JAYANT KUMAR
Over a decade ago, Indian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were globally recognized for
their maturity, responsibility, and commitment to the causes they championed. However, in recent years, there has been a significant erosion of trust between CSOs, the Indian
government, and the public at large. This shift is partly due to concerns regarding foreign funding, political influence, and perceived deviations from core values.
The current ecosystem is challenging, with grassroots action under strain and a growing sense of skepticism about CSO intentions. For voluntary action to thrive once more, Indian CSOs must critically evaluate and adapt their strategies. The areas mentioned for action is from external stakeholders perspective ie. Govt., general public, political parties and politicians etc.
1. Revisiting Core Values of Voluntarism
 Reaffirming the Mission: CSOs should reinforce and demonstrate their primary
commitment to social and transformative development and support for
marginalized communities. Focusing on altruism, rather than personal gain, is
essential to reinstating trust.
 Transparency in Motives and Actions: Emphasizing transparency in funding,
partnerships, and objectives will help reestablish CSOs as genuine actors of
change, dedicated to societal well-being over any other motives.
2. Separate Organizational Goals from Personal Agendas
 Prioritize Community Needs over Personal Interests: Decisions and actions
should stem from the collective needs of communities served, rather than
individual goals. Ensuring decisions are made transparently, with community
stakeholders involved, will help avoid the perception of self-interest.
 Build Organizational Integrity: Establishing codes of conduct and
accountability systems and transparency can help mitigate individual biases,
ensuring that the organization remains committed to its mission.
3. Discourage Political Influence.
 Neutrality and Independence: CSOs should strive to remain politically neutral,
avoiding affiliations with specific parties or political ideologies that could
compromise their credibility. This helps in safeguarding public perception that
CSOs are independent agents of change, not tools for political agendas.
 Focus on Policy, Not Politics: While CSOs play an important role in advocating
for policy changes, they must separate this from electoral politics. Advocacy
should focus on systemic improvements rather than partisan gains.
4. Avoid Internationalizing Domestic Issues
 Handle Issues Locally: Domestic issues should be addressed and resolved within
country. Presenting these issues on multilateral or bilateral platforms can
sometimes be used as undermining national interest, External pressure thus
created may be counterproductive. In fact it is proving to be counter productive.
 Promote Constructive Partnerships: When working with international partners,
CSOs should focus on collaboration that respects local sovereignty and
strengthens internal capabilities, rather than drawing external attention to internal
conflicts.
5. Redefine Professionalism to Focus on the Marginalized
 Adopting a Service-Oriented Professionalism: Professionalism in the CSO
context should not emulate corporate structures alone. Instead, it should emphasize
dedication to serving the poorest and most marginalized, prioritizing their needs in
all actions.
 Capacity Building for Grassroots Engagement: Developing skills and resources
for grassroots engagement adapted to the current context is essential. Professional
development should include skills necessary for local outreach, community
mobilization, and program sustainability at the ground level.
6. Language Accessibility: In the current context the grassroots and mid segment
organizations are at a disadvantage. They are unable to meet the required language and
technical capacity to access resources. In this context, developing mechanism where
languages and technical capacity is not a stumbling block for community outreach, communication, and program materials. This makes CSOs more relatable and accessible to
the resource providers and the masses. This linguistic and technical adjustments allows
CSOs to communicate with resource providers and with local communities in their own
language, fostering inclusivity and participation. This integration does not hinder
communication of CSOs with International donors and audience.
7. Rationalizing Compensation: It is noted that in large and medium organizations the
difference in compensation package is huge. A bench mark should be established for
variation in compensation between the highest paid and the lowest paid. This shall instil
confidence and ownership amongst various stakeholders.
8. Eliminating Family Succession or Ownership Plans: Moving away from family-based
succession or ownership models is crucial for CSOs to remain meritocratic and
democratic. It encourages the promotion of competent and dedicated professionals rather
than limiting leadership roles to a select few, fostering a culture of inclusivity and
reducing nepotism.
9. Lifestyle Adjustments for Leaders: CSO leaders should move to a lifestyle that reflects
the values of social service and community welfare. Demonstrating simplicity and ethical
standards can enhance their credibility and build community trust, as it aligns leaders with
the everyday struggles of the people they serve.

10. Enhancing Accountability and Transparency: Ensuring transparency both upwards (to
donors, international organizations, and government) and downwards (to the community
and beneficiaries) is critical. This can be done through regular audits, transparent financial
reporting, and feedback mechanisms that engage local stakeholders. Creating a strong
accountability framework helps build trust within the communities served and among
funders and partners. This should also be communicated to outside world.
11. Reducing Domination of powerful groups: CSOs should consciously work to eliminate
the domination of powerful groups in decision-making processes. A more democratic and
inclusive governance structure allows for diverse voices, especially those of grassroots
colleagues and marginalized communities, to be heard and represented. Implementing
democratic practices within the organizational structure can ensure a more balanced power
dynamic, making CSOs more responsive and community-centered.
12. Revisiting Gandhian Ideals: Returning or reaffirming to Gandhian principles, such as
simplicity, self-reliance, and service to the community, can help CSOs reconnect with
India's grassroots. Embracing these ideals may inspire a deeper commitment to social
welfare and reinforce a purpose-driven approach aligned with the needs of vulnerable
communities.
13. Active and Aware Board Members: An effective board can guide an organization
with informed decisions, and act as a check on the leadership’s actions. Board members
who are actively engaged and aware of ground realities can play a pivotal role in
aligning the organization’s work with its mission, thus increasing credibility and
accountability.
14. Refocus on Small, Local, and Grassroots Initiatives
 Empower Local Communities: Re-emphasizing and prioritizing small-scale,
community-led initiatives can help restore grassroots action, enabling CSOs to have a
more tangible impact on the ground.
 Decentralize Decision-Making: CSOs should empower local leaders and promote
decision-making at the community level. This builds trust and encourages
communities to view CSOs as partners in development. This local initiative creates a
strong bond between organization, commonly Panchayat and government
Conclusion
For Indian CSOs to regain their respected position, they must return to the basics of voluntary
action—driven by community needs, guided by integrity, and free from undue influence. By
focusing on local initiatives, remaining politically neutral, and promoting a transparent and
service-oriented professionalism, CSOs can rebuild trust and reestablish their role as
champions for the most marginalized. Through this, they can ensure that voluntary action
continues to be a powerful force for positive change in India.
By implementing these changes, CSOs in India can cultivate greater trust, transparency, and
accountability. Building a democratic structure, establishing mechanisms to reach skills for
accessing resources to communities and reconnecting with Gandhian values can ensure that
CSOs are community-driven and transparent in their mission. Ultimately, these steps will not
only improve the credibility of CSOs but also strengthen their impact and relevance in Indian
society.

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