NGO Consultant
Odisha NGO Consultancy Services
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Training Programme on Fund Raising through Grants: Writing Winning Proposal 9-10 July 2013
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Small Grants Programme (SGP) by Global Environment Facility (GEF) Through United Nations Development Programme
Small Grants Programme (SGP)
Up to $ 50,000 - Funded by GEF as a corporate programme, SGP is
implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF partnership, and is executed by the United Nations
Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The SGP supports non-governmental and
community organizations, providing small grants for community-based projects in
the GEF focal areas.
With presence in 126 developing countries and having provided more than
14,500 grants worldwide by 2012, GEF SGP’s cumulative experience and results
have demonstrated that supporting communities in their efforts to achieve more
sustainable livelihoods is not only possible, but necessary for achieving
global environmental benefits. To know more about SGP and how potential
grantees can apply for a grant, visit the SGP page.
Last date- 31July
2013.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Clarification on FCRA
VANI India like to inform you that thay got a reply from the ministry of
home affairs about a question related to change of the address of FCRA
registered NGOs. The answers thay got from FCRA department of home ministry,
i.e., a scanned copy of the letter of ministry are below.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Cisco Impact Cash Grant Programs
Global Impact Cash Grants
Cisco awards Global Impact Cash Grants to
US-based and non-US based non-profit organizations around the globe, with
national or multinational operations. Eligible organizations must align with
our grant-making criteria and policies.
Cisco's overall approach is to partner with non-profit organizations to identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions that solve challenging socioeconomic conditions in at least one of the investment areas: critical human needs, access to education, and economic empowerment. In order to maximize the impact of investment, Cisco supports programs that fit within its investment areas, serve the underserved, and leverage technology solutions to improve the reach, efficiency, and impact of services. Programs must also have high potential for replication and scale in multiple environments, and a clear path for long-term sustainability.
Visit the following links to learn more information on Cisco's Global Impact Cash Grant program:
Cisco's overall approach is to partner with non-profit organizations to identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions that solve challenging socioeconomic conditions in at least one of the investment areas: critical human needs, access to education, and economic empowerment. In order to maximize the impact of investment, Cisco supports programs that fit within its investment areas, serve the underserved, and leverage technology solutions to improve the reach, efficiency, and impact of services. Programs must also have high potential for replication and scale in multiple environments, and a clear path for long-term sustainability.
Visit the following links to learn more information on Cisco's Global Impact Cash Grant program:
e-PDS portal of India
First of its kind Initiative-
All India Transparency Portal for Public Distribution System (PDS) | Seehttp://pdsportal.nic.in/main.aspx
RTI Online
This is a portal to file RTI
applications/first appeals online along with payment gateway. Payment can be
made through internet banking of SBI & its associate banks and debit/credit
cards of Master/Visa. Through this portal, RTI applications/first appeals can
be filed by Indian Citizens only for the main ministries/departments of Central
Govt., located at New Delhi. RTI applications/first appeals should not be filed
for other Public authorities under Central/State Govt. through this portal.
Please read instructions carefully while submitting request/appeal.
Please read instructions carefully while submitting request/appeal.
The Funds-For-NGOs Small Grants Prize Contest
Deadline: 10 June, 2013
Open to: anyone, but only participating and/or nominated developing country NGOs and networks are eligible to win
Prize: $500 small grant prize is available to one developing country NGO or network. The winning NGO and an additional ten NGOs will receive free access to a fundsforngos.org webinar of their choice.
Open to: anyone, but only participating and/or nominated developing country NGOs and networks are eligible to win
Prize: $500 small grant prize is available to one developing country NGO or network. The winning NGO and an additional ten NGOs will receive free access to a fundsforngos.org webinar of their choice.
Description
Fundsforngos.org is making a $500 small grant prize available to
one developing country NGO or network participating or nominated in the new
Small Grant Competition. The winning NGO and an additional ten NGOs will
receive free access to a fundsforngos.org webinar of their choice.
The goal of the Small Grant Award is to both increase awareness of
fundsforngos.org amongst NGOs around the world and increase active
participation in the fundsforngos.org community, thereby improving NGO capacity
– as well as provide an opportunity to win a Small Grant Prize by way of
lottery to all participating and nominated developing country NGOs and networks.
Eligibility
The competition is open to anyone, but
only participating and/or nominated developing country NGOs and networks are
eligible to win.
The basic criteria to participate in the Small Grant Prize are:
·
Any individual 18 years or older can participate
·
Existing fundsforngos.org subscribers can participate
·
Signing up as a fundsforngos.org subscriber to our Email
Newsletter is recommended but not required
·
Participants need to nominate an eligible NGO or Network as the
potential recipient of the prize
·
No purchase is required to enter the competition
·
Each email address can only register once
The basic eligibility criteria to receive the Small Grant Prize
are:
·
Be a registered NGO or an active network
·
Be based and active in a developing country (as classified by the IMF World Economic Outlook : http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/data/changes.htm)
Prize
$500 small grant prize is available to one developing country NGO
or network. The
winning NGO and an additional ten NGOs will receive free access to a
fundsforngos.org webinar of their choice.
How to apply
The deadline for the receipt of nominations is 10 June 2013 (23:59
GMT).
The final winner(s) will be selected by a prize draw on 17 June
2013 and notified formally by 21 June 2013.
UIDAI launches Aadhaar based Iris Authentication, eKYC, One Time PIN New Services and Permanent Enrolment Centres
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Developing on its vision of
“Empowering residents of India with a unique identity and a digital
platform to authenticate anytime, anywhere”, the Unique Identification
Authority of India (UIDAI) today unveiled three new Aadhaar-Enabled Services
and announced the establishment of first set of permanent enrolment centres
(Aadhaar Kendras). The services that were launched today are Authentication
services using Iris, Authentication service using One Time Pin and eKYC
(Electronic- Know Your Customer) service.
Launching the services, Deputy
Chairman of the Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia said, “The
Aadhaar authentication and eKYC services launched today will give a boost to
the use of the Aadhaar identity platform for authenticating the identity of
people. This is a transformational initiative, and I am sure the Aam Aadmi
will start reaping the benefits of the Aadhaar project in the near future.”
Authentication and eKYC services of
UIDAI will help residents avail benefits of Aadhaar-linked services and give
public/private entities an economical, secure and flexible mode of verifying
user identity.
Underlining the key role these services
will play in the future, Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman UIDAI said, “This is
a major step in the direction of enabling Aadhaar holders to avail various
services by using the Aadhaar identity platform. It also makes sense for
various user agencies (public or private) as they can identify a
beneficiary/customer using a fast, secure, economical and paperless format.”
a. Authentication service using Iris: Residents
will be able to authenticate identity for availing Aadhaar-enabled services
by providing a combination of Aadhaar number + Iris image
b. Authentication service using One
Time Pin (OTP): Residents will be able to
authenticate identity for availing Aadhaar-enabled services by providing a
combination of Aadhaar number + One Time Pin, received on their registered
mobile number
c. eKYC service: Electronic
verification of resident’s identity & address at his request and/or with
his consent. Paperless, secure and economical.
d. Aadhaar Kendra (Permanent
Enrolment Centre): Permanent enrolment Centres will facilitate
enrolment of residents left out during the camps organized by the Registrars
in the past. The centres will also serve as Update Centres - both for
biometric and demographic update.
Aadhaar Iris Authentication: is a process wherein Aadhaar number, along with the resident’s Iris
Image is submitted to UIDAI’s Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for
verification; the CIDR verifies whether the Iris data submitted matches the
Iris data available in CIDR, which had been collected during enrolment, and responds with a “yes/no” reply.
Iris-based authentication of
residents is a state-of-the-art authentication service which enables an
Aadhaar holder to identify himself/herself using the Iris image. The service
can be availed of by all those who have an Aadhaar number including the old,
blind and those who may have undergone cataract surgery. India is the first
country in the world to offer a public Iris Authentication platform and
enablement of Iris Authentication for about 350 million residents, who
currently hold Aadhaar numbers. This is indeed a ground-breaking technology
and service development. UIDAI has conducted proof of concept (PoC) exercises
involving Iris technology and concluded that more than 99% of residents could
be reliably authenticated.
Aadhaar One Time Pin (OTP) Authentication: The OTP service
enables Aadhaar based authentication of all residents who registered a mobile
telephone at the time of enrolment or subsequent updation. With Aadhaar OTP,
residents will be able to authenticate themselves using their mobile telephone
anytime, anywhere on a self service mode without having to use
biometric authentication device, which requires assisted service.
OTP authentication is a two-step process involving the mobile of a
resident. In the first step a request for OTP, against an Aadhaar, is sent to
UIDAI’s Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR). In response, CIDR sends a
newly generated random OTP on the resident’s mobile/email. In the second step
Aadhaar number, along with OTP is submitted to CIDR for verification; the
CIDR verifies whether the OTP data submitted matches the generated OTP data
available in CIDR andresponds with
a “yes/no” reply.
User agencies that take advantage of Aadhaar authentication can use
OTP to provide a single factor authentication, or in combination with
biometrics to achieve a two factor authentication. This would offer higher
flexibility to Authentication User Agencies in terms of deploying appropriate
modality based on factors like demographics, service delivery platform and/or
domain security requirements.
eKYC: The eKYC service offered by UIDAI
will enable individuals to authorise service providers to receive electronic
copy of their proof of identity and address. This is a first of its kind
service, on any public platform. The service makes KYC instantaneous, totally
secure and paperless while enhancing privacy of data. It brings business
efficiency and opens doors to innovative service provision in a manner never
experienced before on a comparable scale.
eKYC service can be deployed by different agencies to verify a
resident’s identity and address. Only DEMOGRAPHIC information (Name, Address,
Date of Birth, Gender, Photograph & Mobile Number) that is collected
during Aadhaar enrolment will be shared, at the request of, and/or with the
consent of the Aadhaar number holder.
Permanent Enrolment Centre: Aadhaar Kendras or Permanent
enrolment Centres will facilitate the enrolment of residents left out during
the camps organized by the Registrars in the past. They would also serve as
Update Centres – for resident who wish to update biometric or demographic
data.
Aadhaar Kendras will be located in
the Common Services Centres, government buildings in
block/mandal/tehsil/municipal ward office or in the official premises of the
Registrar or such premises as may be expressly approved by the Registrars.
Residents can also seek information about their Aadhaar generation status or
get e-Aadhaar printed at these centres.
Registrars may choose to charge a
convenience fee not exceeding Rs.10 for printing e-Aadhaar letter and Rs.15
for update requests. Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery is currently or will
soon be linked to various government schemes such as MNREGA wage payments,
PDS distribution, payment of social security benefits such as old-age
payments, distribution of LPG subsidy etc. Currently over 400 million
residents have enrolled for an Aadhaar number, while about 350 million
Aadhaar numbers have been issued.
*****
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Workshop on India’s Global Development Presence and Engagement of Indian Civil Society
When:
31 May, 2013
Where:
Casuarina Hall, India
Habitat Centre - New Delhi
Description
PRIA in partnership with Research and Information System for Developing
Countries (RIS) is organising a workshop on India’s Global Development Presence
and Engagement of Indian Civil society on 31 May 2013 at India Habitat Centre,
New Delhi.
During the past decade, India’s global presence is being acknowledged in
various multi-lateral and bi-lateral global arenas. India is seen as the
rapidly rising global power by virtue of being the largest democracy, having
younger demographics and one of the top five economies of the world today. As a
member of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development
Bank, India has increased its stakes and influence following the global
financial crisis of 2008. In new multi-lateral mechanisms like G20, IBSA and
BRICS, India’s influence is being increasingly felt. Indian business
enterprises (both public and private) have been expanding their presence around
the world. Indian investment abroad in 2012 was higher than foreign investment
in India.
However, most Indian civil society organisations have largely remained
domestically focused in their development efforts. A recent study on “Civil
Society @ Crossroads” suggested that most Indian civil society actors have not
come to terms with this changing global reality, except in respect of rapidly
declining international funding for their domestic programmes.
India’s official development cooperation also seems to have increased
during the past decade. In order to streamline the growing programme of
development cooperation, the Ministry of External affairs has created a
separate unit Development Partnership Administration (DPA). Senior officials of
DPA have shown an interest in interacting more regularly with Indian civil
society organisations, especially those having experience in overseas
programmes in developing countries. RIS (Research and Information System for
Developing Countries) convened a meeting in January 2013 to explore this
interaction between DPA and Indian civil society and academia. Following that
meeting, a Forum for Indian Development Cooperation (FIDC) has been launched.
The specific purposes of the workshop
are:
• To develop a deeper understanding of India’s global development
footprints bilaterally and multi-laterally in G20, IBSA, BRICS, etc.;
• To explore approaches and modalities of broad-based cooperation
between Indian civil society and DPA;
• To evolve a set of mechanisms that can support on-going and critical
engagements of Indian civil society with India’s global influence in bi-lateral
and multi-lateral fora.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Voluntary Sector’s appeal to the Prime Minister of India to prevent misuse of FCRA (2010)
Voluntary Sector’s appeal to the Prime Minister of
India to prevent misuse of FCRA (2010)
Posted
on May 23, 2013
New Delhi, 22 May 2013
Voluntary
Action Network India (VANI), an apex body of 3500 voluntary organizations
across the country, submitted a letter to the prime minister of India to draw
the attention of Prime Minister for the rampant misuse of Foreign Contribution
Regulation Act against genuine voluntary development organisations of India.
Needless to say here that voluntary sector has been partnering with the Indian
government and marginalised communities to create a prosperous society.
However, since last two years i.e. after the implementationFCRA (2010), it is being used as a
tool of silencing and demining the society movements in the country. VANI draw the attention of the P.M. on certain facts which need
proper investigation these facts are following:
1. Last year almost 4000 registrations were cancelled without informing the
organisations. It was from the website that we came to know about this action.
Eventually it came out that nearly 200 cases were represented with the
department where the records of FCRA department were not updated. These
200 organisations then again submitted their proof of returns and addresses to
plead for their case of innocence. Even today all of such cases are not settled by the FCRA
department where all proof of due diligence by the visits have been submitted
to the department, rather new investigations are initiated to delay the
reversal.
2. As per the provisions of FCRA, if bank accounts of any registered
organisation are freezed or suspended, then investigations have to be completed
in 80 days. These investigations have to be conducted by following the laws of
natural justice, i.e. it has to be timely, with fair chance of listening to
other party, but unfortunately, none of these provisions are being followed. We have cases where
investigations are being carried out since two years. In such cases neither
victim can appeal nor can go to court of law and is kept under permanent
suspension.
3. Surprisingly, there are some
provisions which are left unexplained and unspecified which are being used
against voluntary sector. One
line notices are being issues by sighting such provisions which are neither
explained nor proved by investigations. The case to sight is “working against
national interest”. Even if organisation is working in partnership with Indian
government, within the provisions of national plan of any flag ship project of
national government, above stated reasons are given to freeze their
accounts. Consequently, the victim never gets answer to the crime for which
he is being punished. In fact, victim is neither punished to declare
innocent as investigations are not taken to logical end.
4. Unfortunately, selective
leaks are being made in media about the misuse of foreign funds by the
voluntary sector; on the contrary there is not a single case to prove this
point. We see this as an attempt not only to
tarnish the image of the voluntary sector but also to create fear among the
minds of voluntary sector. No such leaks or accusations are proved ever.
5. Even, international development agencies are not spared. Some of them
are being put under
prior permission category without giving any chance of hearing or event
informing them. Victims of such actions only
get to know about the action of the department through information from the
banks.
6. Misguiding figures about the funds
received under FCRA by the voluntary sector is put in the public domain, whereas
the latest annual report of FCRA department itself indicates that it is only
marginal money out of total funds transferred in the country is for voluntary
sector. The major beneficiaries under FCRA are not voluntary sector but the
religious institutions and corporate academic institutions registered as Not
for Profit Institutions under age old Societies Registration Act, 1860.
VANI as a partner in the development
and nation building and on behalf of all genuine voluntary development
organisations suggested Prime Minister to take following steps:
1. There is an urgent need to inculcate
the accountability on the actions of the FCRA department, by time bound
investigations. We only request that provisions of the FCRA is respected and adhered to.
We request that investigations are completed within the stipulated timeframe
under the law.
2. Unexplained provisions which are used as the weapon to punish the
innocents should be clearly defined. The terms like “national interest”,
“Dharna, agitations”, and “political interest” need clear definition as today
they are used as one-liners to freeze and suspend the registrations. Even
giving information to people on national schemes like NREGS or SSA is
considered as working against the national interest in some cases. We feel that
making people aware about their entitlements under the law of the land should
not be seen as any activity against national interest. Peaceful
demonstration like “satyagraha” or taking small delegation to district
collector is not a violent activity. We urge the proper notification to be issues by the Ministry of
Home Affairs on theses definitions.
3. No certificate or document is issued
by the FCRA department after receiving annual returns from the registered
organisations. The liability always remains with the registered organisation to
beg in front of department to get their records updated. The case of cancellation of 4000 organisations has shown that.
Being managed by Home Ministry, the voluntary organisations do not have
physical access to the officials in the building and there is no provision of
getting acknowledgement or certification. This not only makes voluntary
organisations vulnerable due to uncertainty but also helps touts to misguide
and exploit innocent and law abiding citizens.
4. There is need to make the FCRA department more accessible to the
voluntary organisations by having structured interface. VANI along with FCRA
department planned five regional outreach workshops, but the process was
stopped after two namely South and West. We request you to restart the process and organise the remaining
outreach workshops for North-East, North, and Eastern Region of the country. Such
step not only gives chance to voluntary sector and officials to understand each
other but also builds a relationship of trust.
5. Last but not least we request a joint mechanism between voluntary sector and official of
Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss issues related to not only to FCRA and
other issues of mutual concerns. This
is in line with the “National Policy for Voluntary Sector” prepared and
endorsed by the Government of India in 2007. Such joint mechanism
will also help in developing white paper on the foreign funding into India,
which can clear lots of misconception in the minds of common people.
Through this news we request to all
the National and international media to share this news so it should reach to
the masses and policy makers across the globe.
-Civil Society Now
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FROM NGO NETWORKS
The Robert Carr civil society
Networks Fund is pleased to announce the second Request for Proposals (RFP) for
global and regional civil society networks addressing HIV related issues.
Global and regional networks and consortia of networks that meet the
definitions and criteria set by this RFP, are invited to apply for a grant to
support core-funding and/or programmatic needs of the network for up to two
years (2014/2015).
The deadline for submission of
proposals is 22 July 2013 at 12:00 CET.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
The Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund will continue to
fund both global and regional networks, but with a positive funding bias
towards proposals submitted by consortia of networks, followed by proposals
submitted by global networks, followed by proposals submitted by regional
networks. Regional networks are encouraged to form or join a consortium for a
joint application.
The Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund is likely to fund
larger consortia or networks in a variety of sectors, rather than a broad
selection of networks in many sectors.
The Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund will prioritize
funding for networks that have a proven track record in working towards the
Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund outcomes. New and emerging networks can
be recommended for funding to the extent that they fill a gap in the global HIV
and AIDS response, and are submitting an application in a consortium with other
global and/or regional networks with a proven track record.
The Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund will prioritize
funding networks that are open, enabling coordinated action and dialogue within
the network membership.
The Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund is unlikely to fund
professional associations, project consortia, or groups of individuals as
‘networks’ if they do not fulfill these characteristics.
The Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund will not prioritize
proposals by grantees of the 2012 Robert Carr civil society Networks Fund
funding round. All applications will be reviewed competitively, according to
the definitions and funding priorities set by this Request for Proposals. A new
application by a 2012 grantee will be weighed together with their interim
reporting results, achieved during the first year of funding. Grantees of the
2012 funding round are encouraged to form or join a consortium for a joint
application.
Click here
to read the full request for
proposals.: http://www.robertcarrfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/RFP-2013.pdf
Apply for Earth Care Awards
Earth
Care Awards aim to highlight and recognize the special work
in tackling the changes posed by climate change. Applications for its 2014
edition are open: http://gogreenindia.co.in/
Please visit for Application and other information’s at: http://gogreenindia.co.in/applications2014.aspx
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