NGOs told not to rely of foreign funding

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)