CHENNAI: Representatives of 85 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in an act of introspection, called for a course correction in their activities to gain greater acceptance among foreign donor agencies as well as Central and state governments.
In a meeting convened by Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) at Gandhigram in Dindigul district on Tuesday, representatives of NGOs said international funding for NGOs in southern states had dried up as the focus of foreign donors had shifted to UP, Bihar and other poorer states in north India.
Some NGOs in southern districts of the state have been blacklisted for their alleged support to anti-nuclear activists by the Union home ministry. Similarly some others have been barred from getting foreign funds after they were found diverting money for purposes other than what it was intended for. Quite a few of these NGOs are based out of Tamil Nadu.
"There are some black sheep among us and due to their activities the entire sector has got a bad name," Vani treasurer K Shivakumar told TOI.
In the last few years, the overall contribution by foreign donors to NGOs in Tamil Nadu has increased, but only one organization has benefitted from the increase. Even this organization, based in Chennai, has not utilized the money in any southern state. Instead, it has diverted it to Bihar, UP and other northern states, said Shivakumar.
Foreign donors have laid down condition that they would release money only if it is meant for spending in poor northern states, where the condition of the poor is pathetic, said Shivakumar.
The NGOs also expressed concern over the trust deficit between governments and voluntary organizations owing to introduction of stringent provisions in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ( FCRA) and income tax. There is a general sense of suspicion on the activities of NGOs, they said.
Many NGOs have already shifted their focus to securing corporate funding. Conventional funding opportunities from international donor agencies is almost nil for south India projects due to improved level of development indicators in these states. Hence, NGOs have to look for alternative sources, felt many participants.
NGOs, by and large, work independently as they are highly suspicious about each other. Networking is a remote possibility among such organizations. This makes them vulnerable too, said a representative. If NGOs are to reestablish their credibility, they need to be transparent and accountable, said Shivakumar.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/NGOs-seek-corporate-help-as-foreign-funds-dry-up/articleshow/45136342.cms
In a meeting convened by Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) at Gandhigram in Dindigul district on Tuesday, representatives of NGOs said international funding for NGOs in southern states had dried up as the focus of foreign donors had shifted to UP, Bihar and other poorer states in north India.
Some NGOs in southern districts of the state have been blacklisted for their alleged support to anti-nuclear activists by the Union home ministry. Similarly some others have been barred from getting foreign funds after they were found diverting money for purposes other than what it was intended for. Quite a few of these NGOs are based out of Tamil Nadu.
"There are some black sheep among us and due to their activities the entire sector has got a bad name," Vani treasurer K Shivakumar told TOI.
In the last few years, the overall contribution by foreign donors to NGOs in Tamil Nadu has increased, but only one organization has benefitted from the increase. Even this organization, based in Chennai, has not utilized the money in any southern state. Instead, it has diverted it to Bihar, UP and other northern states, said Shivakumar.
Foreign donors have laid down condition that they would release money only if it is meant for spending in poor northern states, where the condition of the poor is pathetic, said Shivakumar.
The NGOs also expressed concern over the trust deficit between governments and voluntary organizations owing to introduction of stringent provisions in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ( FCRA) and income tax. There is a general sense of suspicion on the activities of NGOs, they said.
Many NGOs have already shifted their focus to securing corporate funding. Conventional funding opportunities from international donor agencies is almost nil for south India projects due to improved level of development indicators in these states. Hence, NGOs have to look for alternative sources, felt many participants.
NGOs, by and large, work independently as they are highly suspicious about each other. Networking is a remote possibility among such organizations. This makes them vulnerable too, said a representative. If NGOs are to reestablish their credibility, they need to be transparent and accountable, said Shivakumar.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/NGOs-seek-corporate-help-as-foreign-funds-dry-up/articleshow/45136342.cms
