The State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), in partnership with SELCO Foundation, organised a workshop on “Strengthening CSOs in Nagaland: Statutory Compliance, Financial Management and Organisational Systems” on August 18.
The workshop aimed to strengthen Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working with persons with disabilities in organisational governance, statutory compliance, financial management, internal systems and access to funding.
Welcoming the participants, Theodore Yanthan, Secretary, SCPD and Joint Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Nagaland, urged NGOs to use the workshop to identify organisational gaps, share challenges and strengthen accountability and sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address, Tongpang L. Jamir, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, said Nagaland has several committed organisations working at the grassroots level for the rights, welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities. However, he noted that many face difficulties in accessing financial resources and lack technical knowledge and institutional capacity to meet compliance and funding requirements.
“Strengthening the institutional and financial capacity of NGOs and DPOs is not merely an organisational concern, it is an essential part of strengthening the disability rights movement itself,” Jamir said.
Technical sessions covered institutional processes, statutory and financial compliance, documentation, internal controls and CSR funding. Debasish Achajee of Seven Sisters Development Assistance (SeSTA) facilitated the sessions, while Temjenmoa Jamir, CSR Manager, IDAN, spoke on accessing CSR funding.
The programme was moderated by Roseline S, State Lead, SELCO Foundation, with Kushem Yemjong, JSO, SCPD, delivering the vote of thanks.