Name of ODA agency/Ministry
Aga Khan Foundation
Name of grant programme
Innovation Fund for Rural Development
Background
The Aga Khan Development Network was founded by His Highness the
Aga Khan and brings together a number of development agencies, institutions and
programmes that work primarily in the poorest regions of Asia and Africa. The Aga
Khan Development Network works through the SCALE (Sustainable Community-Based
Approaches to Livelihood Enhancement) programme in India. The main focus is to
try out innovative processes to enhance livelihood generation in the semi-arid
rain-fed rural areas in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Types of grant
This fund provides small grants to NGOs to implement short term
projects for a maximum of two years.
Grant size
The grant size may vary depending on the project but the maximum
amount of grant available is INR 25,000,000.
Own Contribution
The Aga Khan Foundation expects the applicant to contribute with
something.
Funding Priorities
The main priority area of this programme is to enhance livelihood
generation in rural areas by implementing
innovative processes. This is expected to be achieved by:
• Use of information and communication technology in livelihood
enhancement.
• Making governance reform, especially those related to local
governance.
• Implementing innovative approaches to microenterprise development
and microfinance access.
Special priority will be given to projects which focus on marginalised
sections of society, such as:
• Under-served populations in geographically remote areas.
• Livelihood of women, the very poor, under-privileged and
marginalised people (elderly citizens, physically challenged, weaker groups,
etc).
• Environmental health of rural communities (mainly women and
children, who are particularly vulnerable
to water-borne diseases, indoor air pollution and lack of focused
health-care services.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible are NGOs registered for at least three years under the
Societies Act or the Trust Act in India with
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to support the
implementation of innovative ideas through village
federations, community groups, self-help groups and public agencies.
Guidelines
The guidelines for this fund can be downloaded from the website at
http://www.akdn.org/india_scale.asp
Project Duration
The maximum project duration is two years.
Deadline
The proposals should be submitted mid-year. No date is specified.
Application Forms
The application format along with the guidelines is available
along with the guidelines of the proposal and can be downloaded from the
website at http://www.akdn.org/india_ scale.asp
Application and Procedures
Applications can be sent either directly to the Aga Khan Foundation
office in New Delhi, or e-mailed to somnath.
bandyopadhyay@akdn.org. Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has given its
National Committee the authority to supervise decisions regarding the fund. If
the proposal is approved, the NGO will sign a Grant Contract with AKF. A
milestone-based mode of funding is followed where pre-determined amounts of
funds will be released on successful achievement of agreed milestones.
Language
English
Tips
Only those proposals that are submitted strictly in the prescribed
format will be considered for screening at the first level.
Contact
Official name
Aga Khan Foundation
Acronym
AKF
Phone
011 23386234
Email
Website
Address
Sarojini House, 2nd Floor
Near Supreme Court
6 Bhagawan Das Road
New Delhi
110 001
