West Bengal Civil Society Support Programme (WBCSSP) PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance DFID Supported by

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Purpose To support a more accountable civil society, influencing policy and practice for better access to quality services by the poor

Objectives  To create a vibrant civil society involving voluntary organizations, academia, media, professionals to promote pro-poor development  To empower community organizations in 8 backward districts to assist in the process of pro-poor development  To enhance capacity of CSOs for analysis, advocacy and policy engagement  To develop and maintain district level platforms for pro-poor advocacy PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Districts Covered Coochbehar Uttar Dinajpur Dakshin Dinajpur Malda Murshidabad Birbhum Purulia Jalpaigury

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Focus Areas  Improving participation of the poor and marginalized in PRIs  Awareness building on Right to Information  Strengthening SHG initiative in the state  Gender Mainstreaming  Sector interventions – Health & Nutrition, Education, RTI, Livelihood, Food Security, Disability, Trafficking and Biodiversity

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Core Strategies  Grant support to civil society organizations to work in target districts and at state level  Thematic capacity building of grantee and non grantee organizations  Building and nurturing CSO networks in the districts  Individual Fellowship Programme in un-reached areas  Media mobilization at district level  Supporting state level events of topical importance  Activating Government Liaison Committee at state and district level

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Activities Accomplished during Qrt. III

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Direct Grant Support ( Output I) 19 partner organizations (grantee) got approval this Qr. ( total 60 on board) from 8 target districts and at state level to work on the following issues:  Health and Nutrition  Food and Work Security  Self Help Group (SHG) based inclusive development  Education  Women’s Rights  Community based rehabilitation and promotion of rights of the differently-abled children and adults  Biodiversity and livelihood linkage  Right to Information  Strengthening local self-governance  Prevention of trafficking of Women and Children

Direct Grant Support ( Output I) 1) Baseline study of the first 20 approved grantee: completed and report received from the consultant agency (SSESS) completed and report received from the consultant agency (SSESS) 2) Baseline study for the next 21 approved grantee: Consultants were identified and ToR developed and signed Consultants were identified and ToR developed and signed 3) Grantee Monitoring by program staff Started by the program staff for the first two sets ( ) of approved grantees Started by the program staff for the first two sets ( ) of approved grantees Grantee Monitoring matrix was developed and initiatedGrantee Monitoring matrix was developed and initiated Grantee reporting matrix was developed and piloting of the same is undergoingGrantee reporting matrix was developed and piloting of the same is undergoing

Direct Grant Support for Financial Monitoring ( Output I) 1)Financial Training for the 21 New Grantees completed 2)Financial Reports received from the first set of 20 grantees, feedback and clarifications sought 3)Collating the reports quarterly 4)Management audit of grantees initiated

Fellowship Details Selection Criteria Demographic Profile – SC/ST/OBC/Muslim Special focus on women from the target pockets Blocks not covered by Grantee partners, and in target blocks pockets where Govt. declared underdeveloped GP’s/villages exists With CSO/CBO attachment Profile of the selected Fellows : 35 selected, 13 women Out of 35, 14 from SC/ST/OBC ( combined) and 10 Muslims

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Fellowship Program ( Output I) 50 fellows – target 35 Fellows selected ( 7 WBCSSP Districts, Birbhum is under process)35 Fellows selected ( 7 WBCSSP Districts, Birbhum is under process) Orientation conducted for 29 selected fellowsOrientation conducted for 29 selected fellows Monthly meeting with the fellows ongoingMonthly meeting with the fellows ongoing Field Monitoring and hand holding support by point persons initiated with the developed matrixField Monitoring and hand holding support by point persons initiated with the developed matrix Monthly Work plan ( Dec ’08) received and compiledMonthly Work plan ( Dec ’08) received and compiled Activities report received for Nov ’08Activities report received for Nov ’08 Issue based situational analysis was ongoing by the fellowsIssue based situational analysis was ongoing by the fellows

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Capacity Building for Grantee and Non- Grantees (Output II) 1) On organization and management issues:  Capacity building on gender mainstreaming ( grantees)  Capacity building on Organizational Development ( Grantee + non- grantee)  Financial and Accounts management ( grantee) 2) TOT Masters Trainers Training  Identification of training institute and trainees  Training need assessment was under way

hl Capacity Building Impact Assessment ( Output II) 1)Capacity building initiatives ( trainings conducted)of previous ( Sep’07 to Oct’08) initiatives was underway : Assessment questionnaire and design of assessment was finalized Participants feedback was obtained in the questionnaire Compilation and analysis of the same was in process

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance Material development and Communication ( Output II)  Identified different materials on various issues of WBCSSP ( buying/ new development/ reprinting)  Toolkit was developed for Organizational Development training  Updating of web portal ongoing

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance CSO Platform Building ( Output III) Uttar Dinajpur: Girl Child Education Coochbehar & Jalpaiguri:NREGP Malda & Dakshin Dinajpur:Primary Health Murshidabad : Quality Primary Education Birbhum : Right to Information Purulia:Food Security Ongoing issue based CSO’s platforms initiatives – meetings held on regular basis

Platform Building initiatives ( Output III) 1)Conducting small studies In two districts Uttar Dinajpur and Murshidabad ( Girl child education and quality education respectively) Technical assistance and guidance were obtained from Academia and Govt. departments 2) Meeting on locally relevant issues were organized time to time

State level initiatives Lecture series on CSR ( Corporate Social Responsibilities) Regular interaction with Statutory Commissions GLC follow up meeting 4 th. Advisory Committee meeting

PRIA is an International Centre for learning and promotion of participation and democratic governance