India CSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India, a not-for-profit organisation and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) signed an MoU in a bid to enhance accountability, transparency and competency in the NGO sector, in the wake of recent changes in the Companies Act, 2013 with respect to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The MoU was signed by Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, DG & CEO, IICA and Meenakshi Batra, CEO, CAF India.
Under the MoU, joint training programmes on CSR and other thematic areas will be conducted, aimed at building the capacities of NGO partners, corporate executives and functionaries working in the social development sector.
On this occasion of the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, DG & CEO, IICA, said, ‘’This is a major milestone in the CSR journey. Corporate and CSOs must be equally strong pillars in which CSR must rest and this is why organisations like CAF India are so important as they help train, boost confidence, enable NGOs to claim their time on the stage of CSR. CAF India’s contribution is fundamental to the success of the vision of CSR, which is why the signing of this MoU links into that chain. These links which we forge will really be strong. This is an opportunity for us to show the world what CSR really is and what it can really do.’’
Meenakshi Batra, CEO, CAF India, added, “A lot of hard work has gone into facilitating a conducive CSR ecosystem in the country. It is just the start of the journey with IICA. We are extremely proud to join hands with IICA as they offer a great platform for knowledge-sharing and setting the standards in the CSR space. Some of the strengths of CAF India and IICA can be synergised through the process of signing of this MoU. This will help in bringing more credibility to the sector and ultimately benefit the marginalised section of the society.”
CAF India had successfully cleared the rigorous due diligence process of IICA and is now empanelled on their Implementing Agencies Hub (I. A. HUB) as a credible implementing agency for CSR (http://www.iahub.iica.in/Promotional-Opportunities/CAF/).
IICA is an institution which was set up by the Government of India in 2008 to act as a think tank and capacity building hub for corporate regulations and reforms.
Mr. Chatterjee lauded the role of of civil society organisations in the development sector, adding, ‘’There is no nation on earth who has actually seen CSR through the lens of NGOs. It is as much the support of civil society as a pillar stand alone that supports the superstructure of CSR. People who work with the poor, live and communicate with the underprivileged section of the society are the CSOs. It is they who know the heartbeat and the pulse of the poor. They are the real link in CSR.’’
I.A. HUB has been set up in pursuance of the national initiative of corporate social responsibility, set in motion by the passage of CSR Act 2013, and facilitates identification of credible implementing agencies for companies desirous of taking up sustainable, replicable and impactful projects on CSR.
CAF India is amongst the leading organisations in the country providing CSR Advisory and Delivery Support, enabling companies to give strategically so that the benefits reach the communities who are in need. We help companies, PSUs, philanthropists and foundations to address causes they want to support.
CAF India is currently working with more than 400 NGO partners on various CSR projects across the country, which positions us strongly to carry out social development initiatives with the maximum reach.
The MoU also envisages the designing and knowledge sharing of CSR programmes, besides engaging in CSR relevant activities concerning developing training modules, research and knowledge dissemination, among other things.
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India
CAF India’s wide range of philanthropic solutions includes delivering on the CSR commitments of corporate, and nonprofits through grant management, CSR strategy development, programme management, employee giving, capacity building, disaster support, employee engagement, volunteering and communication advocacy, tailored to meet business objectives. It has a proven track record of conducting due diligence of more than 1600 NGOs till date.
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA)
IICA has been established by the Indian Ministry of Corporate Affairs for capacity building and training in various subjects and matters relevant to corporate regulation and governance such as corporate and competition law, accounting and auditing issues, compliance management, corporate governance, business sustainability through environmental sensitivity and social responsibility, e-Governance and enforcement etc.
The Institute has been designed with an eye on the future to provide a platform for dialogue, interaction and partnership between governments, corporate, investors, civil society, professionals, academicians and other stake holders in the emerging 21st century environment.
