDRI.

-153

> SEMFEX II

> Assistance for Rural Women in Non-Farm Development (ARWIND).

> Assistance for Marketing of Non-Farm-products of rural women (MAHIMA).

• Flexible/Catalytic Approach.

Rural Non-Farm Sector (RNFS) Objective

> To be in constant touch with emerging needs for credit in rural areas for small industrial and service enterprises and respond adequately with financial packages to meet such needs both by way of refinance and direct finance.

> To promote in an experimental way rural entrepreneurship and enterprises in collaboration with promotional and developmental agencies sharing such a commitment.

> To introduce a bias in credit delivery and other promotional means in favour of women, weaker sections and resource poor regions.

> To bring about an awareness on environmental impact of rural credit projects.

> To disseminate NABARD’s experiences on financing Mid promoting RNFS, and

> To facilitate a policy environment conducive to the above objectives.

General Criteria / Conditions for Promotional Support

The promotional programmes are experimental in nature and intended for learning lessons on the suitability and reliability of different concepts. NABARD will, therefore be very selective in sanctioning such programmes. The promotional support would be provided by NABARD strictly on merits, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the feasibility of the project as well as the track record, commitment and capability of the NGO / VA / DA concerned.

Eligibly Institutions

The NGOs/VAs/DAs satisfying the following requirements would normally be considered eligible for promotional support.

> The organisation should be a legal entity;

> It should have been working in the rural area, at least, for three years;

> its accounts should have been audited regularly;

> It should not discriminate on the basis of religion, caste sex or race;

> its Office bearers should not be office bearers of any political party;

> It should have the professional competence to plan, manage, monitor and document the experiences in the implementation of the project.

Location

Generally, the NFS programmes should be implemented in ‘rural areas’ as defined in the NABARD Act, 1981 (i.e. area comprised in any village irrespective of population and also in any town, the population of which does not exceed 50,000)

Credit Linkage

All the promotional programmes are credit-linked i.e. the financial support provided by NABARD will have to be supplemented by bank loan. The NGOs/VAs/DAs should, therefore, involve the banks in the projects proposed to be implemented by them and indicate in the project proposal, the details of the credit tie-up being arranged (e.g. name of the bank, assistance proposed, whether consent, in principle, to support the proposal has been received from the bank, etc.)

Monitoring

NABARD lays emphasis on close and effective monitoring of the promotional projects. The implementing agency should ensure regular follow-up and monitoring with the necessary extension services to the beneficiaries to achieve the ultimate objective of the concerned promotional programme. The programmes will be monitored by a committee set up in consultation with the NABARD Regional Office concerned and through the submission of periodic monitoring reports by the implementing agency to NABARD in the prescribed formats.

Where to Apply ?

In Bihar the applications for NABARD’s assistance under the promotional programmes may be forwarded to the Chief General Manager NABARD, Regional office Maurya lok Complex ‘B’ Block, Dak Bunglow Road, P.B. No. 178 Patna-800 001 The applications shall contain all necessary details, information concerning the agency, proposed project, etc. on the lines indicated in Appendix In other states, NGOs/VAs should contact Regional Office of NABARD in their state.

Promotional / Developmental Programmes Under NFS

1. Training – cum – Production Centre (TPC)

1. Introduction

Training -cum-Production Centre were basically aimed at imparting training to the rural entrepreneurs in different aspects, such as technological development, quality control in market trends, financial and labour management, etc. to ensure emergence of the rural tiny manufacturers as successful entrepreneurs.

2. Target Group

(i) Rural youth with very limited formal education or technical skills (ii) Population of low income groups

(iii) Women     (iv) Tribals

3. Eligible Institutions

(i) Reputed Voluntary agencies      (ii) Charitable trust

(iii) Development undertaking of the government

(iv) Trusts sponsored by industrial groups

(v) Educational institutions with experience in vocational training.

4. Nature of Assistance

Cost of trainer, honorarium to guest speakers, rent for hall, boarding/lodging expenses, and stipend to trainees, quarters/dormitory for trainees, plant & machinery. Cash loss and other expenses for the first year may be borne by NABARD as a grant. Revolving fund assistance with moderate service charges.

5. Process

Survey to select the activities & product lines for training having an expanding market identification of potential entrepreneurs from the local areas.

Train them in particular craft/activity.

Coach them in related aspects, such as quality of finished product, marketing outlets, bookkeeping etc.

Supply the requisite kit to the trainees for setting up individual units of their own. Nursing of such units by the agencies for some time through assistance in the form of technical guidance, supply of raw material, marketing etc.

6. Structure of a proposal for seeking, grant assistance for TPC

1.    Introduction	Origin of the project / methodology.
2.    Background	Genesis of the Agency/background/experience/location / target group/success of previous programmes.
3.    Project area	Background of the area/location, facilities & potential available.
4.    Survey	If so, report thereof.
5.    Selection of activities	Justify the selection from long term marketability.
6.    Project profile	Appropriate project profile envisaging self sufficiency within 3 to 5 yrs.
7.    Investment	Minimum necessary investment in capital goods with focus on labour intensive mode of production.
8.    Operational results	Projected operational result for each year upto 5 years.
9.    Selection of trainees	Criteria duration of the course, incentive available.
10.  Training method	Source off acuity, course modules, involvement of DIC & Banks.
11.  Fundings	Details of funding, capital cost working, Capital recurring deficit for initial years.
12.   Implementation	Procurement of goods & Services, recruitment of staff, deployment of training, operation of TPC, follow up, monitoring & evaluation.
13.  Arrangement for continuation of the centre after “aid period’	To achieve viability self sufficiency after aid period.
14.  Benefits	Direct/indirect benefit i.e. impact of the project on quality of rural life.
15.  Monitoring Programmes	Supervision/monitoring mechanism of ongoing.

 

1. Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme (REDP)

1. Introduction

VAs/NGOs are provided grant assistance for conducting REDPs to motivate rural youth with certain basic skills to start income generating enterprises. The selected agency, apart from the tarring inputs, also concentrate in providing escort services and post training follow-up to help the trained prospective entrepreneurs to become an independent entrepreneur with his/her own manufacturing unit.

2. Target Group

Rural youth with certain basic skills of hand or technology.

3. Eligible Institutions

Voluntary / promotional Agencies.

4. Nature of Assistance

Cost of Training, i.e. salary to trainer, rent of venue, honorarium to guest speaker, boarding/lodging to trainers, stipend, cost of stationary, cost of post-training monitoring and other related expenses may be borne by NABARD as grant (more details given earlier)

III. Training of and by master craftsment

1. Introduction

For upgradation and refinement of technical skills of practicing artisans/craftsmen, the necessary training is given by master craftsmen to them in a traditional and informal style, i.e. “Guru-Sishya” way. Such training is also extended to master craftsmen themselves for upgradation of their skills and familiaring them with the latest designs and technologies appropriate to rural areas and emerging market trends in a specialised institution.

2. Target Group

(a) Small groups of rural artisans and craftsmen staying in the vicinity of master craftsment.

(b) master craftsmen.

3. Eligible Institutions

Voluntary agencies, public charitable trusts and organisations of government.

1. Market – Oriented Training (MOT) for Rural artisans

1. Concept / Objective

To impart specialized training to rural entrepreneurs to improve their production efficiency in terms of quality of the products and productivity as also for product diversification and for linking them with procurement / marketing agencies.

2. Strategy

Enable select organizations, having considerable experience in marketing rural products, to organize the training programme for rural entrepreneurs.

3. Eligible Institutions / Agencies

NGOs as also government promotional organizations and private agencies having experience in the marketing of rural industrial products or intending to take up such marketing or market development activities.

4. Eligible Items for Grant

Tools and equipments, stipend and other training costs including cost of creating common facilities, on a selective basis.

1. Semfex-ll

1. Introduction

The Directorate General, Resettlement, in collaboration with NABARD, has formulated Semfex – II scheme to provide gainful self-employment opportunities to ex-servicemen beneficiaries.

2. Target Group

(a) Ex-servicemen     (b) Disabled Service personnel

(c) War widows    (d) Windows of ex-servicemen

3. Purpose

To encourage ex-servicemen for setting up of village, cottage, tiny and small scale industries in rural areas.

4. Nature of Schemes

(a) Composite loan upto Rs. 2.00 lac.

(b) Integrated loan upto Rs. 15 lac.

(c) Construction of workshed upto 25% of the composite loan.

(d) Agro – industrial unit’s upto SSI limit on schematic basis.

(e) Soft loan assistance for margin money for all farm and non-farm activities except SRTO.

(f) Project formulation & consultancy charges.

(g) Financing of small road transport operators.

1. Artisan Guild
2. Introduction

It is an organisation of widely and thinly dispersed artisans to consolidate their bargaining power. It will also bring the artisans together and to inculcate in them a sense of self-help and mutual help to enable them to identical their business needs, problems faced by them and to bring out ways & means to overcome them. The active membership of a guild should not be less than fifty (50).

2. Target group

Unorganised and scattered artisans.

3. Sponsoring Institutions

(a) Reputed Voluntary organisation

(b) Promotional bodies of the Govt.

(c) Commercial Banks, Co-operative Bank & RRBs

(d) Corporate bodies

(e) Academic Institutions.

4. Nature of Assistance

(a) Grant of acquiring essential productive assets for common use as also managerial assistance.

(b) Maximum grant – Rs. 10.00 lakhs per guild.

(c) 100% refinance for loans in excess of grants on merit basis.

VII. Mother Unit

1. Introduction

A mother unit is an organisation which orients the production of several smaller units in accordance with the changing market preferences and help make the production economical through development of market oriented skills, bulk purchase of raw materials, improvement of products and productivity, quality control, common brand name, introduction of better technology, machines and tools, improving marketing arrangement, etc.

2. Target Group

(a) Small Enterprises

(b) Satellite Units

3. Eligible Institutions

(a) An association of producers

(b) A voluntary agency

4. Nature of Assistance

(a) Grant may be given by NABARD to voluntary agencies for a acquiring plant & machinery, mainly for imparting training, cost of erection of shed, cost of training to the entrepreneurs, quality control equipments and other related equipments etc.

(b) 100% refinance may be given upto Rs. 15.00 lakhs in respect of each satellite unit ancillary

VIII.  Common Service Centres

1. Introduction

The concept of common service centres has been introduced to improve the competitiveness and bargaining power of the cluster units through the establishment of a support system that facilitates their operations on an economic scale besides orienting their production and productivity in tune with the changing market preferences.

2. Eligible Agencies

(a) Voluntary Agencies

(b) Non-Governmental Organizations

(c) Registered Institutions

(d) A Co-operative Society Association of the Units

3. Types of Assistance

(A) Grant assistance is available to cover the following items.

(i) Preliminary /Pre-operative expenses including market survey.

(ii) Organisational/Administrative expenses including salary of one or two professionals for a limited period.

(iii) Expenses on design development and quality control.

(B) Loan assistance.

1. Agriculture and Rural Enterprises Incubation Fund (ARIF) Venture Capital Fund.
2. Introduction

The fund is introduced by NABARD as a special assistance with a view to encouraging entrepreneurs to adopt innovative ventures involving new technologies for any activity in farm and non-farm sectors in rural areas.

2. Objectives

(i) To finance innovative rural enterprises adopting appropriate technologies in farm and non-farm sectors.

(ii) To issue guarantees for the borrowing by voluntary agencies / NGOs’ providing support services including technology dissemination, marketing, input supply, credit, etc. to rural enterprises.

3. Eligible Institutions

(i) Any person or group of persons whether incorporated or not for incubation assistance.

(ii) All institution eligible for refinance from NABARD.

(iii) Voluntary Agencies/Non-Govermmental Organisations for issue of guarantees.

4. Mode of Assistance

Assistance from this fund may be granted –

(a) to provide refinance to banks.

(b) to provide direct incubation assistance to entrepreneurs to adopt innovative ventures in rural areas under Farm/Nor-Farm sectors.

(c) to issue guarantees to bank for the borrowing of VAs/NGOs supporting rural enterprises.

(d) in any other form as decided by NABARD from time to time.

5.   Service interest Charges	Pre Development Phase	Post Development Phase
(1) Direct Incubation Assistance	9%	14% (Export Oriented Unit) 15% (Other)
(2) Refinance
(1) NABARD to Bank	4.5% p.a.	9.5% p.a. for EOU 10.5% p.a. (others)
(2) Bank to Borrower	9% p.a.	14% p.a. for EOU 15% p.a. for other

6. Guarantee

(i) Maximum 90% of the principal amount.

(ii) A guarantee fee of half of 1% p.a. will be payable by VA/NGO.

1. Assistance to Rural Women in Non-Farm Development (ARWIND)

1. Introduction

The scheme is mainly to support economic activities in non-farm sector on cluster/group basis by rural women.

2. Mode of refinance

(a) Credit Component– Any reputed VA/Women Development Corporation, KVIC/KVIB institutions, any other recognised institutions may evolve scheme to organise rural women group for undertaking productive activities in non-farm sector and assist them in setting up their own units and provide other backward/forward linkage including training. A maximum loan of Rs. 5,000 per member or maximum Rs. 10.000 lakhs for a group of 20 may be given by any bank.

(b) Promotional component – Financial grant to a limited number of organisations may be considered for organising groups, supervision, sensitisation/training programme, skill development, etc.

3. Quantum of assistance

(a) 100% automatic refinance for loans upto Rs. 15.00 lakhs to women’s group.

(b) For loans more than Rs. 15.00 lakhs and upto SSI level, sanction of 100% refinance will be on schematic basis.

(c) If proposal involve both refinance as well as grant, the agency have to seek prior sanction from NABARD through the bank.

1. Area Plan Rural Instrialisation (APRI)

APRI is a potential linked block plan or area plan for financing the high potential rural industries through the banking system on a cluster/group/area approach basis. In this concept, the block/area is selected, industrial potential survey is conducted to identify and list out 4-5 predominant industrial activities having good potential for development. Then an action plan for 4/5 years is prepared and discussed with bankers and other developmental agencies. NABARD may consider extending its grants assistance to the Nodal Agency undertaking the APRI project. The assistance will be given for acquisition of common facilities, cost of training, technology transfer, skill up gradation, market research and development, brand name as well as for organisational and administrative costs for the initial period upto 5 years. Refinance rates under NFS in respect for APRI areas.

(i) All schemes other than schemes under pre sanction procedure – 100% refinance.

(ii) Schemes under the sanction procedure -75% refinance.

XII. Govt. of India Scheme for Intensive Development of Rural Industries

The Govt. of India, Ministry of Industry had launched a scheme for intensive development of rural industries envisaging setting up of industrial units with involvement of NGOs/VAs as nodal agency with financial assistance provided t)y way of grant by the Govt. of India and credit support from banks. Under the scheme, grant assistance of 10% of the total project outlay subject to a maximum of Rs. 25 lakhs is available to the selected NGOs, the remaining amount is to be provided as bank credit. The Govt. of India grant will be sanctioned and released to the NGOs, approved by the screening committee of GOI, Ministry of Industry, department of SSI and ARI through NABARD which is also entrusted with the responsibility of scrutiny and sanction of the project. The eligible items of grant assistance for formulation of project, training, marketing support, construction of common facility centre/design development centre, work sheds, purchase of tools and machinery etc. Some of the NGOs may like to formulate suitable project proposals and submit the same to our concerned Regional Office.

XIII. Assistance for marketing of non-farm products of rural women (Mahima)

Concept / objective

An exclusive scheme for extending credit and credit – linked promotional assistance to agencies dealing with marketing of non-farm products produced by rural women with a view to giving a fillip to their efforts for creating a ‘niche’ or ‘pro-women’ market.

Strategy

Under the scheme, 100% refinance upto Rs. 15 lakh will be granted to banks under Automatic Refinance Facility (ARF). Promotional, assistance in the form of grant of RFA will be provided by NABARD to the agencies towards meeting promotional needs and incubatory expenses in connection with provision of forward and backward linkages and other marketing services.

Implementing Agencies

VAs / NGOs, Registered Institutions including Co-operatives, Federations of Marketing Organisations and other organisations engaged in the business of marketing women’s products.

Assistance Available From NABARD

In addition to refinance assistance to banks against credit provided to the agencies, promotional – assistance, subject to a general ceiling of Rs. 2.5 lakhs or 25% of the minimum sale turnover, which ever is lower, will be provided to the Agencies, NABARD’s ‘Soft Loan Assistance for Margin money Scheme’ for entrepreneurs will also be open to the agencies availing of credit facilities from the banks under the scheme. Under the Margin Money Scheme, NABARD provides interest -free refinance to the banks to meet margin money requirements of the agencies for which banks could stipulate service charge of 3% p.a.

XIV. Flexible / Catalytic Approach

Concept / objective

The approach aims at promoting non-farm enterprises for creating sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas in a cost-effective manner through voluntary agencies with a proven track record in rural enterprise development and employment generation. Instead of suggesting to the implementing VA, a pre-defined concept and approach in all details, the programmes of the VA fitting into the broad objectives of NFS promotion of NABARD can be supported.

Strategy

The support will be for programmes to be implemented within a maximum period of five years aimed at facilitating establishment or modernization of rural non-farm enterprises. The programmes should lead to credit flow to enterprises through banks and thereby generate sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas in a cost effective manner.

Assistance available from NABARD

NABARD may provide refinance to banks for the credit component of the project. The grant support may cover expenses of the VA for providing production and marketing support, market information, technology transfer, supply of raw material, training and extension, etc. as also expenditure on salary and incidental expenditure of one or two professional recruited by the VA for implementing the project.

Other Relevant Aspects

The grant component will have a relationship with the number of rural employment opportunities generated on a sustainable basis and the quantum of bank credit required. The implementing agency shall contribute its share in any farm, including land, manpower, etc. at least, to the extent of 10% of the project cost.

Annexure – II

Application Format

The project proposals seeking assistance under NABARD’s promotional programmes shall contain essential details on the following aspects:

The Agency

1.1      Name and full address of the promotional agency

1.2      Names of promoters/Board of Directors / Trustees

1.3      Constitution

Copies of the following to be attached :

* Registration Certificate

* Bye-laws / Articles of Association

* Annual Report / Audited Balance Sheet / Income and Expenditure Accounts for the last three years.

1.4      Activities presently under taken by the agency and the area of operation

1.5      Whether in receipt of assistance (grant or loan) from any other agency, and if so, the details there of

1.6      Experience of the Agency in promoting income generation / employment / livelihood opportunities, imparting training, providing linkages, etc.

The projects details

2.1      Name of the project

2.2     Area proposed to be covered

2.3     Target group (SC/ST/Women/general) and number of persons to be covered.

2.4     System of identification of beneficiaries

2.5     Type of project [e.g. Training-cum-Production Centre (TPC) / Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme (REDP) / Mother Unit (MU) / Common Service Centre (CSC), etc.]

2.6     Activities to undertaken (The details with reference to type of project)

Financial Details

3.1      Project outlay (item / activity-wise break-up to be given)

3.2     Source of funds (item / activity-wise)

* Bank * NABARD   * Own Fund

4      Capacity of the Agency to implement the project (the existing/proposes infrastructure and manpower support, experience expertise and their adequacy to be indicated).

Tie – up with Banks

5.1      Estimate of the credit needs of target group

5.2     How is it proposed to be met

5.3      Sponsorship / association of banks – to be specified

5.4     Technical feasibility and financial viability/ bank ability of the individual unit with item-wise cash flow for the project period.

Follow-up / monitoring proposed

6.1     Constitution of Monitoring Committee

6.2     Holding of meetings

6.3     Provision of escort services

6.4     Submission of periodic progress reports in the prescribed preformed

Expected overall impact of the project – output indicators – years (be Quantified)

7.1     Flow of Credit

7.2     Employment generation

7.3     Incremental income

For More Details Please Contact Nearest NABARD Office in your District or Region or Write of Head Office

Presentation on Support to Voluntary Organizations

>  Scheme to promote voluntary action for persons with disabilities.

>  Scheme of assistance to disabled persons for purchase/fittings of Aids/Appliances(ADIP Scheme)

>  Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse.

>  Grant in aid Program for Assistance in the field of Social Defense.

>  Integrated Program for Street Children.

>  Integrated Program for Older Persons.

>  Assistance to Panchayati Raj Instts. Voluntary Organizations/Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/Multi Service Centers for Older Persons.

>  Scheme of Grant in aid to Voluntary Orgns. Working for the welfare of Scheduled Castes.

>  Scheme of Assistance to Vol. Oiganizations. Working for the welfare of Other Backward Classes.

>  Scheme of Pre-examination Coaching for the Other Backward Classes.

>  Scheme of Pre-examination Coaching for Weaker Sections based on economic criteria.

 

Who do we Assist

>  Body registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860.

>  Public Registered Trust.

>  Charitable Company licensed under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1958.

>  Indian Red Cross Society or its branches.

>  Other public institutions having a legal status.

 

Other Conditions of Eligibility

>  Body should be registered for at least two years at the time of applying for assistance.

>  Should have experience of working in the relevant field for two years.

>  Should not be running for profit to any individual or body of individuals.

>  Financial soundness and capacity to bear at least 10% of the budgeted expenditure.

 

What does the Ministry Offer

>  Ministry can assist with grant of upto 90% of the budgeted annual expenditure.

>  Budget can include expenditure on

  Rental     Other recurring expenditure     Expenditure on staff     Non recurring expenditure on equipment, furniture and fixtures etc.

 

Scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disability

Activities supported include

>  Awareness generation regarding prevention of disabilities and measures for rehabilitation of disabled persons and need for early interventions.

>  Education for the disabled.

>  Vocational training for the disabled.

>  Community based rehabilitation programs

 

Scheme for Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP)

Assistance is available for

>  Corrective surgery.

>  Fitment of assistive devices

>  Procurement of aids such as wheelchairs, tricycles, walking sticks, hearing aids etc.

>  Expenses for travel to hospital/camp for disabled persons and one helper.

>  Food expenses for hospital stay for 15 days.

 

Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance abuse

Assistance is available for

>  Counseling activities.

>  Running of De-addction center

>  Rehabilitation services for De-addicted persons.

 

Integrated Program for Older Persons

>  Old Age Homes

> Nutrition      >  Stay facilities      >  Medical care      >  Recreation facilities.

>  Day Care Centers

>  Mobile Medicare Units

 

Scheme for Development of Scheduled Castes

>  Education

>  Vocational training

>  Legal aid

>  Client services

>  Medical Units

>  Human rights issues

>  Environment related activities.

 

Welfare of other Backward Classes

>  Vocational training

>  Pre-examination coaching for competitive/entrance examinations for recruitment to services under the Central and State Governments, PSUs, Banks, Defense Forces and admission to technical, engineering, medical, agricultural, management courses etc.

 

Pre-Exam Coaching for Weaker Sections Based on Economic Criteria

>  Candidates belonging to minorities having a family income not exceeding Rs. 44500/- per annum can avail coaching.

>  Coaching can be availed for civil services examinations for Center and States, Professional courses etc.

>  Stipend available for students attending coaching classes.

>  Courses run by universities and institutions of repute supported. and admission to technical, engineering, medical, agricultural, management courses etc.

 

How to Apply

>  Application must be on prescribed format obtainable from Ministry or can be printed out from Ministry’s website on internet at – http://socialjustice.nic.in

>  Application must be accompanied by copy of audited accounts certified by CA for last two financial years, budget, annual report on NGO for last two years, list of beneficiaries.

>  Application must be submitted to State Govt. which should have the NGO inspected by its officers and forward the case with its recommendations to M/o SJ&E.

>  District Magistrates are also authorized to recommend applications to GOI. Minis by will avail State Govt.’s recommendations for one month. If not received it will proceed on DMs recommendations.

 

Procedure for Rescues of Grant

>  Issue of sanction letter indicating amount released, detailed breakup for various items and conditions of release.

>  Receipt of bond from NGO.

>  Dispatch of Demand Drafts.

>  Amounts sanctioned on annual basis is released in two installments.

>  First installment on ad-hoc basis.

>  Second installment only on recommendation of State Govt./designated authority and application accompanied by utilization certificate regarding past releases audited accounts, annual report etc.

 

Monitoring and Evaluation

>  Applications must be complete in all respects as many of the items enable monitoring of performance by the Ministry and form basis of future grants.

>  NGO must cooperate in inspection by Ministry & State officials.

>  Spl. audit of acct. may be ordered if necessary.

 

Action in case of Mis utilisation of Grants

>  Criminal and civil liability.

>  Recovery of misused grant as ALR.

>  Seizure of assets created with Ministry’s assistance.

>  Circulation of information to other bodies dealing with NGOs and blacklisting.

 

Contact Address: The Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001

INAFI (International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions) is a global network of development organisations active in support of savings and credit programmes of member organisations in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. INAFI believes in the alternative paradigm of promoting holistic development for poverty reduction through beyond microfinance programmes, using microfinance as a development instrument. INAFI – INDIA looks at microfmance as a means to larger end of development that is poverty reduction in all dimensions not just financial / economic aspects.

 

INAFI brings together the microfinance practitioners at three levels global, regional and local. The local denotes the country level networks being promoted now in the Asia region. INAFI -INDIA is the country chapter of INAFI network in India and incorporated as a Section 25 not-for-profit Company.

 

Mission

• To contribute to eradication of causes of poverty, through organising efficient microfinance services including savings, credit, insurance, capacity building and also business development services to the most depressed human groups, especially women, as a part of a support process for sustainable development.
• To promote innovations and diversity of microfinance services and products that is effective and responsive to client needs.
• To provide and influence the strategic direction of the industry by promoting best practices and for pro-poor policy support in furthering microfinance services.

 

Objectives

The two-fold objectives of INAFI – INDIA are :

1. Contribution to Members

• Member graduation through capacity building-perspectives, systems, structures.
• Product Development.
• Specific Member Services.
• Up scaling of microfinance operations-linkage with banks.
• Evolving a framework of standards – Beyond Financials.
• Self-Regulation with SRO framework.

 

1. Contribution to Microfinance Sector

• Capacity Building of Small NGOs
• Research & Development
• Policy Advocacy and Lobby
• Enabling legal and regulatory framework

 

Membership

INAFI – INDIA at present has a membership base of twelve with wider geographical representation. Network members are distinct from each other in terms of context, outreach, service delivery mechanisms and structure. Together the members have an outreach close to 6 lakhs clients.

Presently INAFI – INDIA members are :

• DHAN Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• MYRADA, Bangalore, Karnataka
• BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune, Maharashtra
• People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM), Berhampur, Orissa
• South Indian Federation of Fisherman Societies (SIFFS), Trivandrum, Kerala
• Grameen Development Services, (GDS) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, (KMVS) Bhuj, Gujarat
• Manavodaya, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• People Education Development Organisation (PEDO), Dungarpur, Rajasthan
• Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP), Krishnagiri, Tamilnadu
• Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), Hazaribag Jharkhand
• Agha Khan Rural Support Programmes (AKRSP), Ahmedabad, Gujarat

 

NICHE

 

• Self Regulation

Self- regulation has been chosen as a INAFI – INDIA method for regulating growth and development of microfinance programmes of the people institutions with order and quality. A framework of standards under three major indictors namely developmental, institutional, and financial have been evolved by the member organisations with a view to facilitate the people institutions promoted by them to practice the self-regulation.

 

• Asset Building

Asset Building programme of the network seeks to work with member organizations with a view to recognise the utmost importance of navigating the microfinance to wards building up of the assets for the clients in a manner that provides livelihood security, hedge against risk and income security.

• Debt Swap:

INAFI INDIA as a network tries to address the issue of high indebtedness of the poor owing to long exposure to usury. Banking on the experience of microfinance in effectively addressing this problem, INAFI – INDIA is endeavoring to promote and navigate microfinance with specific focus on this serious issue of poverty, in collaboration with mainstream financial institutions.

 

Core Activities

• Capacity Building : to enhance the effectiveness of member practitioners in alleviating poverty and expanding outreach.
• Microfinance Road show / Lateral Learning Programme.
• Specialized Training Sessions and Workshops
• Thematic National and International Seminars
• Resource publications

 

• Research and Development: to identify new products and services, and improve the efficacy of existing best practices.
• Mainstreaming Gender
• Social Impact Assessment and Indicators
• Action Research on Self-Regulation and Asset Building
• Micro Insurance
• Pricing Policies

 

• Policy Advocacy : To shape the policies of the sector to support demand – driven development initiatives, and to advocate INAFI’s dual vision sustainability and impact.

 

• Policy workshops •  Position Papers     •  Policy Research

 

Networking

To strengthen and support the growth and development of the sector; benchmarking for better quality and standards; providing platform for sharing experiences and bringing new knowledge and innovations; enabling linkages with mainstream financial institutions and forging partnerships; building alliances with international Microfinance Networks and Global financial Institutions / Donor Agencies.

 

Contact:

 

INAFI-INDIA

International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions – INDIA

(Incorporated as Section 25 not-for-profit Company of Companies Act, 1956)

25-A, Bharathi 5th Street, S.S. Colony, Madurai – 625 010; Tamilnadu

Tel: 91-452-2300490, Fax: 91-452-2602247

Email: [email protected]

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 :

1. Youth Motivation
2. Fellowship
3. 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:

1. Children’s Medical Aid (Up to 16 years)
2. 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]

The HUDCO was established in 1970 as a sectoral institution for comprehensively dealing with the problems of growing housing shortages, rising number of slums and for fulfilling the pressing needs of the economically weaker sections.

 

Potential Schemes for NGOs

 

1. NIGHT SHELTER FOR URBAN SHELTERLESS

The Government of India and HUDCO have introduced a scheme of providing Night Shelters for pavement dwellers and thereby improving the living conditions of the pavement dwellers.

 

Components :

> Community night shelters with community toilets and baths which could be used as Health care centre, training centres, adult education centres during day time…

> Community Pay and Use toilets/baths for homeless.

 

Implementing agency:

> NGOs, CBOs, Charitable institutions, Municipal bodies, local bodies, PSUs etc.

 

Funding:

> Central Subsidy : 50% of construction cost with ceiling of Rs. 2000 per bed and the balance to be mart by either by loan or state share.

> Land to be provided by the State.

> No ceiling on loan component.

 

2. VALMIKI AMBEDKAR MILAN BASTI AWAS YOJNA (VAMBAY)

Objectives : to provide shelter & upgrade the existing shelter for BPL families in urban slums.

Subsidy : 50% of unit cost.

Target Group : All Slum dwellers in urban areas who do not posses adequate shelter. Cities where population of the urban poor is high in slums (to be given by states)

 

Reservation :

> SC/ST 5 0%, BC 3 0% Preference 3 5 metro cities (having population> I million)

> Preference to women headed household.

Identification of Beneficiaries : Identification of BPL beneficiaries will be on the basis of the baseline studies already conduct under SJSRY.

 

Allotment of House:

> In the name of the female member of the household or in joint name.

> Land provided by state Govt. either in situ, party in situ or by relocation.

> Title of lane (will be in the name of selected beneficiary (preferably women))

> Till the repayment of loan, land will be mortgaged to Govt./implementing agency.

 

Upper financial limit – Max. Rs. 40000/- including sanitary latrine.

Minimum plinth area – 15 sqm.

 

Funding Pattern

> GOI will release subsidy on a I: I basis with loan.

> ROI – will be of EWS (latest interest rates of EWS will be applicable).

> HUDCO will release subsidy and the loan to SUDAIDUDA or identified agency… HUDCO will release its grant components only after the state share of 50% is deposited in the account of identified agencies.

> No provision is made for land acquisition.

 

Involvement of beneficiaries

> The beneficiaries should be involved in the construction of the house, No contract will be involved.

> Appropriate construction technology & local material should be used. Hudeo will not release any loan/grant unless such technologies are used.

> Plinth area of the new house should not be less than 15 sqm. Implementing would be dovetailed with SJSRY and NSDP

> V AMBAY Projects will be sanctioned only in approved layout with assured infrastructure facilities. Drinking water supply should be ensured.

> Implementing agencies should have a complete inventory of houses constructed/ upgraded. The monitoring of the programme will be the responsibility of State Level Co-ordinating Committtee (SLCC).

> Transparency in the implementation of VAMBA Y at various levels.

 

3. NIRMAL BHARAT ABHIYAN AN YOJANA

 

Target Group:

> All BPL slum dwellers in urban areas who do not posses adequate sanitation facilities. Scheme normally conceived as part of VAMBAY.

 

Funding:

> Rs. 14000 per toilet seat.

> Balance amount could be HUDCO loan or supplemented by local authorities, community contribution, assistance from NGOs.

> Funds available from SJSRY under Wage-employment programme, NSDP funds could be utilised under this scheme.

 

Community toilet:

> Average cost per seat is Rs. 40,000/- and retrofitting costs Rs. 15000-20000.

> A 10 seater toilet block will require 40-50 sqm costing Rs. 4 Lakhs.

 

4. BACKWARD DISTRICTS INITIATIVE – RASHTRIYA SAM VIKAS YOJNA

The Backward District Initiative under the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana has been initiated with the main objective of putting in place programmes and policies which would remove barriers to growth, accelerate the development process and improve the quality of life of the people.

 

The main objectives of the scheme are to address the problems of low agricultural productivity, unemployment, and to fill critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure.

 

Main Features

> A sum of Rs. 15.00 crore per year will be provided to each of the districts for a period of three years i.e. a total of Rs. 45.00 crore per district. Funds will be released to the State Governments on 100% grant basis in suitable instalments linked with the satisfactory progress of the District Plan.

> PRIs, NGOs and Self Help Groups may also be involved in awareness and capacity building, training, etc. and about two percent of the funds could be utilised for such schemes.

> For availing of assistance under the Scheme, a three-year Master Plan is to be prepared for each district.

> Special focus may be given to the following sectors:

> Land and water management including check dams, revitalization of traditional water structures, small lift irrigation projects, mini diversion weirs, etc.

> Health infrastructure particularly strengthening of ANM/Anganwadi centres and provision of facilities for institutional deliveries.

> Education infrastructure.

> Augmentation of infrastructure for vocational training to upgrade economically relevant skills such as repairs of electrical goods, plumbing, small fabrication,  motor cycle/pump repairs, etc. as per the emerging demands in the market as well as local artisan skills in handlooms, sericulture, bee keeping, pottery, woodwork, toy making and other traditional disciplines, etc.

 

List of Districts

Andhra Pradesh:	Adilabad, Warangal, Chittor, Mahblibnagar, Vizianagaram, Karimnagar, Khammarn, Medak, Nalgonda, Panchmahals.
Gujarat:	Dangs, Dohad, Panchmahals.
Jharkhand:	Lohardaga, Gumla, Sirndega, Saraikela, Singhbhum West, Goddha, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Chatra, Garhwa, Ranchi, Latehar, Giridhi, Koderma, Bokaro, Dhanbad.
Kerala:	Palakkad, Wynad.
Chkatisgarh:	Bastar, Dantewada, Kankar, Bilaspur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj.
Haryana:	Sirsa.
Karnataka:	Gulbarga, Bidar, Chitradurga, Davangere.
Madbya Prades:	Mandia, Barwani, West Nimar, Seoni, Shahdol, Umaria, Balaghat, Satna, Siddhi, Dindori.
Maharashtra:	Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Hingoli, Nanded, Dhule, Nandurbar, Ahmednagar.
Punjab:	Hoshiarpur.
Tamilnadu:	Triruvannamala, Dindigul, Cuddalore, Naggapattinam, Sivagangai.
West Bengal :	Purulia, 24 South Paraganas, Jalpaiguri, Midnapur West, South Dmajpur, Bankura, Nortli Dinajpur, Birbhum.
Uttar Pradesh:	Sonbhadra, Raehareli, Unnao, Sitapur, Hardoi, Banda, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, Barabanki, Mirzapur, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Lalitpur, Jaunpur, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Mahoba, Kaushambi, Azamgarh, Pratapgarh.
Rajasthan :	Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar.
Bihar :	Aurangabad, Gaya, Jehanabad, Rohtas, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur, Kaimur.
Assam :	Kokrajhar, North lakhimpur, Karbi Anglong, Dhemaji, North Cachar Hills.
Himachal Pradesh :	Chamba, Sirmaur.
Manipur:	Tamenlong.
Mizoram:	Lawngtiai.
Sikkim:	Sikkim.
Uttaranchal :	Chai-npavat, Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli, Chandauli.
Arunachal Pradesh:	Upper Subansiri.
Jammu & Kashmir :	Doda, Kupwara, Poonch.
Meghalaya :	West Garo Hills.
Nagaland:	Mon.
Tripura:	Dhalai.

 

Credit sum Subsidy Scheme (Subject to confirmation from HUDCO)

> Upper limit of Construction assistance Subsidy/Loan : Subsidy ceil ling: Rs. 10,000/- household. Maximum Loan permissible: Rs. 40,000/ household

> Target group : Rural households with annual income up to Rs. 32000. 60% of funds allocated to each state to be utilised for SC, ST and freed bonded labourers.

> Target area : Solely rural areas at least 20 kms away from metropolitan and large towns or 5 kms away from small and medium towns.

> Identification Agency : Sole prerogative of the States.

> Implementation Agency: Housing Board, Housing Corporation, specified Scheduled Commercial Bank, Housing Finance Institution or the DRDAs/ZPs as decided by the State Government.

> Criteteria of Allocation : Subsidy element of Credit-cum-subdily scheme will be shared on 75:25 basis between Centre and the States. The criteria of allocation of funds under the scheme to the State shall be both poverty ratio as determined by the planning commission and the housing shortage. The proportion of two variables shall be 50:50. The allocation of funds will be decided by the state govt.

> Monitoring : Ministry of Rural Development is responsible for overall monitoring of scheme. State Govt. should submit the monthly progress reports and a detailed annual progress report to the Ministry.

 

Corporate Office

 

Dr. PS Ratio, CMD

HUDCO Bhawan, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 Tel : 24649610 – 27 (18 lines). After Office hours : 24648193 – 95, Telex : 031-61037 HUDCO IN Gram : HUDCO, Fax : (011) 24625308

Voice Mail : 24648160-63-64, E-mail : mailto:[email protected]

 

Research & Training Office

Shri Rajan Kumar, Executive Director

Human Settlement Management Institute, HUDCO House, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 Tel : 24699534,

24368418, Fax: (011)24365292, E-mail : [email protected]

 

it has three local head offices at Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata; one zonal office at Guwahati; Nine development offices at Aizwal, Agartala, Goa, Imphal, Itanagar, Kokrajhar, Pondicherry, Port Blair and Shilong; Fifteen regional offices at Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Jaipur,  Jammu, Kohima, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Ranchi and Thiruvananthapuram.

1.	Name of the Support Organisation	Help Age India
2.	Mission (Objective) Statement	To provide care and services to poor destitute elderly all over India.
3.	Postal Address	Help Age India, C-14, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016
4.	Address of Branch/Contact Persons in India (If Any)	29 Regional offices (check them at website)
5.	Fax Number	011-26852916
6.	E-mail ID	[email protected]
7.	Website:	www.helpageindia.org
8.	Contact Person	The Chief Executive
9.	Geographical Area of Operation in India	Whole India
10.	Target Group	Person above age of 60 years
11.	Types of Support Provided to NGOs / Name of the Programs Supported in India	Eye Care, Medical Care, Adopt a gran (Sponsorship), General Progm-Microcredit,  Equipment grant, Construction of old age home
12.	Illegibility Criteria to Receive Grant / Support	Registered as Society or Trust, Subscribe to Credibility Alliance Standards, Rating by Help age Staff.
13.	How / When to Apply	Throughout the year/grants are made every quarter
14.	Any Other Important Information	No Format application. Application to be recommended by the Regional office of Help age India

Some Information from the Website

Help Age India is working for the cause and care of Older Persons, with the ultimate aim of empowering them to take decisions pertaining to their own lives.

 

From Welfare to Development

Over the years Help Age India has changed its orientation from implementing welfare projects to those that focus on development. It now lays stress on income-generation and micro-credit projects that enable the participation .of Older Persons in the mainstream of society.

Help Age India is

• A registered national level voluntary organization.
• A secular, apolitical, non-profit and a non-governmental organization.
• Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in 1978.

 

Historical Background

Formed in 1978 with active help from Mr. Cecil Jackson Cole, founder member of Help the Aged in United Kingdom.

 

Aims & Objectives

• To foster the welfare of the aged in India especially the needy aged.
• To raise funds for projects which assist the elderly irrespective of cast or creed.
• To create in the younger generation and in society a social awareness about the problems of the elderly in India today.

 

Advocacy

• Help Age India maintains active liaison with both the Central and State Governments for advocating the cause of the elderly.
• Help Age India is a member of the National Council of Older Persons in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is represented at the Working Committee of National Council.
• The organisation has also been represented on the Working Group for recommending Government thrusts and policies for the Eight and Ninth Five year Plans.
• It has successfully pressed for travel and tax concessions and other benefits for the elderly.

 

International Connections

• Help Age India is one of the founding members of Help Age International, a high profile body having 51 member countries representing the cause of the elderly at the United Nations.
• It has received a special testimonial from the United Nations for “Dedicated service in support of the United Nations Programme on Ageing”.
• Help Age India is also a full member of the International Federation on Ageing.

 

Ageing Scenario

A silent revolution has occurred in the last 100 years – unseen, unheard, and yet so close. The biggest achievement of the century is longevity. All over the world life expectancy has risen, leading to a sharp rise in the number of Older Persons.

 

The Indian Scenario

In India life expectancy has gone up from 20 years in the beginning of the 20th century to 62 years today: Better medical care and low fertility have made the elderly the fastest growing section of society.

 

In India:

• 90% of older persons are from the unorganized sector, with no social security at the age of 60.
• 30% of older persons live below the poverty line, and another 33% just marginally over it.
• D 80% live in rural areas.
• 73% are illiterate, and can only be engaged in physical labor.
• D 55% of women over 60 are widows, many of them with no support whatsoever.
• There are nearly 200,000 centenarians in India.
• Here are some key aspects of ageing.

 

What is Ageing ?

An irreversible biological phenomenon D Survival of a growing number of people completing their traditional adult roles.

 

Who are the Aged ?

Persons above sixty years of age are classified as aged persons

 

Programs

In the 25 years of its existence, Help Age has made a difference in the lives of millions of older persons. Help Age India’s programs focus on improved access to health and eye care facilities, community-based services, livelihood support, and training. In addition, the organization also supports welfare programmes like old age homes and day care centres and the adopt-A-Grandparent scheme.

 

Help Age India runs and supports the following Service Projects :

Ophthalmic Care: Help Age India conducts screening camps all over the country to detect eye diseases and subsequently organizes surgery where required with help from reputed eye hospitals. In the year 2003 – 04, Help Age India supported over 40,000 free cataract operations.

 

Mobile Medicare Units (MMU’s) : 55 of Help Age India’s MMUs criss-cross the country in an effort to provide healthcare at the doorsteps of needy older persons in rural areas and urban slums where health care facilities are not easily accessible. Each van visits two spots in a day and 10 spots every week.

 

Income Generation Schemes : Aiming to make older people self-reliant Help Age India has implemented income generation schemes, and helped restore dignity in the lives of many older persons.

 

Day Care Centers : 98 day care centres across the country have been supported by Help Age India. These are centres where older people can congregate and spend time with others of their age and background. Some centres also run income – generation schemes.

 

Adopt-A-Oran: Under this unique project, Help Age India links sponsors to destitute older people who have no form of support. 16,875 persons have been adopted under the AAG programme.

 

Homes for the Aged : For those who have fallen through the family net, Help Age India supported old age homes are a blessing in disguise. Help Age supports 194 old age homes.

 

Disaster Mitigation : The super cyclone in Orissa, the earthquake in Bhuj and the war in Kargil – whatever the situation Help Age was quick to act to provide relief to those affected by the disasters.

 

Advocacy: Acting as the voice of the aged, Help Age India constantly lobbies with governments and pressure groups to bring about policies benfitting older persons.

 

Cancer: One of Help Age’s focus areas, the organization provides support for early detection, provides infrastructure to hospitals, and promotes palliative care for patients.

 

Aizheimer’s Disease : Help Age has started a campaign for caregivers in the form of educational programmes, support groups for care givers and counseling for family members of Aizheimer’s patients.

 

Network, HEAD OFFICE
New Delhi

REGIONAL OFFICES
Mumbai
Kolkata
Chennai
Chandigarh
Lucknow

CITY OFFICES
Ahmedabad
Allahabad
Arnritsar
Bangalore
Baroda
Batala
Bhadohi
Bhopal
Bhubaneshwar
Bhuj
Bikaner
Coimbatore
Dehradun
Ernakulam
Goa
Guwahati
Hyderabad
Indore
Jaipur
Jallandhar
Jammu
Kanpur
Madurai
Mathura
Nagpur
Patna
Pune
Rourkela
Thiruvananthapuram
Varanasi
Vishakapatnam

 

Address:

The Chief Executive, Help Age India

C-14 Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016

Tel : +91-11-51688955-59, 26966641, Fax : 91-11-26852916

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

 

Help Age India has 37 offices all over India. Click at the website to locate an office in your cities

Note : The NGO/VO applying for support should have specific experience in working with Elders and have “Age Care” as a part of their agenda.

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF Family, completed 10 years of successful operation in 2002. SGP has emphasised partnership and democracy, synergy through gender and indigenous peoples, geographical distribution, replication and sustainability. The program has also directed efforts at having an impact on national policies and donor agendas by increasing awareness of global environmental issues and communicating lessons learnt, including best practices from community based experiences. Small amount of funding makes a big difference to the livelihoods of communities and environment. UNDP GEF-SGP is currently in 70 courtiers worldwide. In India GEF has become the permanent public face in NGO and CBO fraternity. The programme started in India since 1996. Small Grants Programme (SGP) is administered by the UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India (GOI). It is being implemented in India by Centre for Environment Education (CEE) as the National Host Institution (NHI) since Sept. 2000. CEE is a national level institution supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India as a centre of excellence, and affiliated to the Nehru Foundation for Development, Ahmedabad.

 

Thematic Areas

The development goal of GEF SGP is to secure global environment benefits in the areas as mentioned below. It supports organizations to address issues through community based initiatives and actions in a transparent, participatory, decentralised, democratic and country-driven approach in the GEF thematic areas of:

 

Biodiversity Conservation : One of the most striking findings of the evaluation is the high degree of fit between the services and benefits provided by the SGP and the current priorities and needs in an extra ordinary variety of country context which the program operates.

Under Biodiversity Conservation theme the projects will be supported that address to promote the conservation, management and sustainable use of biodiversity in eco systems (including arid and semi-arid, coastal, marine and freshwater ecosystems, forest and mountain ecosystems, etc.) species and genetic resources their sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arising from such use.

 

Climate Change mitigation : Projects will contribute to removing the cultural, institutional, technical and economic barriers to energy conservation and energy efficiency and to promote the adoption of renewable energy by optimising implementation costs. Promoting sustainable transport systems.

 

Protection of International Waters: Projects involving communities proximate to threatened water bodies and Tran boundary threats to their ecosystems. Priority is placed on the prevention and control of ecological degradation of critical habitats (such as wetlands, shallow waters, and reefs), of unsustainable use of marine resources resulting from over-fishing, excessive withdrawal of fresh water, and resource extraction.

 

Prevention of Land degradation : These projects involve the integrated land resource management with an emphasis on issues relating to desertification, deforestation, and loss of soil fertility and enhanced livelihoods.

Phasing out of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) : The potential eligible activities under this focal area include community initiatives to eliminate the causes of land and marine-based sources of pollution, particularly nutrients, chemical wastes & pesticides and industrial waste dumping by promoting reuse, recycling and effective management.

 

Criterion for Financial support

• SGP supports action based, participatory process approach focused programs, which;
• Promote innovative community based projects to reduce local environmental threats.
• Build local capacity to implement sustainable development strategies, creating local ownerships and institutional capabilities’.
• Demonstrate high reliability, co-financing and scaling-up potential.
• Foster public awareness on environmental issues as an integral part of the project.
• Address livelihood, equality and gender concerns and sensitivities.
• Create influence on policies at the National, State, District levels.
• Generate people’s participation in planning, implementing and monitoring of projects.
• Focus on flexible responsive and decentralised ways of working.

 

SGP will normally consider grants up to Rs. 15 lakh for each project; In special cases, where co-financing and partnership commitments are more, higher budgets may be considered, if the project activities justify.

 

Time period for executing project

The duration of the project may vary between 18 to 24 months.

 

Who can submit a proposal ?

• Non Government Organisations (NGOs).
• Community Based organizations CBOs).
• The organizations should be registered for at least three years. Organisations and projects will be given preference to the extent that they involve :
• Women as equal partners in programme implementation.
• Marginalised population and isolated tribal communities.
• Networking and co-financing through partner organizations.
• Encourage sustainability and demonstrate participation, democracy, leverage financial resources, community contribution, flexibility, partnership and transparency in their approach during implementation.

 

The following are required to be sent along with the proposal.

• Annual Report, Indicative of the activities performed during the year, contributions from partners and village communities.
• Copy of the Registration Certificate.
• Organisation Structure, list of key professionals/staff and their responsibility areas.
• Audited financial report for last 3 years.
• Demonstrated capacity in implementation and management of resources.

 

Participation

• Contact one of the CEE Regional Cells/National coordinator office/Website to get details and submit a ‘concept paper’, (www.sgpindia.org)
• Based on feedback of the concept paper, organisations submit a detailed proposal in the prescribed format, (www.sgpindia.org)
• All Proposals are placed before Regional Committees for their consideration.
• Proposals, processed on the basis of the feedback of the Regional Committees, are placed for approval to the National Steering Committee (NSC) of SGP by the National Coordinator SGP.
• Decisions of the NSC are communicated to the participating organisations.

 

Project Selection & Monitoring Process

CEE has its presence in all the States and Union Territories of India through a local network of 7 Regional Offices and 23 Field Offices across the country. CEE is currently implementing more than 140 different projects with a direct outreach to more than 450 villages and a population of 3,25,000 people. In SGP the emphasis is more on establishing low cost, less external inputs and easy to manage technologies by the local communities. It also encourages to create better credibility and creativity to sustain a progressive role in environment policy making.

SGP takes pride in decentralized, unbiased decision making processes about grant awards under the strategic direction of a voluntary national steering committee in India.

India SGP programme manages 3% of total world-wide projects with 1% of total resource allocation and nearly equal co-financing in cash and kind from multiple source.

 

Where can NGOs/CBOs go for information

 

CEE Central

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, CEE Central, Flat No. 10, Garden Estate, 167/1, 168/1, New DP Road, City International School, Aundh, Pune Tel/Fax : 020 25887009, email : [email protected]  (For Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Goa)

 

CEE South

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, CEE South, Kamala Mansion, 143, Infantry Road. Bangalore – 560001, Td : 080 22869094, Fax : 080 22868209, email : [email protected]  (For Andhra Pradesh, Kamataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondichery, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep)

 

CEE North

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, CEE North, Centre for Environment Education 19/323, Indira Nagar, Lucknow-226016, U.P. Tel : 0522 2716570, Fax : 0522 2716628, email : [email protected]  (For Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttaranchal)

 

CEE North-East

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, CEE North-east, Chenikuthi, K.K. Bhatta Road Guwahati – 781003, Tel : 0361 2667382, 2516382, 2515722, Fax : 0361 2514914, email : [email protected]

[email protected]   (For Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)

 

CEE West

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, CEE West, Centre for Environment Education, Thaltej Tekra, Ahmedabad – 380054 Tel: 079 26858002-09, Fax: 079 26858010, email : [email protected] , [email protected]

(For Gujarat, Rajasthan, Daman & Diu and Dadra Nagar haveli)

 

CEE Bhubaneshwar

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, A-5, I st Floor, Baramunda, HIG Colony -751003 Tel : 067 42551344, email : [email protected] (For Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand)

 

CEE Delhi

Coordinator/Office-in-charge, B-73, II Floor, Soami Nagar (N), New Delhi-110017 Tel : 011 26497051,49 Fax: 011 26497041, email: [email protected] , [email protected] (For Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh)

 

Or Contact

National Coordinator

UNDP GEF/CCF Small Grants Programme, CEE Delhi, B-73, Soami Nagar (N), New Delhi – 110017,

Tel : 011 26497051,26497049, Fax: 011 26497041, email : [email protected] , [email protected]

[email protected]