Participants with Tongpang L Jamir, State Commissioner for PWDs, Theodore Yanthan, Secretary SCPD & Jt Secretary Social Welfare department along with resource persons from SELCO and SCPD officials.
Kohima, August 18 (MExN): 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.
An update received here stated that 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 keynote address, Tongpang L Jamir, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) said, “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.
Jamir further added that the cause of PWDs cannot be the State Commission 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.
Earlier, in his welcome note, Theodore Yanthan, Secretary, SCPD & Jt 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.
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 emjenmoa Jamir, CSR Manager, IDAN spoke on accessing CSR funding.
The programme was moderated by Roseline S, State lead, SELCO Foundation and vote of thanks was delivered by Kushem Yemjong, JSO, SCPD.
