In the first week of July 2022, a half-a-day Regional CSO Networking Meeting was hosted at Amravati, Maharashtra. The event was organized by Caritas India and Sabal Partners of Maharashtra- Jeevan Vikas Sanstha (JVS), Mathruchaya Social Welfare Centre (MSW) and Dayasagar Social Centre (DSC) for the prominent civil society organisations working in the Melghat region of Maharashtra. About 42 representatives from 11 NGOs participated including Mahan Trust, Samaj Pragati Sanstha, Nisarg Foundation, Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief (EFICOR), Apeksha Homeo Society, Montfort Social Service Centre, Dayasagar Hospital Trust, Jeevan Vikas Sanstha, Mathruchaya Social Welfare Centre and Dayasagar Social Centre and Caritas India. “Teaming up for a better tomorrow” was the chosen theme for the meet.

The programme started with a prayer and lighting of the traditional lamp by the Directors of the NGOs and Dr Ambadas Mohite, the facilitator. A formal welcome was given to Dr Ambadas Mohite with a floral bouquet. As the event coincided with the National Doctor’s Day, all the doctors present for the meeting were felicitated with flowers. After a splendid beginning, the programme coursed into the main session.

Dr Mukund Deshmukh, the Assistant Program Lead of the Sabal program pointed out the objectives of the meeting. The meeting focussed on discussing the importance of networking to address the issues of the locality, addressing the challenges and limitations of working alone and deliberating on the need for the revival of networking which existed earlier and the benefits the network of NGOs brought earlier. Representatives of NGOs briefly shared various initiatives and programmes run by their respective organisations.

Dr. Ambadas Yeloji Mohite, founder chairperson of MASWE, a union of teaching and non-teaching staff of social work colleges of Maharashtra who is also a Senior Consultant to the Government of Maharashtra in various capacities facilitated the programme. He pointed out that the importance of networking is to fill the gap in government-run programmes, emerge as participants in government policymaking, build up a platform to share information, expertise, knowledge, inspiration etc and share success and failures, and build a coordinated holistic approach and create pressure groups for the people’s rights and visibility.

After the session, there was a vibrant discussion on “How NGO’s can work together on a common platform?”, moderated by Mr. Robin George, the programme lead and Dr Ambadas Mohete. Participants shared the pros and cons of networking and towards the end, a way forward plan was finalized which included the following recommendations:

• Issue-based approach shall be the priority of networking.
• Collaborate to tap the Government Schemes.
• Capacity building of the NGOs from the reservoir available within the NGOs itself.
• Till the networking gets organised the meeting of the NGOs will be held in the first week of every month.
• The next meeting will be organised by Samaj Pragati Sanstha.
• Formation of WhatsApp group and share ideas to prepare the agenda for the next meeting.

The half-day meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr Nitin, Coordinator Matruchaya Social Welfare Centre, where he appreciated all the participants and organisers for “Teaming Up for a Better Tomorrow”.