NGO Forum for Responsible Business

The NGO Forum activities were initiated by Partners in Change to promote and strengthen the individual and collective capacity of NGOs for furthering socially responsible business practices in India. During 2005-2007, attempts were made to form a NGO forum for Responsible Business to work on issues of common priorities. Some of the key achievements during this period were:

• The formation of a steering group (SG) of the Forum in India, comprising of NGOs actively involved in CSR activities
• The SG actively participates in development of South Asian Forum for Responsible Business (SAFoRB) and its Frame of Reference.
• The NGO Forum members collaborated in Standards’ formulation process by Bureau of Indian Standards.
• A Temporary Research and Documentation centre in place with a full time person playing the role of Research and Documentation Officer housed at PiC

The NGO Forum aimed to:

• Adapt the South Asian NGO Frame of Reference for Responsible Business Practices in the Indian context.
• Widen the coverage of NGO Forum membership across India
• Engage with Businesses and Government on key issues pertaining to Business Responsibilities

Planned Activities

Planned activity under the NGO forum for Responsible Business

• Formation of regional NGO forums in East, West, South and North Region of the country. Each forum will consist of about 25 NGO in the respective region. The intervention is aimed at improvement of understanding on engagement with private sector & to contribute meaning full role in CSR arena.
• Developing Indian NGO Frame of Reference by integrating local aspects in the already existing South Asia NGO Frame of Reference.
• Identification of Policy change issue with government for advocacy purpose and initiating activity for creating enabling environment for Responsible Business.