In a significant move towards institutional strengthening, Society for Social Development in the Northern Region (SSDNR) through RFAP supported by Caritas India and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), organized a two-day workshop on Strategic Planning, Resource Mobilization, and Safeguarding Policy for Regional Forums and Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSSs) in the Northern Region. The workshop, held on September 2nd and 3rd, 2024 in Chetanalaya, aimed to equip these organizations with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of the development sector.

The workshop was attended by representatives from six Dioceses of the Northern Region, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Jammu-Srinagar, Shimla-Chandigarh, Jalandhar, and Amritsar. The participants engaged in discussions and exercises that highlighted the importance of strategic planning, resource mobilization, and safeguarding mechanisms in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of their organizations.

Fr. Anthony Fernandes, Associate Director of Caritas India emphasized the collaborative journey of Caritas India with the Regional Forum in enhancing the capacity of both the forum and Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSS). He highlighted Caritas India’s commitment to institutional building, focusing on the critical phases of mainstreaming and implementing strategic planning and safeguarding policies.

He underscored that these policies are non-negotiable in today’s context, stressing the necessity for them to be operational and effective. Fr. Anthony concluded by urging all participants to return to their respective organizations with a clear and actionable policy in place, reinforcing the importance of practical implementation in fostering a safer and more accountable environment within their institutions.

The first day of the workshop focused on strategic planning, with Ms. Babita Pinto, Head of Programs at Caritas India, leading the sessions. Participants reviewed the draft strategic plans of Chetanalaya, Manav Vikas Samiti, and Prachodana Social Service Society, gaining valuable insights into improving their own plans. The group exercises helped the DSSSs create revised strategic plans that align with their organizational goals and the evolving needs of their communities.

The second half of the workshop delved into the critical issue of resource mobilization, particularly in the context of limited foreign funding due to the new norms in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Ms. Shikha Srivastava, Lead- Organizational & Programme Sustainability from IGSSS, shared her expertise on generating knowledge and understanding of resource mobilization strategies. The participants explored ways to strengthen local resource mobilization, ensuring the sustainability of their programs and initiatives.

The final day of the workshop focused on safeguarding, facilitated by Catherine Kune from Caritas India and Anushikha from SSDNR. The session emphasized the importance of safeguarding in organizational settings and highlighted the need to introduce safeguarding clauses for vendors, suppliers, and sub-recipients. Participants gained a deeper understanding of safeguarding risks and requirements when working with external stakeholders. The session underscored the importance of accountability within organizations and the necessity to establish robust safeguarding mechanisms.

The workshop succeed in empowering Regional Forums and DSSSs with the knowledge and tools to strengthen their organizations. By focusing on strategic planning, resource mobilization, and safeguarding policy, Caritas India and CRS have demonstrated their commitment to supporting the development sector in adapting to new challenges and ensuring the protection of vulnerable communities.