These slides describe basics of non-governmental organizations in the context of Nepal. You will get to know about legal frameworks of NGOs also. Slides will focus from health perspective.

1. Group Members:
439. Dip Narayan
442. Meghraj
445. Mukesh
Presented by:
Group 12
BPH 26th Batch
Maharajgunj Medical Campus
Institute of Medicine, TU
Kathmandu, Nepal
Assignment
Subject: International Health
Assigned by: Assistant Prof. Prem Basel
Date of presentation: 5th Apr 2016
Expected duration: 30
mins.

2. Learning Objectives
• To get acquainted with history of NGOs in Nepal
• To learn about following aspects of NGOs working in Nepal especially
in Health sector
 Formation process
 Working process
 Structural framework for NGO in Nepal
 Registration process
 Funding sources and
 Partnership mechanism
• To learn to discuss on NGOs related issues

3. Outline of presentation
• Background (Story of Oxfam)
• Introduction
• History in Nepal
• Principles of NGOs
• Key functions/activities of NGOs in health
• Relationship with GOs
• NGOs in International health
• Structural framework for NGOs in Nepal
• Mechanism of partnership
• Registration process of NGO in Nepal
• Role of Social Welfare Council (Nepal)
• Example: FPAN

4. Story of Oxfam
• There was widespread hunger in Greece due to blockade during World War II as the
country was occupied by German Army.
• In Britain a nationwide coalition of peace and relief groups organized a campaign to
petition the British government to allow humanitarian relief to Greece.
• Professor Gilbert Murray and the Rev. R. T. Milford of Oxford University, Edith Pye, and a
few others, who had prior experience with volunteer work, established a relief
committee in October 1942.
• The following year the coalition registered as a charity under the name Oxford
Committee for Famine Relief (Oxfam).
• Along with other organizations the committee approached the government to ask it to
allow humanitarian relief to Greece and other blockaded countries.
• It also organized a famine relief fund to which citizens could donate and organized local
support committees around the country.
• While many organizations wound up their efforts at war’s end, Oxfam continued its
activities.
Source: NGOs in International Politics, Shamima Ahmed and David M. Potter, 2006, ISBN: 978-1-56549-230-1 pb

5. Story of Oxfam cont.……
• Following the war Oxfam focused its attention outside Europe, beginning with a clothing
and supplies operation to Middle East refugees in 1948.
• It has grown over the last half century, becoming one of the most widely recognized
private relief and development organizations in the world.
• In 1995 Oxfam transformed itself from a British NGO into a transnational federation—
Oxfam International.
• It now has member chapters in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• It is one of the Big Eight federations that control about half of all NGO relief assistance.
• Member organizations cooperate but remain formally independent of one another.
• While Oxfam’s coordinating secretariat remains in Oxford, Oxfam International has
lobbying offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Brussels, and Geneva. Its American
advocacy offices lobby not only the US government but also the World Bank, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the UN.
Source: NGOs in International Politics, Shamima Ahmed and David M. Potter, 2006, ISBN: 978-1-56549-230-1 pb

6. Introduction
An NGO is a “private organization that pursues activities to relieve
suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment,
provide basic social services, or undertake community development.”
-Michael Edwards and Alan Fowler / World Bank (Operational Director 14.70)
Some alternative terms used for NGOs
 Volunteer sector
 Transnational social movement organizations
 Private voluntary organizations
 Non-state actors (NSA's)

7. History of NGOs in Nepal
• The history of social welfare service in Nepal is as old as the society itself.
• The traditional social entities such as Guthi (trust), Parma (labour exchange
system), dhikur (saving/credit), etc. can be taken as important social
institutions created even before the unification of Nepal in 1769
• The number of such entities is believed as many as 200,000 in Nepal. Due to
miniscule in nature and scattered in an uncoordinated way their roles have
not been explored much
• In earlier years ,these social institutions were governed by the philosophy of
religious values which became a part of the daily life of the people.
• Therefore the philosophy of administration both at the government level and
social institutions was based on religious principle

8. Modern NGOs
• In 1926, Shree Chandra Kamadhenu Charkha Mahaguthi was created
which was the first modern NGO in Nepal as a social organization for the
delivery of services other than the government.
• After 20 years, Paropakar Sanstha came as second modern social
organization which was followed by other couple of NGOs in 1950.
• The current number of NGOs in Nepal is estimated to be around 37,000
as compared to 220 in 1990.
• This shows that the number of NGOs began to proliferate only after
1990s. Normally these organizations are registered in District
Administration Office and apply for affiliation with SWC.
• Out of the total registered NGOs, 18,825 are affiliated with Social Welfare
Council (SWC, 2006)

9. Patterns of NGO growth in Nepal
1 4 37 220
18825
20222
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
NumberofregisteredNGOs
Year

10. Principles Governing NGO Behavior
 External engagement is critical.
 Constituency ownership of development is as important as tangible output.
 Performance is socially constructed making it complex and dynamic.
 Values count among staff and volunteers.
 NGO actions need to be politically aware and sensitive.
 Civic legitimacy and public trust must be invested in – social capital.
 Resources have a steering effect that must be balanced with civic position,
organizational identity and rootedness in the community.

11. NGOs’ Key Health Activities
NGOs’ HEALTH
STRATEGY
MACRO-TASKS
• Policy advocacy
• Public education
• Social mobilization
• Monitoring compliance
• Capacity building
• Lobbying
• Research and innovation
MICRO-TASKS
• Material services
• Health services
• Finance services
• Capacity building:
communities, CBOs, local
government
• Process facilitation
• Fostering links
• Community Mobilization
SUPPORTS INFORMS
STRENGTHENED LOCAL
INSTITUTIONS
IMPROVEMENTS IN PHYSICAL WELL-
BEING
EMPOWERMENT OF COMMUNITIES
AND INDIVIDUALS
STRENGTHENED GOV’T
INSTITUTIONS
REFORM OF PUBLIC POLICIES
Adapted from Michael Edwards, Striking a Balance

12. Shift in Strategies and Roles of NGOs
0
14
1996
2010
2010
1996
Welfare and Delivery
(the global soup kitchen)
Strengthening People’s
Organizations and Movements
Learning for
Leverage
Strategic change
Information
Innovation
Data for Development
HIGH
LOW

13. Current Issues for NGOs
• How can we more effectively convert health knowledge into action at the country
level? Behavior Change
• What coordination mechanisms are best to more effectively to scale-up program
efforts? Alliances and Partnerships
• How to use data more effectively to improve policies and remove political
obstacles that impede health for all? Policy Advocacy
• How can we deliver services NOW to those who need them most? Community
Case Management

14. Types of NGOs based on working levelNationalNGOs
• Functions with broad
geographical coverage
• Registered in District
Administrative Office
(DAO), District
Development Committee
(DDC) and affiliated with
Social Welfare Council
(SWC)
• May be welfare oriented or
professional organization
District/VDClevelNGOs
• Formed under local
leadership
• Serve as a catalyst for local
issues
• Many I/NGOs work
through these NGOs
• Focused on many aspects
such as health, economic
empowerment, education,
agricultures, rural
development, energy,
sustainable development,
human rights, women
empowerment, etc.
CommunityBasedOrganizations
• Indigenous, local initiatives
• Also known as self- help
groups or users groups
• Characterized by social,
religious, development,
ethnic, e.g. Dhikuti-
Thakali, Gurungs,Guthi-
Newar, Rodi- Gurung,
Bheja- Magar, Kipat-
Limbus

15. EDPs/NGOs system under MoH
UNs
Banks Bilateral
Nepal Ministry of Health
District NGO
NGOs CBOs
Communities
Source: Role of CBOs, NGOs, NGOs in the district and public private partnership, presentation by Ramchandra Silwal, 5th Apr, 2009

16. Working Sectors of NGOs as Categorized by SWC
 AIDS and abuse control
 Child welfare
 Community and rural development
 Educational development
 Environmental protection
 Handicapped and disabled service
 Health Services
 Moral development
 Women services
 Youth services

17. NGOs registration process in Nepal
• Any group of 7 or person with Nepalese citizenship can go for
registration of NGO.
• NGO is registered in District administrative Organization.
• Register NGO under SWC is essential to acquire other particular
amenities and tax accorded by the government
• While registration the name must be identify with address, source of
funding, objectives of NGO and names of management committee
members.
• Annually you have to renew the NGO.
• Registering NGO must pass on to the Constitution format which includes
eight chapters.
Source: http://www.companyregistrationnepal.com/ngo-registration-process-in-nepal.html

18. GO and NGO Relations
• NGOs have become an important development actors in Nepal.
• Increasing role and numbers after democracy
• Contributing to national plan, program and policy of the GoN
• Not to replace government system but to strengthen
• Work in close coordination, cooperation
• As a development partner (considered in Ninth Plan(1997-2002))
• Catalytic role of NGOs in development
• Recognized as development partners both for complimenting and supplementing the development
activities and delivery of basic services.
• Committed to mobilize NGOs in a way to make important contribution in the socio-economic
development
• Accordingly, NGOs were encouraged to work backward communities particularly in
underdeveloped and remote regions.
• They had been motivated to work as facilitators vis-à-vis local institutions including District
Development Committee (DDC) and Village Development Committee (VDC),municipalities,
educational institutions, and various community organizations and consumers

19. Mechanisms of GO NGO partnership
• To facilitate for the partnership, the government brought local Self-
governance act 1999 and local self-governance regulations 2000 which
broadens the scope of NGOs’ involvement both in plan formulation
and implementation process.

20. Structural framework for NGO in Nepal
• Societies Registration Act, 1959
• National Directives Act 1962,
• Foreign Currency Exchange Act 1962,
• Muluki Ain 1962 (Civil Laws), and
• Company Act and Regulations 1965
However, these legal provisions were not adequate so,
• Sangh Sangstha Ain 2034 B.S. (Organization and Association Act 1977)
• Social Service National Co-ordination Council Act 1977(SSNCC Act) which
were the important endeavors for governing NGOs in Nepal.
Two organizations – District Administration Office and the Social Welfare Council are major institutional arrangements for governing NGOs

21. • The Acts specified the role of NGOs in local development efforts.
• The partnership among these organizations would be either of the voluntary
contribution of NGO resources, or in a participatory basis between GO and
NGOs, and/or work as contracting agent of the line agencies.
• To develop partnership between public sector organizations and non-profit
organizations the
• Legal instruments such as ‘VDC Act 1992’, ‘Municipality Act 1992’ and ‘DDC
Act 1992’ were enacted and specified the role of NGOs in local development
efforts.
• Social Welfare Council (SWC) is a governmental bureau for coordinating,
facilitating, and controlling the NGOs/INGOs working in Nepal.
• The organization and association act, 1977 enables registration of all kind of
voluntary organizations other than governmental or private organizations.
• The act also clearly states that the proposed organization should be non-
profit and the non-political.
Structural framework for NGO cont.

22. Role and Functions of SWC
• Promote, facilitate, co-ordinate, monitor, supervise and evaluate NGO activities;
• Provide possible assistance for the establishment, promotion, extension and
• Strengthening of NGO activities;
• Function as a coordinating body between GON and NGOs;
• Advise and suggest to the government in the formulation of plans, policies, and
programs related to social welfare and service sector;
• Establish trusts or funds for social welfare activities and encourage others to do the
same;
• Conduct training, undertake studies and research on social welfare subjects;
• Do the physical verification of NGO assets;
• Undertake necessary measures for the execution of the aims and objectives of the act;
• To avoid duplication and maintain co-ordination among various socialorganizations;
• Enter into agreement or contract with foreign and international agencies; and
• Make an effort in procuring national and international assistance and use it judiciously.
Source: Social Welfare Council Act 1992, Article 9

23. Role of NGO Federation
• Develop and enforce “NGO Code of Conduct” among member NGOs to
make them more accountable, transparent, and trustworthy so as to foster
the positive image of Nepali NGO sector;
• Promote and develop capacity-building activities for empowerment of the
member organizations in management field, which will help them to have a
clear vision on their program/project goals, objectives, planning, designing,
and implementation).
• Act as an advocacy and pressure group organization for its members;
• To develop and conduct management-related capacity-building activities
for its members

24. Issues and challenges
• Lack of communication between GO/N and NGOs
• Barriers to professional development
• Pressure on work, programs, staffing, selection of working areas
• Conflict with Government interest (not always)

25. ??? Discussions ???
Positive
• Local leadership?
• NGOs contribution to GO/N policy and
plans?
• NGOs role in empowering people,
specially rural, poor, marginalized and
socially deprived populations?
• Balanced the development?
• Introduced new technologies?
• Mobilizing local and external resources?
• NGOs contribution in national
development?
Needing improvement
• NGOs blamed as dollor kheti?
• Destroy indigenous systems,
culture and religions?
• Not transparent?
• Not accountable?
• Donor dependent?
• Not sustainable?

27. Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN)
 The first and a leading national NGO devoted to SRHR, which was
established in 1959
 Started family planning and SRH programs in Nepal, becoming Member
Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
in 1969
 FPAN has been complementing and supplementing the national health
and population programs after the government launched its own Family
Planning and Maternal and Child Health Project in 1969.
 FPAN has 480 full-time professional and 11,000 volunteers at
community levels.
Adapted from http://www.fpan.org/article-aboutus

28. Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN)
 FPAN's current programs are part of Strategic Plan (2010-15), which are
focused on 5As: Adolescent, Safe Abortion, HIV/AIDS, Advocacy and
Access. Gender is a cross cutting issue in all 5As
 FPAN serves 10 million people in 42 districts and 1,110 Village
Development Committees (VDCs) through 303 static clinics (21 Family
health centers; 114 community clinics and 168 Community based
organization) and has 51 Mobile teams.
 Its provides integrated Packages of essential services (IPES) defined by
IPPF which includes counseling, family planning, safe abortion, RTIs/STI,
HIV/AIDS, gynecological service, prenatal and post natal, Sexual and
GVB services.
Adapted from http://www.fpan.org/article-aboutus

29. Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN)
 FPAN is a member of the Reproductive Health Coordination Committee
of the Department of Health Services and sub-committees chaired by
Family Health Division (e.g., Adolescent Health Sub-Committee, Safe
Abortion Sub-Committee, Safe motherhood Sub-Committee, RH FP
Logistics sub-committee).
 FPAN has been chairing the NGO Coordinating Council (NGOCC)
including 32 I/NGOs, bilateral and multilateral UN Agencies involved in
SRHR since 1996.
 FPAN has mobilized advocacy groups from NGOCC for advocacy on CSE
and financing of SRH.
Adapted from http://www.fpan.org/article-aboutus

30. Suggested Readings
1. Non-Governmental Organizations and Development, David Lewis and Nazneen Kanji, Routledge
Perspectives on Development, 2009
2. The World Bank and Non-Governmental Organizations: The Limits of Apolitical Development, Paul J.
Nelson, 1995
3. Non-Governmental Organizations and Health in Developing Countries, Andrew Green, Ann Matthias,
Palgrave Macmillan UK (1997)