Empowering Grassroots is a national capacity-building initiative targeted at managing, educating and empowering community-based organizations (CBOs) to optimize their impact on the ground. Under the project ‘Empowering Grassroots,’ CBOs are trained by industry experts from respected Indian and foreign organizations, on critical issues related to the country’s growth sector such as scalability, efficiency, connectivity, resource mobilization, and governance. Handholding workshops and face-to-face learning sessions are held all year round to help CBOs overcome their day-to-day organizational problems successfully, helping them generate the best social return on investment (SROI).
Empowering Grassroots is not only a move to strengthen the bottom of India’s socio-economic ladder but also an opportunity to add openness and responsibility to the grassroots level of the development sector’s operations.
The growth of India’s non-profit sector has been phenomenal over the last two decades. India likely has the world’s highest number of registered nongovernmental, non-profit organizations. Official figures placed the figure at 3.3 million. From emergency programs to literacy campaigns, from welfare projects to housing organizations, grassroots NGOs operate in various fields that affect the everyday lives of deprived populations around the world. Such NGOs are able to interact directly with the people and participate in the development process of the groups in whom they operate, and therefore have the potential to bring about long-term change. As such, the sector has made a significant contribution to the cycle of nation-building.
Ensuring the viability of projects requires a reorientation of NGOs that is focused on developing their capacity to achieve profitability. This is not an easy transformation forcing NGOs to revisit and update their program structures, preparing, mobilizing funds, handling funds and implementing services effectively. Such NGOs do need to be driven in order to be able to recognize and respond with the evolving socio-political and economic trends domestically and internationally that affect them. Smile Foundation launched Inspiring Grassroots to train and encourage grassroots NGOs in the country to tackle these concerns and ultimately strive to achieve sustainable growth at the grassroots and neighborhood level.
Empowering Grassroots – Inspiring Stories
Jami Khan
Jami Khan himself became an orphan in his childhood after losing his father. He, who wanted to become a mechanic, worked as small labor in Gujarat. Jami Khan did not always get the best of things because the sole support of the family his father passed away when he was young. Jami Khan case came to light during a community survey and he was enrolled for Training Program. The employability training provided at the centre helped him to enhance his skills and he helps him also regained his lost confidence. Jami Khan acquired a job after his training and is very happy to be able to make a valuable contribution to his family’s financial well-being.Akash
During our upbringing we didn't get the best of things, nor did my mother. She sacrificed a lot.During our upbringing we didn't get the best of things, nor did my mother. She made much of a sacrifice. She does so still now. Now it is time I started paying back. His dream is to give his mother her own home. For Akash who recently got a job and is now earning to support his family, this is not a distant dream. Akash completed the course offered by the organization and built up his personality and skills, keeping him comfortable as a result. Akash is on the path to soon be understanding his dreams and the vision of his parents. He is proud of himself and so is his father, mother, grandmother, and siblings of his achievements.
Nitin Rawal
I found a new and happy life for my familyDue to financial constraints I thought of suicide with the family. I also had a van to carry the children. It also had to be sold because of financial constraints and creditors' debts. The debt and the torture of the creditors did not allow me to live. Eventually, I was introduced to BPY's organization. Paid and arranged for me a school van. My wife also joined the work of being a cook. My income increased. After 4 years of work and assistance by the organization, I was able to purchase home.
I have found a new life. I am living in a 2BHK house with my family. My children also getting education by the organization. Today I have my own van, home, and a happy family.
Mukesh-Sumitra
Pledges solidarity supportMukesh, who was a businessman of Akik. However, due to the economic downturn and fatal illness of silicosis in Akik industry, he became an economic ruin. As soon as the information of this family was received by organization, the responsibility of Mukesh and his wife, Sumitra, was taken over by the organization. Produced the film "THE HEART OF DARKNESS" and sent it to the state and the central government reporting on the condition of the victims. Mukesh also suffers from silicosis which does not allow him to work, despite of the treatement Mukesh died and next year Sumitraban died. The institute took initiative for the education and support for the children.
Supporters Speak Read More
Krunal Shah
Gujarat
I believe that education is a tool that empowers individuals, but above all, it is the right of every child. Due to their credibility and long record of successful work in the field of human rights…