Empowering NGOs through Management Tools: An AEIF Project Report

Report (July’12- August’13)

Background

  

In a global competition held by the U.S. State Department through Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), the BNHS entry of the project “Capacity Development of Mid-level Professionals from Environmental NGOs into Master Trainers through Management Workshops” was selected from 685 entries all over world.  From the 50 finalists two projects were selected from India. The project was led by Dr.  V. Shubhalaxmi from BNHS along with other Fulbright Alumni from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Imphal and Bhubaneshwar.  The project was funded by U.S. Government through U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai.

In India, there are around 2342 environmental NGOs (eNGOs) who work with wildlife and environment. Most of the times it becomes difficult for them to provide a human face for their work which does not appeal the donors, leading to paucity of funds. Moreover in this sector, eNGOs are least funded as their work is not directly related to human beings. Therefore, these organizations constantly grapple with sustainability issues. The financial instability spirals down to mismanagement in the organization. There are four important management factors that limit an eNGO from becoming financially sustainable; Fiscal Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management and Networking and Public Relations (PR). If the mid-level employees of an eNGOs are equipped with these skills, the eNGOs can aim to become sustainable and grow progressively. These skills are however not easily available for eNGOs as they cannot afford management professionals. Therefore, the aim of this project was to develop master trainers among the eNGOs who will conduct these management trainings on regular basis within as well as outside their organizations.

The yearlong programme trained  152 employees from 98 NGOs across the country. The programme included three-day management workshops followed mentoring phase and concluding with a two-day follow up workshop. All participating NGOs will be enrolled on a network that will provides continued technical support to the participants. Altogether 8 workshops were held Mumbai, Imphal, Bangalore, Kottayam, Pune, Ahmedabad and Delhi.

The three-day workshop  will covered topics such know your NGO, art of fund raising, grant writing, project management, team management, volunteer management, networking and PR, marketing management and leadership development. The workshop format was mainly AV shows, Brainstorming, Hands on Activity for individuals/groups and home assignments.

Challenges And Supporters

The team had faced several challenges in organizing the above workshops across the country. Inspite of the best efforts put in by the team, the turn out of participants for these workshops were lower than speculated. There were many reasons which cannot be generalize for any one region. However overall it was felt that such type of capacity development programme was new concept in the NGO sector and we therefore received mixed responses. The best part of these workshops were the local synergies which the AEIF team was able to establish with local institutional partners. 

Except in Bangalore, all local partners provided free venue and helped in saving some funds. Following institutions helped us with free venue:

1. Bharatiya Vidyapeeth, Pune

2. Serenity Library, Ahmedabad

3. Kerala Social Service Forum

4. American Centre, New Delhi

5. State Level Nodal Agency for Integrated Watershed Management Programme, Manipur

Post Workshop Activities

After completion of each workshop, the participants were given monthly assignments to complete. It was observed very few individuals were able to submit their assignments on regular basis. Most of the professionals being actively involved in their jobs were unable to dedicate time to the assignments. However, all those who did submit their assignments saw great benefits for themselves and their organizations. The assignments were reviewed by the team and sent back to the participants with comments. Some of the best assignments were shared as templates for others.

The team shared funding opportunities and other important study materials and links with the participants on regular basis through the Google group. Chat sessions were planned several times which witness 1-2 participants only. 

The group exchanged few success stories wherein participants acknowledged the programme support in seeking a funding opportunity, setting up organization website and social media accounts, solicited in individual donors and getting a vehicle as donation. Some of the participants developed networking bonds with other participants. Two of Bangalore participants helped in co-ordinating the workshop in Kottayam.

PROJECT Evaluation

An online survey was carried out to understand how the project fared in terms of its goals and objectives. Unfortunately not many could take this survey, we got 26 respondents. Here is what the participants shared with us.

1.   Workshop Participation: Regarding the reasons for joining the programme, 70% of respondents mentioned that they enrolled for the programme to enhance organizational developmental while 17% opted for professional development. It was found 48% of respondents were first timers for such management training programmes. Post workshop  43% of respondents experienced enhancement in their skill and knowledgebase while remaining expressed that the workshop made some impact on them.

2.   Mentoring Phase: 57% of respondents agreed that the assignments were in line with the programme objectives. It was seen that 43% of respondents were able to complete 25% of their assignments whereas 17% submitted 50% of the assignments and only 4% were able to complete all assignments.

For the virtual interactions on social media and gmail, 57% respondents rated their performance to be poor and 43% felt it was average. Regarding the extent of reading and writing assignments 96% respondents felt the reading was appropriate and 83% respondents felt that the writing was appropriate.

In terms of satisfaction with the mentoring phase, 41%  respondents rated it as very good,  27% rated good and 18% rated as excellent. As a student of this programme, 70% respondents rated themselves as average and 30% as excellent students.

3.   Assessment of the Overall Programme: The 48%-55% respondents rated the online assignments and workshop experience and as very effective, 60% respondents rated the guidance from faculty, interactivity with faculty and workshop manual as effective and 75% found chat sessions neutral or least effective.

For the strengths the programme,  45% respondents found the programme content in line with NGO sector needs,  20% felt it was a good opportunity for professional development of NGO professionals, 20% found the faculty very effective and 15% believed that the programme provided networking platform.

For weakness of the programme, 58% respondents felt that the time duration of the workshop was short and that they do not have sufficient time to submit their assignments. 26% respondents found the learning to be of advance level which they were unable to cope up. A small percentage felt that the assignments needs customization and that more efforts should be made by the faculty to increase networking among the participants.

4.   Benefits from the Programme: Regarding the benefits derived from the programme, 39% of respondents agreed that the programme had a small yet overall impact on them as well as on their organization, 31% agreed to take up grant writing seriously,  16% agreed to develop their teams, fundraising plans and improved their programme management, lastly 14% respondents did not apply the programme lessons to their works and thus found no impact on their work.

Conclusion

The project concluded with conclusion of mentoring phase.The participation certificate to the participants were emailed. The group continuos to be in touch with the team through the Google group- engosindianetwork and Facebook page-eNGOsIndia where news about  funding opportunities and collaborative programmes are shared on periodic basis.

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Annexure 1: List of Team Members

The team included 10 fellows (however two of them opted out). We have following team members:

Western zone (Mumbai): 

1. Dr. V.Shubhalaxmi (Project Leader, Hubert Humphrey Fellow 2009-10, FNELP, 2003-04): An conservation - environmental educationist and management professional
2. Mr. Isaac Kehimkar (Regional Co-ordinator,FNELP,2006):An environmentalist, Author and PR professional
3. Dr. Bala Krishnamoorthy (FNELP 2004-05): An environmental management professional.

Southern Zone (Chennai): 

4. Mr. Raju Arumugham (Regional Co-ordinator, Hubert Humphrey Fellow, 2010-11): A social worker and management professional
5. Dr. Snehalata Nadiger (ER Fellow,2010, FNELP, 2011): An environmental biotechnologist

Northern Zone (Delhi):

6. Dr. Swayamprabha Das (Regional Co-ordinator, Hubert Humphrey Fellow 2007-08): A natural resource management consultant
7. Dr.Vandana Tyagi (Hubert Humphrey Fellow 2007-08): A plant genetic management professional.
   
   

Eastern Zone (Imphal) :

8. Ms. Rajkumari Sunita Devi (Regional Co-ordinator, Hubert Humphrey Fellow 2008-09): A GIS specialist.

Team Members who opted out

1. Dr S.Armstrong (Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Professor, 2009-2010:An English professor
   
   
2. Mr. Shouvik Mitra (Hubert Humphrey 2009-10) : A community development consultant

Annexure 2: List of Participants

Sr. No.	Name of participant	Name of the Organization
WESTERN REGION: MUMBAI
	Mr. Atul Inamdar	Green Energy Foundation
	Ms. Beena Hiremath	Poornakumbha Gramin Development Foundation
	Ms. Riddhi Parekh
	Mr. Ramashish Joshi	Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra
	Mr. Nandakishor Dudhe	Wildlife and Environment Conservation Society, Amravati
	Mr. Abhiman Auchar	Baliraja Krushi Vidnyan Mandal
	Mr, Omprakash Giri
	Ms. Amandeep Kaur	Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS- India)
	Ms. Priti Choghale
	Mr. Mukesh Pathak	Gujarat Nature Conservation Society
	Mr. Amit Khare	Guruvarya Dadasaheb Bowa Educational Organisation
	Ms. Kavita Walavalkar	Paryavaran Dakshata manch
	Ms. Seeta Bansod	Ramabai Ambedkar Mahila Vikas Sanstha, Kaij
	Ms. Nilima Tukaram Jorwar	Saurabh Gramvikas Bahuuddeshiya
	Mr. Dhaval Patel	Vidyanagar nature Club
	Mr. Siddharth Sonawane	Wildlife Protection and Sanctuary Organisation
	Mr. Yuwaraj Sonawane
18.	Ms. Sangeeta Kharat	Shrustigyan
EASTERN REGION: IMPHAL
	Mr. S. Bimol Singh	Friends' Re-Union for Development
	Mr. L. Chaoba
	Mr. Kishor Dev	Society for Socio-economic Awareness and Environmental Protection (SSEAEP)
	Prof. J. K. Sarma
	Rev. Rd. Joykumar Anal	Christian Social Development Organisation (CSDO)
	Ch. Jiten Singh	Social Development & Watershed Management Organisation
	Mr. H. Brojen Singh
	Mr. N. Bokunjao Singh	Association for Rural Development Kangleipak
	Mr. M. Ningthem
	Mr. Yambem Laba	Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association
	Mr. Ng. Pobitro
	Mr. Th. Bollo Singh	Community Review and Research Centre
	Mr. Jinu Pathak	Green Environment Task Force
	Mr. Nehemeah Rong	District Rural Development Agency
	Mr. Tuime Lolly	People Action for Rural Development Association (PARDA), Hamleikhong Ukhrul
	Mr. Khundrakpam Malemnganba	Resource Upliftment Centre for Human Interest
	Mr. Akoijam Ibochouba	Community Development and Environmental Forum
	Mr. Haokam	Zougam Institute for Community Resources & Development, Sadar Hills Senapati
	Mr. Ch. Gyaneshor Meitei	Radiance Socio Economic Development Organisation
	Mr. Paul Rong	Integrated Rural Economic Development Society (IREDS)
	Mr. Okram Basudev	District Rural Development Agency
	Mr. Okram Bishamvor Singh	Human Institution of Life Line Services (HILLS)
	Mr. Loitongbam Nelson	Community Upliftment Organization
	Mr. Sundari Irengbam
SOUTHERN REGION: BANGALORE
43.	Ms. Sapna S.B.	LIFE
44.	Mr. Jojo T.D	Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) Kerala
45.	Ms. Kavitha
46.	Ms. Jinu Pathak	Blessings Life Foundation Trust
47.	Mr. Gilbert
48.	Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese	WWF– India, Kerala
49.	Mr. Hari Somashekhar	WWF – India, Bangalore
50.	Mr. Sanjay Rattan	Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF), Indian Institute Of Science
51.	Ms. Khushboo	Narain Sewa Sansthan
52.	Ms. Meghana Raj
53.	Mr. Manohar Patel	Maithreya
54.	Ms. Kumudha Arumugham	InvestHope
55.	Mr. Ventesh Murthy	Shreyoshree
56.	Mr. Kalegowda	Ambika Urban Rural Development Organisation
57.	K. N. Kodandaramaiah	The Karnataka State Harijan Girijan Rural Development  Organization
58.	Mr. Devender	ProgJyoti
59.	Mr. Yadaya	BREADS, Bangalore
60.	Mr.Sajeesh K P
61.	Mr. Gnana Swamy D S	Student Ideal and Guide for Nature Awareness (SIGNA)
62.	Ms. Samisha Seth	International Association For Human Values (IAHV)
63.	Ms. Aishwarya Pedalaya
NORTHERN REGION: NEW DELHI
64.	Ms. Rashmi Rawat	Society STADD
65.	Mr. Edward Wheeler	Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation
66.	Ms. Manuj Pandey
67.	Dr. Sarita Mehra	Rajputana Society of Natural History
68.	Dr. Satya Prakash Mehra
69.	Mr. Ashish Jain	Energy Unlimited Foundation
70.	Mr. Surinder Sharma
71.	Mr. Shantanu Gupta	YUVA Foundation
72.	Mr. Achal Garg
73.	Mr. Vinay Kumar
74.	Mr. Ashish Kumar	Society for Development and Environment Protection (DEEP)
75.	Mr. Divya Gupta
76.	Mr. Anil Sharma	Punjab Agriculture University
77.	Mr. Vijai Singh	LEAD India
78.	Mr. Fahd Khaled
79.	Dr. Dinesh Joshi	HSC
80.	Ms. Hemlata Joshi
81.	Mr. Bibhu Tripathy	CEE
82.	Ms. Madhulika Singh
83.	Mr. Pradip Das
84.	Mr. Gurpreet Singh
85.	Mr. Bharat Sharma	The Friends of the Doon Society
86.	Mr. Sangita Saxena	WWF-India
87.	Mr. Michael Peters
88.	Ms. Sejuti Sarkar De	Society for Natural Resource Management & Community Development (SNRMCD)
89.	Mr.  TK Sajeev	Bombay Natural History Society, Delhi
90.	Mr. Ishtiyak Ahamad
SOUTHERN ZONE: KOTAYYAM
91.	Mr. Ben Mathew	Kottayam Social Service Society
92.	Mr.  Sanu Francis	QSSS,Kollam
93.	Mr. Sinoj	Tellicherry Social Service Society (TSSS)
94.	Mr. Visakh K. Mohan	Bodhana (Thiruvalla Social Service Society)
95.	Mr. Reo Risen. A	Evangelical Social Action Forum
96.	Mr. Jubili Senere Anil
97.	Mr. Vishnupriyan	Cochin Natural History Society
98.	Dr. Punnen Kurian	Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences
99.	Mr. Abin Varghese
100.	Mr. Pramod Krishna	High Range Wildlife& Environment Preservation Association
101.	Mr. E.J.Jose	SFC
102.	Mr. Babu Padmakumar	Environment Science Post-Graduates Association
103.	Dr. John C. Mathew
104.	Mr. A. M. Michael	Neyyattinkara Integral Development Society (NIDS)
105.	Mr. Sukumaran Nair	74.    Pamba Parirakhana Samithi
106.	Mr. Ashish Mathew George	Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE)
107.	Mr. Joby Paul
108.	Mr. Murukan Pareparambil
109.	Mr. A. K. Sivakumar	WWF- India
110.	Mr. Jomine P. Jose	KSSF
WESTERN ZONE: PUNE
111.	Ms. Harishchandra Dhawale	APNA (All People's New Association)
112.	Ms. Sheetal Falke
113.	Mr. Tushar Gunarkar	Om Bahu Youdeshya Sanstha
114.	Mr. Bhimrao Shende	Bahujan Education Society
115.	Ms. Jyoti Gaikwad	Econet
116.	Mr. Jagdish Khandekar	Jagruti Gramin Vikas Sanstha
117.	Mr. Dipendra Khandekar
118.	Mr. Vasant Bhanse	Jyoti Education Trust
119.	Ms. Mahadevi Randive	Kranti Lahuji Salve Charitable Trust
120.	Mr. Vyankat Totre
121.	Ms. Manisha Patil	Aranyanand Shikshan, Sahitya va Sanskriti Pratishthan
122.	Dr. Pramod Patil	Nature Walk, Pune
123.	Ms. Deepti Khare
124.	Mr. B. H. Waghmare	Mrutyunjay Krushi Vigyan Vikas Mandal
125.	Adv. Gouri Joshi	HARMONY
WESTERN ZONE: AHMEDABAD
126.	Ms. Vidya Vyankatesh	Last Wilderness Foundation
127.	Ms. Annie Gregory	Centre for Environment Education
128.	Mr. Nils Michelly
129.	Dr. Sandeep Maunjpara	Gujarat Ecological Education & Research (GEER) Foundation
130.	Mr. Siddharth Panpatil	Chhatrapati Rajshri Shahu Maharaj Bahu Uddeshi Sanstha
131.	Mr. Harshal Salve
132.	Mr. Santosh Yadav	The Serenity Library
133.	Ms. Sumaiya Shaikh
134.	Ms. Maya Parihar	SHARDA Trust
135.	Ms. Mittal Shah
136.	Ms. Sonal Nermeti
137.	Mr. Raag Patel	Nature Conservation Foundation (Gujarat)
138.	Mr. Subbaraman	Wildlife Trust of India
139.	Mr. R.Premjothi
140.	Dr. Tejas Naik	Birds and Nature Enthusiasts
WESTERN ZONE: MUMBAI		Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai
141.	Dr. Raju Kasambe	IBA
142.	Mr. Abhijit Malekar	IBA
143.	Mr. Siddhesh Surve	IBA
144.	Mr. Sachin Kulkarni	Adminstration
145.	Mr. Prasad Karve	Accounts
146.	Ms. Darshana Patil	Accounts
147.	Ms. Nita Sashidharan	ENVIS
148.	Ms. Parveen Shaikh	Research
149.	Mr. Vandan Zaveri	Programmes
150.	Ms. Isha Pradhan-Sawant	CEC
151.	Ms. Deepa Fernandes	CEC
152.	Ms. Neha Sinha	Advocacy