FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS
There will be some resistance to funding projects in India from developed nations as India is seen, with China, as an emerging economy that should be less reliant on external financial support.
Some organisations, such as the UK Lottery, will provide funding for education, health and other projects only if local or central government is involved – as supporters or co-funders of projects.
In a recession, funding community projects overseas may not be seen as a priority by individuals, community organisations or businesses.
Very few, if any, organisations will respond to mass mailings or hopeful letters or emails to request funding. It is best to create a relationship with people from the organisations concerned.
Gap Year Students and Volunteers
Many students will take a year out from education before going to university or college. There are many organisations set up to support placements with NGOs overseas. Some organisations offer placements for adults as well – these are just some of them:
Many schools, colleges and universities will support particular communities and encourage students and teachers to take part in volunteering or exchange programmes. The University of Cambridge (UK) and the University of California, Berkeley (USA) have a Social Entrepreneurship Scheme with Tata: www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2008071102
UK Funders
• The Big Lottery (www.biglotteryfund.org.uk) is possibly the biggest funder of community projects in India. £60million was invested over 2 years in international projects through the International Communities and International Small Grants programmes with a further £12 million to help Tsunami long-term reconstruction. These programmes are now closed but international grants will be re-launched sometime next year.
• The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) (www.dfid.gov.uk/funding/) funds UK organisations to support projects overseas. An annual Civil Society Challenge Fund grant is available for advocacy projects in India. There have been other grants such as Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF) which was available just during 2007.
Other Funders
• The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialised agency of the United Nations IFAD www.ifad.org
• The European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) funds specific emergencies and events such as the tsunami, floods in Bangladesh and a Disaster Preparedness Programme. (www.delind.ec.europa.eu/en/echo/introduction.htm)
• Large, fund-raising organisations such as Action Aid (www.actionaid.org.uk) and Oxfam (www.oxfam.org.uk) support projects around the world, including India where they have offices and staff.
• The American India Foundation has invested in over 100 Indian non-governmental organisations while raising about $50 million since its inception. www.aifoundation.org
Oz Osborne
Sustainable Living Dec 08