The Resource Alliance and The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation have announced the call for entries to the “India NGO Awards – 2008. The last date for filing the applications is 4th October 2008.

The India NGO Awards are unique and prestigious for organizations in India’s non-profit sector. The awards aim to promote financial and organizational sustainability of civil society and strengthen community support for their work.

Through a stringent search and selection process the award identifies exemplary non-profit organizations across the country that can serve as role models for others in the sector. Constituted in 2006, the India NGO Awards have witnessed a tremendous response from the sector and have worked as a catalyst to spread awareness on the need for good practices and standards in resource mobilization, accountability and transparency to them. Driving the cause to grassroot level, applicants will also be invited to participate in customized workshops on resource mobilization and other areas.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch of the 2008 Awards, Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy, CEO & Chief Mentor, Infosys Technologies Ltd. said “Today, all organizations work in a competitive and volatile environment. Improved corporate governance and transparency helps companies increase their revenue and build reputation. There certainly is a business case for NGOs to follow corporations in these fine practices. NGOs have realized that collaboration with responsible companies can be effective in enhancing their sustainability objectives. This is only possible if both sectors invest in good practices. The India NGO Award covers these critical areas for sustainability of organizations. I would encourage every NGO to be a part of this process”.

“The ‘Indian NGO Awards’ is a unique and much awaited initiative. In the short period of two years, the Award has been able to attract a diverse group of stakeholders to support it. VOs / NGOs are enthusiastic to be a part of the process, which is evident from the increased number of entries last year. Objectives of the Award have synergy with the National Policy on the Voluntary Sector (2007), piloted by the Planning Commission. I am happy to have been part of the Advisory Committee for the Awards.

I wish to congratulate the Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation and the Resource Alliance for their efforts and commitment towards making the sector more sustainable and accountable said, Dr. Syeda Hameed, Member, Planning Commission and Jury Member, India NGO Awards, 2007.

All organizations registered in India as trusts, Societies and Section 25 companies that have been working for a minimum of 5 years towards social and environmental transformation are eligible to apply for the India NGO Awards. Organizations that propagate political or religious doctrines are excluded from participation.

Quote from the CEO, The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation, Don Mohanlal – ‘ A key objective of the Awards is to place the civil society sector in the national mindset as a leading force of progress and change. Significantly, the India NGO Awards programme resonates with significant portions of the National Policy for the Voluntary Sector 2006.’

In the words of Simon Collings, CEO, Resource Alliance, “These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the work of the civil society sector in India. We had a very high standard of entries and stiff competition last year and are looking forwards for some great and incompatible entries this year as well.”

The evaluation of the organizations is done on the basis of effective and sustainable mobilization of resources from the local community, demonstration of efficient management of resources, good governance practices, transparency, accountability and the impact of services it provides to the community.

Entries would be divided into three categories based on their annual budgets-

ü Small- Annual budget of under Rs.50 lakh

ü Medium- Annual budget between Rs.50 lakh and Rs.5 crore

ü Large- Annual budget over Rs.5 crore

Three finalists per category are selected from four regions- north, south, east and west and invited to the final National Award ceremony to be held in Delhi, where one winner will be announced in each category. The three national winners in each category will receive a trophy and cash prize of Rs.4,00,000 each.

Appreciating the effort, Mr. Anshu K. Gupta, Founder Director, Goonj which was selected NGO of the Year 2007 said that, “These awards have promoted the cause of Non-profit organizations like ours and have given us a platform to adopt transparent and accountable systems of governance and management,”

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About The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation

The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation is a private Indian Foundation with a mission is to develop and promote institutions and initiatives that make a substantial impact on poverty, deprivation and disempowerment of the human and natural environment. The Foundation’s approach is long-term, strategic and leveraged to bring about change through multi-stakeholder collaboration, both within India and internationally. Their initiatives are socially inclusive, with special emphasis on issues that involve women and children and they believe in the involvement all elements of the community.

About Resource Alliance

The Resource Alliance is an international not for profit working globally to build the capacity of civil society organizations towards greater financial sustainability. This is done through workshops, seminars, accredited courses that are run in partnership with business schools and Consulting & Advisory services. Headquartered in London, the organization has offices in Malaysia, India and Uganda with additional staff members in Brazil, Argentina and Prague.