Definition of NGO

The term NGO denotes all organization outside the governmental sector. NGOs, as commonly understood, mean private, non-profit, independent (not affiliated to any political party) an self governing organizations engaged in or supporting developmental efforts focused on the poor and which emphasize democratization, decentralization an popular participation.They are often referred to as “Voluntary Agencies” (Volags) or more accurately as “Voluntary Development Organizations.” 

 Numbers  

The United Nations Development Programme had estimated that NGOs touch around 250 million people in developing countries, 60%of them in Asia. More than $7 million (the equivalent of nearly 15% of official aid and disbursements) flow to NGOs in these countries from government and other donor institutions.  In India, the precise number of NGOs is not known but it is likely to be very large. NGOs permitted to receive foreign funds under the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA) alone number around, 15.000. CAPART’s Directory lists nearly 2,000 NGOs in the field of rural development and acknowledges the there are many more. The DDF-India Directory of environmental NGOs has details of around 900 organizations. As per list given on the website of the Planning Commission, there are about 16430 NGOs in India. In Punjab there are approximately 300 NGOs as per list displayed by Punjab Planning Department’s Website.

Heterogeneity amongst NGOs  

NGOs include ”support”, “bridging” or “intermediate” organization along with “grass root” organizations and “Social Action Groups” (SAGs). Many are formal entities registered under the various Societies Registration or Public Trusts Acts, and so like Self Employed Women’s Association-SEWA-in Gujarat are registered under the Trade Unions Act. There are also informal groups, too. Networks and coalitions of such organizations have been built around specific issues or themes (e.g. Voluntary Action Network India-  - and the Voluntary Health Association of India-VHAI), or with wider interests (e.g. the Association of Voluntary Agencies in Rural Development- AVARD).

Further, all NGOs may not be functioning with the financial assistance from the government. Many NGOs function on the basis of assistance from private donor agencies which number about 500 in India alone. Activities of many NGOs get financial support from International agencies and other international donor foundations. In this connection, ford Foundation, Bill gates Foundation deserves a mention.

       Need for establishing the Centre

Under the ambitious expansion plan for the activities of Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab greater emphasis was laid on research base activities in all spheres of governance. In this context, it was decide to establish a Centre for Participatory Management and Voluntary Organization with ten objectives as mention on the first page of Souvenir. The idea was incubated with the plan proposals of the institute were discussed between Shri B.K. Srivastava, Director General of the Institute and Shri Satish Chandra, the Secretary Planning, Govt. of Punjab and the proposal was approved by the Planning Department. In pursuance or this, the center was conceived. After its establishment, a series of interactions with selected representatives of the voluntary sector in Punjab were held.

        Objectives

1.     To promote participatory management in Governance.

2.     To accredit and recognize the NGOs in Punjab.

3.     To provide forum for confederation of voluntary sector leadership.

4.     To develop professional growth of voluntary organizations.

5.     To survey, evaluate and document the activities of NGOs in Punjab.

6.     To facilitate mobilization of human and financial resources for NGOs.

7.     To facilitate & conduct capacity development programme for the voluntary sector personnel.

8.     To promote creation of NGOs in non –traditional areas.

9.     To design modules for participatory management in various spheres of Governance.

10. To collate and disseminate the achievement and success stories of the voluntary sector.

     Action Plan  

1.      The Centre would aim at an annual convocation of NGOs and recognize the NGOs that are making tangible difference.

2.      Intensive interaction with voluntary sector will be undertaken in order to inspire, motivate & involve NGOs and thereby community.

3.      Calendar of activities at district, regional & state level will be designed in advance for each year and the same would be disseminated to all relevant stakeholders through the website of the centre.

4.      The Centre would be structured in a manner so that it would effectively act as Federation of NGOs.

5.      Documentation and publicity of outstanding achievements and innovative work done by the NGOs through electronic and print media.

6.      Capacity building of volunteers and workers of NGOs as will as Government functionaries.

7.      The Centre would prepare modules on participatory management in order to facilitate NGOs participation in various spheres of governance.

8.      The Centre will develop a databank of resource persons.

9.      Sector specific activities undertaken in CPMVO @MGSIPAP will be related to development of NGOs and the same will be linked to different parts of state through the Institute’s Regional /District Centre which would provide the immediate platform for the NGOs.

10.  Networking and Advocacy with central, State Govt., Donors and Media will be facilitated.

11. The Centre document innovative initiatives in voluntary sector and assist NGOs is sharing their   valuable experiences.

12. The Centre will undertake survey and classification of the NGOs and publish a classified Directory of the NGOs.

13. The Centre would work to contribute inputs to CAPART, Planning Commission and other national and international forums for effective utilization of social initiatives in voluntary sector.

14. The Centre will endeavour to introduce the ideology of participatory management in all government departments.

15. The Centre would work towards identification of innovative interventions specific to the conditions of marginalized sections.

16. The Centre will facilitate funding of NGOs under different government programmes.

17. It will render help in the modernization & professional growth of traditional NGOs.