NATIONAL NETWORK OF RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS
Realizing the need for a well-coordinated, yet decentralized effort to build capacities of the mF practitioners across India and in the process ensure peer learning, APMAS, Hyderabad CMF, Jaipur, Chaitanya, Pune, ISMW Ahmedabad and Reach India, Kolkata felt the need to come together as a network. The need for such a network of resource organizations was felt by the Ford Foundation as well and provided initial financial support for a 16 month pilot phase starting from June, 2007.
The major objectives of the ‘pilot phase’ were:
- Collation of available information on microfinance and livelihood promotion for five states.
- Development of a comprehensive training module on SHG federations.
- Sharing and learning among the five organizations through exposure visits and workshops.
- Designing certificate course and exploring partnership with IGNOU for offering certificate courses in microfinance.
- Policy dialogue with the government for leveraging funds.
The major accomplishments of NNRO has been that in the last one year, each resource organization has built up on the strengths of the other partners, and as a network, has arrived at a common minimum plan to address issues that are beyond the reach of the individual member organizations. Encouraged by the accomplishments of the pilot phase and realizing the potential of the network to evolve into a credible national level institution, the members decided to continue the network and enlarge its scope. In order to focus more on the underserved regions and expand the geographical reach of the network two more organizations were invited to join the network, viz. SHG Promotion Forum (SHGPF), West Bengal and Grameena Mahila Okkuta (GMO), Karnataka.
Goal of NNRO
Enhanced capacities and resources for SHGs and SHG federations resulting in vibrant institutions and increased economic and social opportunities for all members especially marginalized, vulnerable and poor communities
The Vision
To emerge as a credible national network of resource organizations engaged in providing quality capacity building and other support services to sustain the microfinance movement in India, particularly the community based development finance initiatives for sustainable livelihoods.”
Thrust Areas of NNRO:
- Quality and Standards for Sustainable and responsive SHGs and Federations
- Create interactive forums for sharing and learning
- Capacity building of SHGs and federations through SHPAs
- Access to and channelise funds for SHG promotion
- Impact measurement to promote SHG federation model
Influencing stakeholders (GOI, Government programs, NABARD) through forums at National and State level.
Collaboration with SEWA Bharat, New Delhi
The Indian School of Microfinance for Women has been invited by SEWA Bharat based in New Delhi to provide trainings on capacity building for the SGSY Groups in the State of Uttarakhand . SEWA Bharat and Government of Uttarakhand has signed an MOU to strengthen the SGSY Groups, to build the Microfinance Sector in the State and establish the center for excellence in Microfinance at Pauri and Hawalbagh. Earlier to this, two trainings on Capacity Building of SHGs were delivered by The School to over 100 participants from two areas; Pauri and Hawalbagh (Almora) where SEWA Bharat has begun its activities.
The School has already completed the module development and its Translation and have begun providing Trainings in these areas.
Erstwhile Partnerships
Indian Institute for Banking and Finance (IIBF)
The School is working closely with IIBF to impart awareness and training to bankers about rural financial behaviour and client needs. The Citi Centre for Financial Literacy (CCFL) and IIBF have joined hands to give this financial literacy initative the shape of a movement which shall change the behaviour of bankers towards rural women and address their needs better.
EDA Rural Systems Pvt. Ltd
The School has collaborated with EDA Rural Systems Pvt. Ltd. to extend technical support and hand holding for small and upcoming MFIs of the country. Under this partnership, the School offers technical trainings like, Accounting Systems for MFIs, Financial Analysis, MIS, and Internal Audit and Risk Management. EDA follows the CGAP Module for these trainings.
ACCESS Development Services
The School and ACCESS have joined hands to spread financial literacy to over 180,000 families in the state of Madhya Pradesh through setting up extensive networks with local NGOs. The initiative includes curriculum and module development and determining the pedagogy of the trainings. The project also includes the scope of collaborating with other government bodies and projects in the area to reach the set target.
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