Sunday, February 23, 2025

30 International Charities Funding Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment for India NGOs based at Odisha

30 international charities specifically funding gender equality and women’s empowerment for NGOs based in Odisha, India, as of February 23, 2025. However, I can offer a solid starting point by listing some prominent international charities and organizations that are known to support gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives in India, including those that may extend their efforts to Odisha-based NGOs. I’ll also include some context about their work and suggest how they might connect with Odisha-based organizations. Since Odisha has a vibrant NGO ecosystem addressing women’s issues, these international entities often collaborate with local partners there.

Below is a list of notable international charities and organizations that fund or support such causes in India. Note that while not all may have a specific focus on Odisha, many operate nationally or regionally and could potentially fund or partner with Odisha-based NGOs. I’ll aim to reach as close to 30 as possible with available information and explain where gaps remain.



International Charities and Organizations Supporting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in India (Including Potential Odisha Connections)


  1. Oxfam International
    • Focus: Works on gender justice, ending violence against women, and economic empowerment.

    • India Presence: Oxfam India operates in states like Odisha, tackling issues like gender-based violence and livelihoods (e.g., post-cyclone recovery efforts).

    • Odisha Link: Supports local NGOs in Odisha for women’s rights and disaster resilience.


  2. Global Fund for Women
    • Focus: Provides grants to women-led organizations globally for gender equality and human rights.

    • India Presence: Funds grassroots women’s groups across India.

    • Odisha Link: Could support Odisha NGOs focusing on rural women’s empowerment or anti-violence initiatives.


  3. UN Women
    • Focus: Advances gender equality through policy advocacy, programs, and funding.

    • India Presence: Works on economic empowerment, ending violence, and leadership programs.

    • Odisha Link: Partners with local governments and NGOs in states like Odisha for projects like safe cities or women’s entrepreneurship.


  4. CARE International
    • Focus: Gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and education.

    • India Presence: CARE India operates in Odisha, notably with projects like the Pathways initiative for women farmers.

    • Odisha Link: Directly engages with Odisha NGOs for gender-transformative agricultural programs.


  5. Plan International
    • Focus: Advances girls’ rights and equality through education and health programs.

    • India Presence: Plan India works in multiple states, including Odisha, on child marriage prevention and girls’ education.

    • Odisha Link: Funds and collaborates with local NGOs to empower adolescent girls.


  6. Women’s World Banking
    • Focus: Financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women.

    • India Presence: Supports microfinance and women entrepreneurship initiatives.

    • Odisha Link: Potential funding for Odisha NGOs working on women-led financial cooperatives.


  7. Vital Voices Global Partnership
    • Focus: Leadership training and mentoring for women.

    • India Presence: Supports women leaders and entrepreneurs across India.

    • Odisha Link: Could fund leadership programs for women through Odisha-based NGOs.


  8. The Asia Foundation
    • Focus: Women’s empowerment, governance, and economic opportunities.

    • India Presence: Works on gender equity projects in India.

    • Odisha Link: May partner with Odisha NGOs on trafficking prevention or women’s rights advocacy.


  9. ActionAid International
    • Focus: Women’s rights, poverty alleviation, and social justice.

    • India Presence: ActionAid India supports women’s collectives in Odisha.

    • Odisha Link: Funds local efforts against gender-based violence and for land rights.


  10. Save the Children International
    • Focus: Gender equality in education and health for children.

    • India Presence: Active in Odisha with programs for girls’ education and protection.

    • Odisha Link: Partners with NGOs to combat child marriage and promote gender equity.


  11. Ford Foundation
    • Focus: Social justice, gender equality, and economic empowerment.

    • India Presence: Funds Indian NGOs for systemic change.

    • Odisha Link: Potential grants for Odisha organizations addressing gender disparities.


  12. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    • Focus: Women’s health, economic empowerment, and agriculture.

    • India Presence: Supports initiatives like women’s self-help groups.

    • Odisha Link: Could fund Odisha NGOs in health or livelihoods programs.


  13. Heifer International
    • Focus: Women’s empowerment through sustainable agriculture.

    • India Presence: Works in rural India with women farmers.

    • Odisha Link: Possible support for Odisha-based rural women’s cooperatives.


  14. International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
    • Focus: Research and programs on gender equality.

    • India Presence: Has an office in New Delhi and works nationwide.

    • Odisha Link: Could collaborate with Odisha NGOs for evidence-based gender projects.


  15. Mama Cash
    • Focus: Feminist funding for women’s rights organizations.

    • India Presence: Supports women-led initiatives in India.

    • Odisha Link: Potential grants for Odisha feminist NGOs.


  16. Girl Effect
    • Focus: Empowering adolescent girls through education and media.

    • India Presence: Runs programs targeting young girls.

    • Odisha Link: Could fund Odisha NGOs focused on girls’ empowerment.


  17. Women for Women International
    • Focus: Support for marginalized women in conflict-affected areas.

    • India Presence: Limited but expanding in South Asia.

    • Odisha Link: Possible support for women in Odisha’s tribal areas.


  18. Rise Up
    • Focus: Leadership development for women and girls.

    • India Presence: Works globally, including India.

    • Odisha Link: Could fund leadership training through Odisha NGOs.


  19. Match International Women’s Fund
    • Focus: Supports women’s innovation and rights.

    • India Presence: Funds women’s organizations in India.

    • Odisha Link: Potential support for Odisha-based women’s rights groups.


  20. Womanity Foundation
    • Focus: Gender equality through education and land rights.

    • India Presence: Active in India with land ownership programs.

    • Odisha Link: Could partner with Odisha NGOs on women’s land rights.


  21. Amnesty International
    • Focus: Human rights, including women’s rights.

    • India Presence: Campaigns against gender violence.

    • Odisha Link: May support Odisha NGOs in advocacy efforts.


  22. Mercy Corps
    • Focus: Economic empowerment and resilience for women.

    • India Presence: Works in disaster-prone areas like Odisha.

    • Odisha Link: Funds recovery programs with a gender lens.


  23. Oxfam GB
    • Focus: Gender justice and economic empowerment.

    • India Presence: Supports Oxfam India’s work in Odisha.

    • Odisha Link: Funds local NGOs for women’s projects.


  24. USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development)
    • Focus: Gender equality, health, and livelihoods.

    • India Presence: Active in Odisha with women’s empowerment programs.

    • Odisha Link: Funds local NGOs for clean energy and agriculture.


  25. Norwegian Church Aid
    • Focus: Gender justice and community development.

    • India Presence: Supports women’s rights initiatives.

    • Odisha Link: Potential funding for Odisha NGOs on gender equality.


  26. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
    • Focus: Gender equality and sustainable development.

    • India Presence: Funds Indian NGOs broadly.

    • Odisha Link: Could support Odisha organizations via national partners.


  27. Hivos
    • Focus: Women’s empowerment and social change.

    • India Presence: Works on gender and economic justice.

    • Odisha Link: Potential grants for Odisha NGOs.


  28. Concern Worldwide
    • Focus: Poverty reduction with a gender focus.

    • India Presence: Operates in India’s poorest regions.

    • Odisha Link: May fund Odisha NGOs in tribal areas.


  29. Aga Khan Foundation
    • Focus: Women’s empowerment through education and health.

    • India Presence: Active in rural India.

    • Odisha Link: Could support Odisha NGOs in community development.


  30. Open Society Foundations
    • Focus: Human rights and gender equality.

    • India Presence: Funds advocacy and empowerment projects.

    • Odisha Link: Potential support for Odisha-based rights groups.



Notes and Limitations


  • Odisha-Specific Focus: While some organizations (e.g., CARE India, Plan India, Oxfam India, USAID) have documented work in Odisha, others operate nationally or regionally and may not explicitly list Odisha-based NGOs as partners. Their funding often flows through Indian intermediaries or national programs that include Odisha.

  • Data Gaps: I couldn’t confirm exact Odisha-based NGO partnerships for all 30 due to limited public data as of February 23, 2025. Some organizations might fund Odisha NGOs indirectly through broader India-focused grants.

  • Suggestions: To identify specific Odisha-based NGOs they fund, you could explore local organizations like Gram Vikas, CYSD (Centre for Youth and Social Development), or Aaina, which focus on women’s empowerment and often receive international support.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

NGO Regulation Under FCRA

NGO Regulation Under FCRA

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) warns NGOs using foreign funds without a valid FCRA license will face penalties under the FCRA, 2010 amended in 2020. 

What is Foreign Contribution Regulation Act? 

  • About: The FCRA, enacted in 1976 during the Emergency, governs the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and organizations in India. 
    • It ensures that such contributions are used only for legitimate purposes and do not compromise national interest. 
  • Amendments: It was amended in 2010 and 2020 to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of foreign contributions in India. 
  • Validity and Renewal: FCRA registration is valid for five years, with NGOs needing to apply for renewal six months before expiry. 
  • Amendments Made in 2020: 
    • Suspension: MHA is empowered to suspend an NGO's FCRA registration for up to 360 days if it is found in violation of the FCRA, 2010. 
      • Aadhaar identification was made mandatory for all office-bearers, directors, or key functionaries of NGOs. 
    • Bar on Public Servants: The amendment prohibits public servants from receiving foreign contributions. 
    • Administrative Expenses: NGOs are now restricted to using a maximum of 20% of foreign funds for administrative purposes. 
      • Earlier, they could use up to 50% for administrative expenses. 
    • Prohibition on Sub-Granting: NGOs receiving foreign funds are prohibited from transferring these funds to other NGOs or entities. 
    • Designated Bank Account: NGOs are required to open a designated FCRA account exclusively at a branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) in New Delhi. 
  • Prohibited Activities: The applicant must not represent fictitious entities or engage in religious conversions. 
    • They should have no history of communal tension, disharmony, or seditious activities. 
    • The FCRA bars foreign funds for candidates, journalists, media, judges, government servants, politicians, and political organizations. 

Monday, December 16, 2024

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Call for Grant Application

*CALL FOR GRANT APPLICATION*
*Bandhutva: Supporting Civil Society Organisations*
National Foundation for India (NFI) is pleased to announce another cohort of its initiative, Bandhutva, a program to resilient and diverse Civil Society for India”. Under the program in Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from *Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha* are invited to submit grant applications using the prescribed proforma available on our official website. 

*Grant Amount & Period*  
 The financial support will be up to Rs. 15 lakhs per year and the final grant will be decided based on the previous three years' overall audited utilization of budget. The period of support will be up to 3 years.

*Who is eligible*
# Registered CSO working in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha with at least 4 years of functioning 
# Annual budget not exceeding Rs.25 lakhs 
# Should have a team of at least 4 members
# CSOs led by an individual/group who are themselves from disadvantaged social categories (Dalit, tribal, minorities especially women) will be given preference.  
_*Last Date To Apply:  Sunday, 15th December, 2024*_
*In case of any clarifications required, please contact at ipsa@nfi.org.in*
For Applying & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) visit https://www.nfi.org.in/bandhutva-call-grant-application
You can also apply through the the link: https://nfi.org.in/bandhutva

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Minority Scholarships

*Minority Scholarships*
*Starting from July2023*

🤔 *Student belonging to minority community viz Muslim, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh & Parsi* 
*Avail this amazing Scholarships by Central Government👨‍🎓👩‍🎓* 🇮🇳

👉For your info there are selected *85 Central Govt Institute viz IIT, NIT, IIIT, IIM, NID, NIFT & many more* in India, in which you (minorities) can study for free

😳😳 Get details about it here👇
👀Hindi: https://youtu.be/BZebRKszfow
👀English: https://youtu.be/2o6LHbSaZ1Y
 
⭕If you are studying Technical & Professional courses in these Institute then

👉Apply online at NSP for merit cum means scholarships for Minorities: https://scholarships.gov.in/

👉Eligibility: 
⭕50% above in last exam
⭕Family income: less than 2.5 lacs/year

E.g IIM MBA course fees is about 10 - 20 lacs, student will get full fees reimbursement

*👉Apply for it when portal starts in July 2023* 

🤔For any queries/ organizing Seminars on Scholarships
✍️ Aamir Nurle 
📩 scholarshipseuf@gmail.com

*📲Note: Share with all minority students* 
For all who dream to join IIMs, IITs but give up due to high fees & lack of awareness


GOODLIFE

Monday, April 24, 2023

HCLTech a leading IT company is conducting selection and recruitment drive for 12th/+2 sc/commerce students passed in the year 2022 / appeared 2023.

HCLTech a leading IT company is conducting selection and recruitment drive for 12th/+2  sc/commerce students passed in the year  2022 / appeared 2023. 
*Venue : District Employment Exchange Office, Bidyutpuri Colony, Near Engineering School, Berhampur*
Walk in with your 
1. Aadhar Card
2. 10th marksheet
3. 12th marksheet/admit card 
4. Passport Photo 
*Date - 27th April (Thursday)*
*Time -  10AM onwards*
For details contact : 9556781371
Click to register for exams  - https://bit.ly/HCLTB_Odisha

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Excellent IAS Academy, Bhubaneswar

 Excellent IAS Academy an initiative of Catholic Bishops Conference to prepare graduate and post graduate students for all for civil services. We have coached 85 students, both men and women candidates.Of which, this year 6 qualified prelims and appeared for OPSC Mains. 10 have got into govt services and another 15 part/fulltime into private/corporate sectors securing their financial independence while continue the civil service preparations.

This course fee has concession. Our faculty are primarily Delhi based.

It is opportunity for students to enter into services. Residential facilities are available. 

Admission from 1st May onwards for both Offline and Online Coaching. Batch starts from 20th June 2023

Start contacting us.







FCRA Roundtable 2023

 FCRA Roundtable 2023

Key Discussion Points: 

  • How to get FCRA registration, usual impediments and how to overcome them.

  • Government policy related to foreign donations and what NGOs need to understand about the same. 

  • What are the regulations and restrictions that apply to the funds for Registered Organizations? 

  • Why is Maintenance of Accounts important and how to go about it?

  • How to go about Audit of Accounts if you have registered under FCRA.

  • How to plan for and handle inspection by Intelligence Bureau.

  • Consequences of violating foreign donations law: Search and Seizure, Offences and Penalties.

  • What to do if you receive a notice for violation or show cause notice.

  • Various Foreign Funding Opportunities & Introduction Foreign Funding Agencies

  • Pathway to develop International Partnership/Collaboration m

Click here to Download Brochure for New Delhi

Click here to Download Brochure for Kolkata

Click here to Download Brochure for Mumbai

Click here to Download Brochure for Bangalore

Learning Investment:

Rs. 3500/-Per Participant (Fee includes Morning Break Fast, Lunch, High Tea, E-Material & Certificate of Participation)

For Support: 9510526835

Click to to pay the fees

www.ncdindia.org

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeItZuZY1Xr0JrRoV-6vdK38GBzc3eqk2f0Bw30tjpQEcojIg/viewform

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

danaVidya: A Free Resource to Support India’s Social Sector

 

Four specialised organisations have joined hands to launch danaVidya, a free vetted resource to help answer compliance and legal questions for NGOs and Corporate CSR Teams in India. danaVidya aims to assist them in deepening their impact and reaching even more beneficiaries, especially during the pandemic. This innovative solution uses a WhatsApp Chat Bot that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to answer user questions from its large database, covering topics such as Income Tax, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the newly launched Social Stock Exchange (SSE).

What is danaVidya?

danaVidya is a WhatsApp Chat Bot that uses a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to answer user questions from its large database. To get started with danaVidya, users simply have to say Hi to +91 7777035895 on Whatsapp or click the API. This chatbot was created by the Center for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP); Aria CFO Services, a CFO service for Social Enterprises; Glific, a WhatsApp-based open-source communication platform for NGOs and danamojo, India’s First Payment Solutions Platform for NGOs, which has onboarded 1,000+ NGOs.

danaVidya’s Coverage

The WhatsApp-based chatbot provides automated assistance to NGOs & Corporate CSR Teams. It covers questions related to Income Tax (12AB/80G), Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the newly launched Social Stock Exchange (SSE).
For any other questions not already in its vast question bank, the chatbot prompts a human volunteer to respond to the unique query within 24 hours of the user’s question. Every automated response has been vetted by a resident expert, the CEO of CAP India, Noshir Dadrawala, who has been offering compliance-related advisory to nonprofits and social initiatives of corporates for over 35 years.

Wealth of Knowledge

Speaking about the launch, Noshir Dadrawala, CEO, Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, said, “They say that to share or give your knowledge is one of the best gifts and perhaps the highest form of daana or giving. The daana of vidya, in my opinion, is a wonderful opportunity for sharing one’s wealth of knowledge and experience and, in the process, enhancing the giver’s thirst for learning more and drinking deeper at the fountain of knowledge and wisdom. danaVidya promises to be one such platform for cross-learning, peer-learning, and to become a proverbial ‘watering-hole’ for thirsty seekers of knowledge in the jungle of legal compliance for NGOs/NPOs.”

Easing Compliance by Making Knowledge Accessible

Ritu Jain and Ravi Bagaria, Co-Founders & Partners, Aria CFO Services, said, “Finance and compliance are a crucial part of any NGOs growth and survival strategies. In this ever-changing landscape of laws, rules and regulations governing the sector, danaVidya can be the perfect platform to further the ethos of making the knowledge of compliance – accessible and digestible. It is a decoded bible that will provide practical guidance for compliance-related issues faced by the sector. It gives us immense joy to be a part of this journey. This collaboration of experts and technology resonates a lot with our ideologies at Aria.”

Field Expertise

Dhaval Udani, CEO, danamojo said, “The biggest highlight of danaVidya is that it is driven by organisations who work exclusively with NGOs and therefore are experts in the field. Each of us understands the challenges and journeys of NGOs and the complexities of the law with respect to their operations and have therefore created this easy-to-use and accessible platform together.”

Impact of danaVidya on the Social Sector

danaVidya is a game-changing tool that has the potential to significantly impact the social sector in India. It provides a much-needed platform for NGOs and Corporate CSR teams to get quick answers to their compliance and legal queries, ensuring that they can operate smoothly and efficiently. By providing a free service, danaVidya is breaking down barriers to access critical knowledge and support that has traditionally been limited to those who can afford expensive legal counsel.
Moreover, danaVidya is a prime example of the power of collaboration between specialised organisations that serve the social enterprise sector exclusively. By bringing together the expertise of organisations like CAP, Aria CFO Services, Glific, and danamojo, danaVidya is well-positioned to provide comprehensive, accurate and reliable information to its users.

The Future of danaVidya

danaVidya’s creators envision a future where the chatbot will be able to answer queries related to other areas beyond compliance, such as program design, monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. As danaVidya continues to grow and evolve, it has the potential to become an essential tool for the entire social sector in India.
danaVidya is an innovative and much-needed solution that has the potential to revolutionize the way NGOs and Corporate CSR teams operate in India. By leveraging the power of AI and NLP, danaVidya provides quick and reliable answers to compliance and legal queries, helping organisations to focus on their core activities and deepen their impact.
The initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration between specialised organisations. It is hoped that more such collaborations will emerge to support the social sector’s growth and development. With danaVidya, the social sector in India has taken a significant step towards greater efficiency, effectiveness, and impact.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Associate Program Manager



Do you believe in the vision of bringing sustainable change by empowering local youth to take local actions?

Does learning more about Rural Bihar’s developmental context excite you? 

Do you want to go through a life changing experience that will help build your professional and personal capacities whilst serving the last mile?

Then we encourage you to apply for the post of Associate Program Manager - Youth Programs at Project Potential. To know more about the role, please refer to the detailed JD through this link - https://bit.ly/3MBh3Yn. To apply, kindly scan the QR code in the post and fill the application form by the 15th of April 2023. The link of the application form can be found here as well: https://forms.gle/kgffv3doVcYRxMwf6

We look forward to receiving your applications. 

Expression of interest invited from NGOs to run residential schools for out-of-school children in Shoolagiri, Kelamangalam

 The district administration has invited expression of interest from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to run two residential schools for out-of-school girls and boys in Shoolagiri and Kelamangalam blocks.

The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Shoolagiri block is for girls under 14 years of age and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Vidyalaya in Kelamangalam block is for boys under 14 years of age.

The NGOs must fulfill the following conditions for application — the organisation must have not less than three years experience in the education of out-of-school children; must be registered under the Societies Act/Trusts Act; must not have been blacklisted by the Union government; must have secured exemption under 80G or 12 AA; must have been audited for the last 3 years; must have filed tax returns for the last three years; must not have come under scanner over any complaints. The applying NGOs must have registered with https://ngodarpan.gov.in

Further details may be ascertained on 9788858720; 9865197960.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

RPA Senior Developer (SSE) at Bhubaneswar, Odisha

  RPA Senior Developer (SSE) will be responsible for creating overall process design and developing Robotic process flows and objects to automate the business processes. 

    Experience in A360 development and migration

    Experience in processing structured, unstructured data sources and leveraging cognitive intelligence for Intelligent process automation, Bot Deployment.

    Experience in IQ bots and Meta bots.

    Exposure to integration with external OCR ICR tools, Document Processing, Cognitive platforms, NLP, Process discovery & documentation tools and other Enterprise systems such as Oracle ERP.

    Should be able to create overall process design with As-is and To-be process flows and enhancements to existing Bots from clear requirements

    Participate in code reviews and identify basic issues or deviations from best practices

    knowledge on Automation Anywhere Control Room and architecture.

    Knowledge on Risk Review for bots to be in production.

    Contribute to Automation centre of excellence deliverable and assist in institutionalizing RPA across Enterprise.

    Flexible and adaptable to learn new emerging technologies.

    Must have strong analytical and communication skills.

Please send your CV to pkgngo@gmail.com