Workshop on Strengthening CSOs in Nagaland, Statutory Compliance, Financial Management and Organizational Systems was organised by the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) in partnership with SELCO Foundation on August 18.
The workshop aims to strengthen the capacities of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nagaland on key aspects of organizational governance, statutory compliance, financial management, internal systems, and access to funding.
In his welcome note, Theodore Yanthan, Secretary, SCPD & Joint Secretary, Government of Nagaland, Social Welfare Department welcomed the SELCO Foundation and also the NGOs who needed this much needed intervention to have a clear governance structure to strengthen their work for PWDs at the grassroot level.
He encouraged the participants to make full use of this opportunity in a practical and comprehensive manner. Yanthan also advised the NGOs to share experiences and challenges and also identify gaps in their organisations so that they become more accountable and more sustainable.
In his keynote address, Tongpang L Jamir, State Commissioner for PWDs stated that “ Nagaland has several genuine and committed organization, NGOs, Societies and Disability Persons Organisations (DPOs) working tirelessly at the grassroots level for the rights, welfare, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.”
He, however, regretted that the grim reality is that many of these organisations who are aware of the lived realities of PWDs continue to face serious challenges in accessing financial resources. He said most of these NGOs also lack adequate technical knowledge, institutional capacity or guidance to navigate various compliance and funding requirements.
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Jamir further added that the cause of persons with disabilities cannot be the State Commission for persons with Disabilities or the Department of Social Welfare alone but the rights, dignity, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities require a concerted and collaborative effort from all stakeholders.
“Strengthening the institutional and financial capacity of NGOs and DPOs is not merely an organizational concern- it is an essential part of strengthening the disability rights movement itself,” he added.
The technical sessions on providing practical guidance on strengthening institutional processes maintaining statutory and financial compliance, improving documentation and internal controls and accessing CSR funding opportunities, along with developing actionable plans for organizational improvement were facilitated by Debasish Achajee from Seven sisters Development Assistance (SesTA) while Temjenmoa Jamir, CSR Manager, IDAN spoke on accessing CSR Funding
The Program was moderated by Roseline S, State lead, SELCO Foundation and Vote of thanks was delivered by Kushem Yemjong, JSO, SCPD.
