Training programs of POs' officials/staff of PKSF

PKSF arranges training courses for its POs' personnel covering a wide range of issues on Financial and Social development program management. These training courses are designed to augment their skills needed for long-term organizational development and sustainability in implementing microcredit and relevant social interventions for reducing poverty and employment generation. In addition, the courses provide special focus on agro-based and enterprise development activities along with diversifying rural livelihoods in an improved enabling environment.

Name of the Training	Category of participants
Group Dynamics, Savings and Microcredit Management	Field workers
Spot training	Field workers
Effective Management of IGAs	Field workers
Accounts Keeping and Financial Management	Accountants
Savings & Microcredit Management	Mid Level Officers
TOT	Mid Level Officers
Supervision and Monitoring	Mid Level Officers
Microenterprise Management	Mid Level Officers
Microcredit Management for HCP	Mid Level Officers
Business Plan for Microfinance Program	Mid Level Officers
Microcredit and Financial Management	Accountant
Sub Sector Analysis & Value Chain Development	Mid Level Officers
TOT on Microcredit Management	Mid Level Officers
POMIS Software	Mid Level Officers

Brief information of training provided by PKSF

PKSF’s officials	Broad area of trainings/ Exposure visit
In-country	Financial Management & Administrative Compliance Requirements of USAID, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Development, Financial Planning and Management of Development Organizations, Organizational Capacity Building of NGOs and Partnership Development, Entrepreneurship Development, Business Planning for Enterprises, Sub-sector Analysis for Enterprise Creation, TOT on Improving Training Quality and Facilitation Skills, National Income Accounting and Human Development Index, Managing Human Resources, Practical Income Tax, Curriculum Development, Office Management and Genial Administration, Resource Allocation, Budget Preparation and Budgetary Control for organization, Basic Computer Education, Accounts Keeping, ORACLE DBA Training, Pre-Service Training, Workshop cum Training on Good Governance, MDG Needs Assessment Methodology, ME Lending and Management, Food and Nutrition Development, Post Graduate Diploma In ICT, Digital Video Editing, Web Design and Web Application Development, Environmental Management and Sustainable development, Result Based Monitoring and report writing, Integrated Budget and Accounting System”, Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Project”, Introducing e-passbook in the microcredit system,
Overseas	Micro-finance Training Program, Financial Institutions for Private Enterprise Development, Participatory Livestock Management and Extension, Training Course on Financial Management and Disbursement, Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Training for Leaders, Basic Management, Development and Production of Learning Packages, Oracle, SME Development and Management for Local Products, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Rural Agribusiness Development and Extension Techniques, Train the Trainers, Quality Training for MFIs, NGO Management Certificate, Project Formulation, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Training on Program for Development Managers, Designing and Implementing Social Transfer Programmers, Skills for Microfinance Managers, Marketing and Value Chain Management, Exposure-cum-Study Visit (Microfinance Programs outside Bangladesh) etc.

		ubject/module.
Total		1169

Institutional Development Program (IDP) of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF)

Background:

In order to implement its multifaceted programs very effective way, PKSF gives utmost emphasis to enhance the capacities of the Partner Organizations (POs) along with its own under its ‘Institutional Development Programs (IDP)’.

Objectives of IDP: 

To enhance the institutional capacity of PKSF, it’s POs and other development organizations in their development initiatives aimed at sustainable development of the poor people through reducing poverty and employment generation.

Outreach of IDP of PKSF:

 IDP of PKSF covers the following areas:

1.0)          Training Programs

2.0)          Institutional Development Loan Programs

3.0)          Computerized system support

4.0)          Research programs 

5.0)          Organizing Workshops, Seminars

6.0)          Developing best practices for credit & Non-credit program management of MFIs

7.0)          Contribution in other relevant areas (like- advocacy, preparing proper policies and creation of friendly environment for MFIs etc.)

8.0)          Maintain Training Information of POs and PKSF’s Human resources.

1.0   Training Program:

PKSF provides & implements trainings to the following levels:

·             PKSF officers.

·             POs officer and Staff

·             Overseas participants

·             Non-POs & others

·             PKSF’s Projects.

·        Internship programs for University Students. 

1.1 Training programs for PKSF officers/staff:

PKSF arranges training to its officials for successful implementation of its multidimensional programs. These trainings are intended to enhance their strategic and operational skills with sound understanding on different economic and social issues, which offer great scope and potential for poverty reduction and employment generation for the poor.

PKSF also organizes foreign exposure visits for its officers to improve their skills and for sharing knowledge and experiences with the best performing organizations in different parts of the world.

Policy for the Utilization of Disaster Management Fund of PKSF

Policy for the Utilization of Disaster Management Fund

The policy for the utilization of the disaster management fund which will be used to provide support to the PKSF POs’ microcredit borrowers affected by natural calamities like floods, draughts and cyclones:

1.          The concerned PO will determine the size of the disaster loan to be given to a ‘beneficiary’ family after assessing its real need.

2.          Disaster loan will be used for rehabilitation of the affected family.

3.          Disaster loan will be given in one installment and the loanee will use this loan for self-rehabilitation.

4.          The PO will not claim service charge or any other charge for this loan.

5.          The PO will recover disaster loan in equal installments which are tolerable to the loanee. The PO will inform PKSF about the size, duration and repayment schedule before receiving fund from PKSF.

6.          Before providing this loan the PO will sign a loan agreement with the loanee wherein terms and conditions of the loan should be mentioned.

7.          The PO will maintain all records and accounts of disaster loan fund and supervise and monitor its use and repayment.

8.          The PO will send monthly report to PKSF with regard to the use and recovery of disaster loan. PKSF will supervise and monitor the use of the disaster loan.

9.          Under no circumstances, the PO will use the disaster loan fund for other purposes. This fund will be treated as a part of the POs’ ‘Disaster Management Fund’ in which the PO shall have its own contribution.

Following clause ‘9’ the PO will contribute a specific portion of its surplus service to this fund on a quarterly basis.

MCP funding of POs by P)KSF

MCP funding of POs working in CHT, shall follow the following guidelines

i)             POs intending to work in CHT needs to obtain “no objection” from the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affair/Regional Council/concerned District/Local Government Council, and concerned government agencies dealing with indigenous ethnic minorities.

ii)          If necessary, periodically, PKSF may share progress report of PO with, the NGO Affairs Bureau or an attached office of government organization and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affair/Regional Council/concerned District/ Local Government Council will evaluate the activities of concerned NGO in that area.

iii)        Before applying to PKSF for further expansion of MCP in the new local areas, PO has to seek clearance from the Local Government Council of CHT.

iv)         For POs working in CHT, PKSF may share the progress and evaluation reports on their activities to the Convenor of the committee and the District Commissioner. Besides, the NGO Affairs Bureau and the registration authorities will regularly maintain contacts relating to NGOs` activities, ensure coordination and send related reports to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs/Regional Councils/concerned district Local Government Council and PKSF.

v)            If any dispute in connection with conducting the program or coordination arises, the issue(s) may be referred by PKSF to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs through NGO Bureau for its settlement.

Basic Asssumptions for Intervention

Basic Asssumptions for Intervention

i) PKSF addresses the indigenous peoples through its Partner Organization (PO). PKSF will provide fund for MCP, as well as assistance for institutional development following the general principles and strategies of PKSF.

ii)                MCP will encourage provisions of income generating activities like agriculture, fisheries, forestry, hydropower, horticulture, tourism and all kinds of small business and production.

iii)             The POs shall have a track record of successful performance of MCP for at least a year.

iv)               PKSF will monitor the MCP according to PKSFs performance standard.

v)                 PKSF’s overlapping policy guidelines shall apply for MCP funding.

vi)               An upper ceiling rate of service charge from the target people for their loan from PO may be followed as per loan agreement with PKSF.

vii)            For selection of PO, the environment should be carefully screened. Issues related to indigenous peoples are commonly identified through the environmental assessment or social impact assessment processes, and appropriate measures should be taken under environmental mitigation actions.

viii)          The POs in their operational areas will attach due respect and importance towards the ethnic features, education, culture, environment, religion, customs of the area and can not conduct propaganda- campaign or undertake activities that may cause threat to those features; rather conduct their programs keeping harmony with those features.

ix)              POs should give preference for local people in recruitment of manpower. As because of the convenience for their language and culture, the local people, if recruited, will help POs implement their programs. Recruitment should be made on the basis of male female ratio at a reasonable rate.

x)                 The POs will operate MCP keeping social harmony among the inhabitants in local area irrespective of religion, groups, race, clan, caste etc.

xi)              The POs which are willing to work with indigenous people have to observe the following restrictions:

a)      No such activities that create hindrance to social harmony between the races of Tribes- Bangalee can be undertaken.

b)      No anti religion or unethical activities, particularly campaign for religion conversion will be allowed.

c)      No PO can undertake such activities that provoke communal unrest.

d)      Any activities that cause hindrance to national or regional security can not be undertaken.

e)      Any such activities that inspire the inhabitants of those areas to involve in separatist, religious or racial movement cannot be undertaken directly or indirectly.

f)       No PO will be involved in any political activities directly or indirectly.

g)      The PO will not be allowed to maintain linkage with any persons/ organizations or any political parties that are engaged in any illegal activities at home/ abroad.

The MF-NGOs should restrict their activities to the purview of their work plans and working areas as approved. If any MF-NGOs is involved in any activity beyond the work plans and the areas as approved or violate the restrictions as mentioned above at 3.11(a) –3.11(g), legal action including actions of cancellation of registration may be taken against them

PKSF Microcredit Program Funding Policy for Indigenous Ethnic Minorities

PKSF Microcredit Program Funding Policy for Indigenous Ethnic Minorities

1.         Introduction

i)             This Policy describes broad framework for microcredit programs (MCP) that affect indigenous peoples.

ii)          PKSF will extend microcredit through selected partner organizations (POs), among indigenous peoples, tribes, ethnic minorities, or other groups to increase their capacity to assert their interests and rights in land and other productive resources, following the general principles and guidelines of PKSF.

iii)        It sets the basic definitions, policy objectives, guidelines for the design and implementation of MCP for indigenous peoples, in a sustainable manner.

iv)         It should be consistent with the overall policies of the GOB with respect to indigenous ethnic minorities.

2.         Definitions

i)             The terms "indigenous peoples," "indigenous ethnic minorities," "tribal groups,'' and "scheduled tribes" describe social groups with a social and cultural identity distinct from the dominant society that makes them vulnerable to being disadvantaged in the development process. For the purposes of this directive, "indigenous peoples" is the term that will be used to refer to these groups.

ii)          Because of the varied and changing contexts in which indigenous peoples are found, no single definition can capture their diversity. Indigenous people are commonly among the poorest segments of a population. They engage in economic activities that range from shifting agriculture in or near forests to wage labor or even small-scale market-oriented activities.

iii)        In accordance with the policies of the GOB, indigenous peoples can be identified in particular geographical areas: Chakma, Mong in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT),Manipuri’s in Sylhet, Garos in Modhupur and Mymensingh, Shawntals in Rajshahi, etc.

iv)         The following characteristics are distinct in varying degrees among the indigenous people:

a)   A close attachment to ancestral territories and to the natural resources in these areas;

b) Self-identification and identification by others as members of a distinct cultural group;

c)   An indigenous language, often different from the national language;

d)   Presence of customary social and political institutions; and

e)   Primarily subsistence-oriented production.