SCPD and SELCO Foundation organise workshop in Kohima to strengthen CSOs in Nagaland on governance, statutory compliance, financial management and CSR funding.
KOHIMA — A workshop on strengthening CSOs in Nagaland, statutory compliance, financial management and organisational systems was organised by the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) in partnership with SELCO Foundation in Kohima on Tuesday.
The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nagaland on key aspects of organisational governance, statutory compliance, financial management, internal systems and access to funding.
Delivering the keynote address, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Tongpang L Jamir, said that Nagaland has several genuine and committed organisations, NGOs, societies and Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) working tirelessly at the grassroots level for the rights, welfare, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
However, he regretted that many of these organisations, despite being aware of the lived realities of persons with disabilities, continue to face serious challenges in accessing financial resources.
He said that many NGOs lack adequate technical knowledge, institutional capacity and guidance to navigate various compliance and funding requirements.
Jamir further stated that the cause of persons with disabilities cannot be the responsibility of the SCPD or the Social Welfare department alone, adding that their rights, dignity, inclusion and empowerment require concerted and collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.
Strengthening the institutional and financial capacity of NGOs and DPOs is not merely an organisational concern but an essential part of strengthening the disability rights movement itself, he added.
In his welcome address, Theodore Yanthan, Secretary, SCPD and Joint Secretary, Social Welfare department, Government of Nagaland, welcomed the SELCO Foundation and participating NGOs, stating that such interventions were needed to help organisations establish clear governance structures and strengthen their work for persons with disabilities at the grassroots level.
He encouraged the participants to make full use of the opportunity in a practical and comprehensive manner and advised them to share their experiences and challenges, identify gaps within their organisations and work towards becoming more accountable and sustainable.
Technical sessions providing practical guidance on strengthening institutional processes, maintaining statutory and financial compliance, improving documentation and internal controls, accessing CSR funding opportunities and developing actionable plans for organisational improvement were facilitated by Debasish Achajee of Seven Sisters Development Assistance (SesTA).
Temjenmoa Jamir, CSR Manager, IDAN, also spoke on accessing CSR funding.
The programme was moderated by Roseline S, State Lead, SELCO Foundation, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Kushem Yemjong, JSO, SCPD.