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Orissa Civil Society and Poverty Programme
Notice inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) from non-governmental organisations (NGOs)/civil society organisations (CSOs) in Orissa
The Department for International Development (DFID) is responsible for the UK government's contribution to the global campaign to eliminate poverty. DFID works with the Indian Government, state governments and other development agencies to help achieve the objectives of India’s 10th Five Year Plan and reach the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. All DFID support is on grant terms.
In Orissa, DFID works on three principal areas in its poverty alleviations mandate: accountable governance, human development and improved and sustainable rural livelihoods. ‘Accountable governance’ includes a component of working with civil society organisations to strengthen the capacity of poor people to articulate their concerns more effectively and improve the dialogue between civil society and government. This programme is termed the Orissa Civil Society and Poverty Programme (OCSPP).
DFID had launched Phase I of the OCSPP programme in the state in January 2006 with PRIA (Society for Participatory Research in Asia) as the management agency. The 2nd Phase, proposed to commence in July 2007, seeks to extend this programme to engage more civil society organisations in government implemented pro-poor programmes through DFID grant support.
Interested NGOs/CSOs working on enhancing accountability, responsiveness and transparency for poverty reduction may submit their EoIs. Projects for building capacities of and/or engaging other CSOs/CBOs/networks in implementation/advocacy and research of pro-poor government programmes/policies in the State are also encouraged to apply. Projects will be supported for a maximum period of one and a half years.
In order to be eligible to submit an EoI, the organisations must have:
- (a) at least seven years working experience in Orissa
- (b) FCRA clearance
- (c) previous experience of working on similar or related issues in Orissa.
Interested organisations may submit their EoIs along with:
- (a) a maximum four-page (A4 size) capability statement of the organisation covering organisational profile, contact details, legal status, technical and geographical experience, and annual budget
- (b) a maximum two-page project concept note clearly mentioning the background, rationale, objective, coverage, approach, strategy, time-frame and indicative summary budget.
EoIs must be submitted in printed hardcopy or softcopy by February 9, 2007 to: Ms Ruby Joseph, PRIA, 42, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi 110062. E-mail: ruby@pria.org Requests for Proposal (RFP) along with detailed terms of reference will be sent to the short-listed organisations only.
Orissa Civil Society and Poverty Programme: Phase I
About one-third of the world’s poor live in India. DFID's work in India is a crucial part of DFID’s efforts worldwide in elimination of poverty. DFID works with the Indian government, state governments and other development agencies to help achieve the objectives of India’s 10th Five Year Plan and reach the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
DFID’s work is focused in India on programmes at the national level and in four states. Orissa, with its high poverty headcount, its stated determination to improve the living condition of its people and its willingness to work with DFID, is one of these focus states.
The key objectives of DFID’s programme in Orissa for 2004-2008 are:
- 1. Poverty reduction through accountable governance and effective use of resources
- 2. A coordinated approach to human development so as to improve health and education outcomes, especially for the poor
- 3. Improved and sustainable rural livelihoods and economic growth opportunities for the poor.
Priority themes throughout all objectives are to strengthen social inclusion and address inequality; disaster risk reduction and supporting effective communications to tackle poverty.
DFID aims to develop partnerships with civil society organisations (CSOs) in order to help strengthen the capacity of poor people to articulate their needs, and to improve the policies that affect them. In particular, support to organisations that help strengthen the capacity of local organisations that represent the interests of poor and marginalized, and help them to articulate their concerns more effectively.
The objective of the Orissa Civil Society Poverty Programme (OCSPP) is to strengthen the capacity of civil society to enhance the voices of the poor in development processes and contribute to the accountability, responsiveness and transparency of public policies.
The programme time frame is December 2004 to December 2008 and it has a budget of £1.5 million
In the first phase, OCSPP is focusing on supporting initiatives to further strengthen the decentralisation process in the state. Currently no new civil society proposals are being considered. The next phase is expected to begin in early 2007.
The 11 CSO initiatives being covered under Phase 1 of the Programme are:
- Adivasi Vikas Samity: Project Title - Mainstreaming tribes and other people living in forest surrounding.
- Antodaya: Project Title - eliminating poverty through participation of civil society organisations.
- Gram Vikas: Project Title – Mantra – an approach for strengthening grassroots governance.
- ISED: Project Title - Strengthening role and functioning of civil society in Scheduled V areas of Orissa for effective implementation of PESA Act to ensure protection and restoration of livelihood sources for tribal communities.
- MODE: Project Title - Strengthening local governance and advocacy for better education.
- OMRAH: Project Title - Voicing women’s concern through women’s collective action.
- SADHANA: Project Title – Empowerment of persons with disabilities through group action and networking.
- Shakti: Project Title - Project Title - Empowerment of women Panchayatraj representatives.
- SPARC-DAWN: Project Title – Creation of institutional arrangements that mobilise urban poor to access safe housing and infrastructure.
- SPREAD: Project Title - Develop a model GP through people controlled process for micro level planning and advocacy for tribal self governance.
- Utkal Sevak Samaj: Project Title - Empowerment of CSOs to advance the status of women in Balangir District.
PRIA (Society for Participatory Research in Asia), New Delhi is working as the Implementing Agency on behalf of DFID under an Accountable Grant Arrangement. Their responsibilities include appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of the programme; strengthening CSO networks through capacity building of CSOs particularly on pro-poor advocacy and lesson learning of the experiences gained from the programme.
Last updated: 5 January 2007