|
Parvatiya Jan Kalyan Sansthan
|
|
| NETWORKING AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF NGOs |
Over a period of
time there was a growing realization by PJKS that although a number of civil
society organisations had been working in Uttarakhand yet co-ordinated efforts
were lacking. Each NGO was working on its own with minimal dialogue and
cooperation with other NGOs. This was leading many a times to duplicity of
efforts, wasteful competition and ultimately leading to an atmosphere of
mistrust and rivalry among them.
In the year1995-96 PJKS also undertook a survey to assess the capacities of som of the smaller NGOs in the state.
It became obvious that most of the surveyed
NGOs were lacking both in human as well as monetary resources.
It was also found
that these NGOs had low levels of skills and knowledge, limited fundraising
capacities, their documentation was poor and their capacities to plan and
implement the desired interventions were also wanting. This drew the attention
of PJKS towards the need for thinking and working on the capacity building of
such NGOs.
PJKS mobilized and facilitated community-based organisations, that were working
towards developmental issues at local levels, for initiating collective action.
Initially, 34 voluntary organisations from Uttarakhand joined hands and a
network named SAMBANDH was formed in the year 1997. This initiative was
supported by the Indo German Social Service Society (IGSSS). The main objectives
of the network were:
§ To provide an interactive platform for various NGOs working in remote hill
villages in Uttarakhand.
§ To evolve a collective strategy and approach towards various development
initiatives in the region.
§ To identify and share the knowledge and resources available with the various
member organisations.
In the early years of its formation this network focused more on the capacity
building of NGOs for watershed development. However, gradually it has widened
its scope to take up other issues as well within its ambit. Significantly, after
supporting SAMBANDH for nearly 4 years PJKS came
out of it when it felt that the network had developed sufficient capacities to
work independently.
It is heartening to note that today this network has a membership of nearly 100
voluntary organisations from all parts of Uttarakhand.
