NGOs told not to rely of foreign funding

JAKARTA (JP): Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being told to self-finance their activities and end the dependency on foreign funding as this may lead to "politically uncomfortable situations".

Indonesian representative for the UK-based Civil Society Service Project Richard Holloway said during a seminar on Friday that foreign funding is not trouble-free.

"There may not be enough funds in the future, or maybe they (donor countries) will decide to give it out to other countries. Besides, foreign funding won't earn local support and will raise politically uncomfortable situations," he said during a session on the second day of a child welfare conference.

According to Holloway there are many alternative ways of obtaining the funds, such as from local foundations and philanthropic institutions, individual sources, the government and private companies.

"The problem is, NGOs usually place themselves in opposition to the government and think that all companies are corrupted," said Holloway.

NGOs can also earn their income through small businesses that are not against the NGOs' purposes, or through micro credit programs.

That means, Holloway added, that NGOs need to learn new skills and gain extra knowledge to able to make proposals to companies and government, and to communicate with the society more effectively.

However, businesswoman and children's welfare activist Yustinasari said that NGOs should go beyond simply seeking funds from companies.

"NGOs should have a proper understanding and knowledge of the companies so that they can help them understand how important these programs are," she said, adding that NGOs and companies should be on equal ground.

NGOs, she added, usually refuse funds from cigarette and milk companies as these companies are often seen as being against the NGOs' principals, whereas these companies can provide a lot of funds.

"This is a problem that should be considered by NGOs. Also, NGOs must focus not only on money, as companies can provide other resources, like training for example," Yustinasari added.(09)