This guide lists out the organisations/ NGOs in the Water and Sanitation sector, across the country. Please click on a topic to view more detailed information.
- What is an NGO?
- What are their main characteristics?
- Is there a way by which there can be a partnership between the government and NGOs?
- Is there a list of international funding agencies that support NGOs working in water conservation?
- Is there a list of names of international foundations and programmes in the water & sanitation sector?
- Which institutions and research organizations undertake water conservation projects in partnership with NGOs?
- Which are the organisations in the water and sanitation sector that work in the following states/ UT?
Voluntary organizations (VOs) / Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) include organizations engaged in public service, based on ethical, cultural, social, economic, political, religious, spiritual, philanthropic or scientific & technological considerations. VOs include formal as well as informal groups such as: community-based organizations (CBOs); non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs); charitable organizations; support organizations; networks or federations of such organizations; as well as professional membership associations.
What are their main characteristics?
VOs / NGOs should broadly have the following characteristics:
- They are private, i.e., separate from the Government
- They do not return profits generated to their owners or directors
- They are self-governing, i.e., not controlled by Government
- They are registered organizations or informal groups, with defined aims and objectives
In India a Voluntary Organization / Non Governmental Organization can be registered as Trusts, Societies, or a private limited nonprofit company, under section-25 Company of the Indian Companies Act, 1956.
What is NGO Partnership System?
The NGO Partnership System (NGO-PS) is a platform of interface between Voluntary Organization (VO) / Non Governmental Organization (NGO) and key Ministries / Departments / Government Bodies. Later it is proposed to cover all Central Ministries / Departments / Government Bodies.
The key Ministries/Departments/ Government Bodies in the first phase are
- M/o Culture
- M/o Health & Family Welfare
- M/o Social Justice & Empowerment
- M/o Tribal Affairs, M/o Women & Child Development
- D/o Higher Education
- D/o School Education & Literacy
- Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART)
- National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)
- Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB)
This is a free facility offered by the Planning Commission in association with the National Informatics Centre to bring about a greater partnership between the government & voluntary sector and foster better transparency, efficiency and accountability.
South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) : An informal network of individuals and groups concerned with issues related to dams,rivers and other related topics
- Address: 86-D, AD Block, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi 110088
- Phone: 91-11-27484654
India WASH Forum : Operates as a voluntary coalition for advocacy in the WASH sector, also engaged with the operationalisation of the Global Sanitation Fund in India
- Address: K-U, 6 Pitampura, Delhi 110034
- Phone: 91-9711178181
The Energy Research Institute (TERI) : Works in collaboration with several NGOs across India, on issues of sustainable development including water resources
- Address: Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003
- Phone: 91-11-24682100
- E mail: mailbox@teri.res.in
Centre for Science and Environment: A public interest research and advocacy organisation
- Address:41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi 110062
- Phone: 91-11-29955124
- E mail: cse@cseindia.org https://www.cseindia.org/
World Wide Fund for Nature : A conservation organization dedicated to building a healthy living planet for future generations
- Address: 172 B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003
- Phone:91-11-41504815
- E mail: rmishra@wwfindia.net
WaterAid India : Works with networks of women SHGs and NGOs to develop successful models for successful sanitation coverage, mostly for women and girls
- Address: 403,CNI Bhawan, 16,Pandit Pant Marg, Connaught Place, Delhi - 110001
- Phone: +(91)-11-46084400
- E mail:wai@wateraid.org
Action for Food Production (AFP): Supports community-based groundwater management practices, including integrated watershed development programmes
- Address:25/1-A Pankha Road, D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058
- Phone:91-11-28525452
- E mail: afprodel@afpro.org
Himalaya Seva Sangh (HSS):Works in the field of water conservation
- Address:15, Rajghat Colony, Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Complex, New Delhi-110002
- Phone: 011 – 23319685
- E mail: manojhss@gmail.com
Society for Natural Resource Management and Community Development: NGO working on issues of soil and water conservation and forestry
- Address: C-30, Divine Park View Apartment, Abhaykhand-III, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad
- Phone:91-120-4160161
- E mail: snrmcd@gmail.com
FORCE (Forum for Organised Resource Conservation and Enhancement): To create awareness about natural resources– their use, misuse, current status and future scenario and to ensure adoption of measures to prevent their depletion.
- Address:
C-8/8035, Vasant Kunj, Delhi - 110070 - Phone: +91-11-26893502,46018754
- E mail: jyoti@force.org.in
Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra: Aims at facilitating a just and egalitarian society through an integrated development approach, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of society
- Address: At-Bahera, PO-Brindavan, Via-Chouparan, District-Hazaribag
- Phone: 9431140508, 9431141147, 9835208925
- E mail: satishgirija@gmail.com. nbjkco@gmail.com, anand.nbjk@gmail.com
Rashtriya Jal Biradari: A network set up in 1990, it comprises of grassroots workers involved in water conservation and NGOs from all over India
- Address:Tarun Ashram, Bheekampura Kishori, Thanagazi, Alwar, Rajasthan
- Phone: 91-1465-225043
- E mail: rajendra@tarunbharatsangh.org
Samvedna : A Society For Global Concerns
- Address: 60,Nayagaon Housing Society, Jabalpur
- Phone: 91-9424955700
- E mail: chitra.shrivastav@gmail.com
Dhas Gramin Vikas: Engaged in mobilisation of rights and community development.
- Address: 74, Krishnodayanagar, Khandwanaka, Indore 452001, Madhya Pradesh
- Phone: 91-94259-43023
- E mail:aarohini@rediffmail.com
SAMARTHAN: Strives to address the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment through strengthening grassroots civil society groups.
- Address:36, Green Avenue, Chuna Bhatti, Kolar Road,Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Phone: 91-755-2467625,91-9893563713
- E mail:info@samarthan.org
Manthan Adhyayan Kendra : A centre to monitor, analyse and research water and energy related issues
- Address: Dusshera Maidan Road,
Barwani (MP) India - 451551 - Phone: +91 - 7290 - 222857
- E mail: manthan.kendra@gmail.com
Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater System (APFAMGS): A network with NGOs and farmers for implementing demand-side groundwater management concepts
- Address:Block No. A-2(c), First Floor, Huda Commercial Complex, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007
- Phone: 91-40-27014730
- E mail:info@apfamgs.org
SaciWATERs-CapNet Network (SCaN): A platform for partnership towards capacity building in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) across the South Asian region
- Address: B- 87, 3rd Avenue, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad - 500 094, Andhra Pradesh
- Phone: +91 40 27116721
- e mail: scan@saciwaters.org
Administrative Staff College of India: The college for practicing managers that pioneered post-experience management education in India, has conducted projects on water management
- Address: Bella Vista, Raj Bhavan Road, Khairatabad, Hyderabad 500082
- Phone:91-40-66533000
- E mail: skrao@asci.org.in
Rural Reconstruction and Development Society (RRDS): Works on issues of urban slum sanitation, and migration in the state of Andhra Pradesh
- Address: Maruthinagar, Nellaturu (V) & (P), Gudur Mandal - 524103, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh
- Phone:91-8624-222589
- E mail: rrds111@gmail.com
Chand Minority Welfare Association: Engaged in water related projects in north-eastern parts of Andhra Pradesh with a focus on the rural sector
- Address: H.No.41-419A, Kotha Peta, Kurnool 518001, Andhra Pradesh
- Phone:91-9441612957
- E mail:cmwa_association@yahoo.com Is
Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS): Works on water systems both in villages and urban municipalities in Andhra Pradesh
- Address: 27-99, Gandhinagar, Yellamanchili 531055, Dt. Visakhapatnam
- Phone:91-40-23397141,09441612957
- E mail: 1 inforeeds@gmail.com
Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA): Works to improve water policy and practice by strengthening local voices in decision-making
- Address: C/o. Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI),
H.No.2-127/4, Plot No.4, East Kalyanpuri Uppal,
Hyderabad-500 039 (AP) - Phone: 977-9851097910
- E mail: mailto:convenor@fansasia.net
Visakha Jilla Nava Nirmana Samithi (VJNNS): To develop holistic perspective on sustainable development of human beings’ living conditions by designing mechanisms those are self-manageable by the communities.
- Address: Radha Krishna Mission, Ist Lane , Sarada Nagar, Narasipatnam, Visakha Patnam Dist. 531 116
- Phone: (O) 08932 225285 (R) 08932 225785
- E mail: raghu@vjnns.org, karthik@vjnns.org
The Timbaktu Collective: Work with small holder farmers and agricultural labourer families in an area most affected by chronic drought, land, forest and water degradation, unemployment and poor infrastructural facilities.
- Address: Timbaktu Collective, Chennekothapalli Village, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh 515101
- Phone: +91-(0)8559-240149,240335,240339
- E mail: info@timbaktu.org
PRAVAH: A network which advocates for people-centered decentralized inclusive systems in drinking water and sanitation
- Address: 27/B, Green Park, Society, Near Kabadi Market, Behrampura, Ahmedabad 380022, Gujarat
- Phone:91-79-25351943
- E mail: amee.mankad@gmail.com
Arid Communities and Technologies : Has created a database on geohydrological characteristics of the Kutch area including thematic mapping e.g. geology, geomorphology, watershed, landuse, etc.
- Address:26, Banker's Colony, Near Jubilee Ground, Bhuj-Kachchh 651531
- Phone:91-9979850931
- E mail:act.pgwm@gmail.com
Lokvikas: A community-based volunteer organisation working towards conservation of groundwater resources
- Address: Saket House, 1, Panchsheel Society, Usmanpura, Ahmedabad 380013
- Phone: 91-79-7551931
- E mail: teamleader@lokvikas.org
Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI): Strives to provide a better quality of life to rural peoples and the urban poor of India by improving their sanitation situation
- Address: Gandhi Ashram,Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - 390027
- Phone: 91-079-27557702, 27556247
- E mail: esi.sughad@gmail.com
Biome Environmental Solutions: Their major groundwater related works are primarily to do with groundwater recharge and assessment
- Address: 1022, 6th Block, 1st Floor, HMT Layout, Vidyaranyapura Main Road, Vidyaranyapura, Bangalore 560097, Karnataka
- Phone: 91-80-41672790
- E mail:contact@biome-solutions.com
Arghyam : Supports the India Water Portal and the Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts, both of which are networks working on water and sanitation
- Address: Number 599, 12th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore 560008, Karnataka
- Phone: 91-80-41698941
- E mail: info@arghyam.org http://www.arghyam.org/ASHWAS
Parishudh Initiative: An initiative towards increasing sanitation levels
- Address: C/o KBBS Community College, Aiwan E Shahi Road,Gulbarga 585102
- E mail: parisudh.in@gmail.com
Consortium for DEWATS Dissemination (CDD): A network organisation which looks to collaborations and networking for meeting the Millennium Development Goals
- Address:621, 5th Main Road, OMBR Layout, Banaswadi Post, Bangalore 560043,
- Phone: Karnataka 91-80-25452804
- E mail:bangalore@cddindia.org
Peer Water Exchange : Is a combination of process, technology, and a human network designed to India's water and sanitation issues
- Adress: 163, Laughing Waters, Varthur Road, Ramagondanahalli, Bangalore 560066
- Phone:1-510-3384538
- E mail: info@blueplanetnetwork.org
Society for Natural Resource Management and Community Development: NGO working on issues of soil and water conservation and forestry
- Address: C-30, Divine Park View Apartment, Abhaykhand-III, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad
- Phone:91-120-4160161
- E mail: snrmcd@gmail.com
Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation: Has been involved with the restoration of river basin hydrology for two decades in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
- Address: Post Bag # 3, Ranikhet 263645, Almora District, Uttarakhand
- Phone: 91-5966-221516, 240430
- E mail: kpaul@grassrootsindia.com
Well & Water Works : Has been working on groundwater issues in urban India since 1985 with its main area of operation being Pune and its surroundings
- Address:1088 A, B1-2, Amritwel Society, Hare Krishna Mandir Path Model Colony, Pune 411016
- Phone: 91-20-25652486
- E mail:contactus@wellwaterworks.com
Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts: It is a platform to bring together all those interested in working on issues related to water conflicts in India into a loose network for action and interaction
- Address: 16, Kale Park, Someshwarwadi Road, Pashan, Pune 411008
- Phone: 91-020-25880786
- E mail: waterconflictforum@gmail.com
Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM): It functions as the secretariat of the Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India
- Address: 16, Kale Park, Someshwarwadi Road, Pashan, Pune 411008
- Phone: 91-020-25880786
- E mail:soppecom@gmail.com
World Vision India: WASH is an important component of their approach
- Address: #64, Raja Basanta Roy Rd, 2nd Floor, Southern Avenue/Rashbehari Jn, (Opp. Southern Avenue Allahabad Bank Building/Metro Stn: Kalighat), Kolkata 29
- Phone: 91-33-24197245/6/7/8
- E mail: mahesh_nathan@wvi.org
Aaranyak :Documenting different types of water conflicts in the North East in collaboration with the Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India
- Address: 50, Samanwoy Path, Survey, P.O. - Beltola, Guwahati 781028, Assam
- Phone:91-361-2230250
- E mail:info@aaranyak.org
Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO): An informal network of civil society, media, researchers and farmers working on issues of water, environment and climate change
- Address:R-3/A-4, J. M. Colony, Budharaja, Sambalpur 768004 Orissa
- Phone: 91-919437050103
- E mail: ranjanpanda@gmail.com
Udyama : Works with various CSOs and networks on issues of water and sanitation, particularly community water resource development
- Address: Plot No. HIG - 283, K-5 Kalinga Vihar, Post. Patrapada Bhubaneswar 751019, Orissa
- Phone: 91-674-2475656
- E mail: udyamapradeep@gmail.com
Gram Vikas: Promote processes which are sustainable, socially inclusive and gender equitable to enable critical masses of poor and marginalized rural people or communities to achieve a dignified quality of life.
- Address: Gram Vikas, Mohuda, Berhampur-760002,Orissa
- Phone: 91-680-2261866 to 2261869
- E mail:info@gramvikas.org
Centre for Environment and Development (CED): A network of nearly 300 organisations working as part of the National Environmental Awareness Campaign of MoEnvironment and Forest, Government of India
- Address:Thozhuvancode, Vattiyoorkavu P.O Thiruvananthapuram 695013
- Phone: 91-471-2369720
- E mail: director@cedindia.org
Gramalaya: A voluntary organisation working for water & sanitation
- Address: C-62 B, 10th cross,Further West extension, Near water tank,Thillainagar, Tiruchirapalli - 620 018,Tamilnadu
- Phone: 91-431-4021563, 2740263
- E mail:sdamodaran63@gmail.com, gramalaya@hotmail.com
SCOPE: Works in the field of sanitation
- Address: 40, Ramalinga Nagar West Extension Part II, Woraiyur,Trichy - 620 003
- Phone: 0431-2774144, 9443167190
- E-mail: scopeagency1986@rediffmail.com, scopeagency1986@gmail.com
Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Foundation: Building people and institutions for development innovations and scaling up to enable the poor communities for poverty reduction and self-reliance
- Address: Kennet Cross Road,Near Seventh Day School
1A, Vaidyanathapuram East Madurai 625 016, Tamil Nadu, INDIA - Phone: +91-452-2610794, 2610805
- E mail: dhanfoundation@dhan.org
EcoPro: contribute to an ecologically sound management of natural resources, primarily of water and soil.
- Address: Aurosarjan Complex, Auroshilpam, Auroville – 605101
- Phone: 0413-2622469 and -2906482
- E-mail: ep_office@auroville.org.in and ecopro@auroville.org.in
Leadership through Education and Action Foundation( LEAF Society): Strives to create equal opportunities for the marginalized and vulnerable communities
- Address: 0/134, Trichy Main Road, Periyaveppanatham Village,
Vasnathapuram Post, Namakkal, Tamilnadu, India. - Phone: 00-91-4286-230010
- E mail: leafsociety@gmail.com
Gandhigram Trust : Enhancement of socio-economic status of village community through interventions in Health, Education, Social welfare, Livelihood and Extension services
- Address: Gandhigram Trust, Gandhigram, Dindigul – 624302,Tamilnadu
- Phone: 0451-2452326
- E mail: ggmtrust@sify.com
Scientific Educational Development for Community Organisation (SEDCO): Involved in Watershed development programs, a platform for the organization and empowerment of the voice less marginalized people
- Address: 66, Chidambaranathan Street, Ramavarmapuram Nagercoil – 629 001
- Phone: 04652 – 229199
- E mail: sedcogeorge@yahoo.co.in
Megh Pyne Abhiyan: A campaign involving people around the issue of water and sanitation, and a functional network of grassroots organizations
- Address:A-702, Abhiyant, CGHS, Vasundhra Enclave, Delhi 110009
- Phone:9810307445
- Email: graminunatti@gmail.com
Sehgal Foundation: a public charitable trust working to strengthen community-led development initiatives to achieve positive social, economic, and environmental change across rural India.
- Address: Plot No. 34, Sector 44, Institutional Area, Gurgaon 122003, Haryana
- Phone: +91 124 474 4109
- Fax : 91-124-4744123
- Email : smsf@smsfoundation.org
Directory of international funding agencies :
It includes development banks, multilateral and bilateral organizations and support NGOs in the cause of water conservation
- Asian Development Bank (ADB): It promotes stakeholders participation in the management of water resources at all levels & encourages partnerships between governments, private agencies, NGOs, and communities
- Australian Aid Agency (AUSAID): Delivers aid to India in the sector including water and environmental sanitation
- Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA): Supports policy reform and investment by stimulating bilateral relationships which include private sector, NGO and institutional linkages, and government-to-government co-operation
- Danish International Development Agency(DANIDA): A key area for assistance is water and sanitation, with focus on ground water based rural water supply systems
- Delegation of European Commission: Supports programmes for rural and natural resources development including integrated watershed management
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Has introduced a NGO related schemes called JICA Partnership Program which aims to encourage a joint effort of the Indian and Japanese NGOs for better services, facilities and welfare to achieve a sustainable livelihood of the communities in India
- German Development Bank (KfW) : Focuses on contributing towards improving living conditions and combating poverty
- German Development Cooperation (GTZ): Provides technical and financial assistance for protection and sustainability of natural resources including watershed protection
- Department for International Development (DfID): One of the priority areas is promoting increased investment in clean water
- Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC): Supports economic infrastructure development, poverty reduction and environmental improvement and protection in India
- Royal Netherlands Embassy: Priority areas include water and sanitation with focus on few states – AP, Kerala and Gujarat
- Swedish Development Cooperation (SIDA): Works with various organizations including NGOs and multilaterals, and focuses on environment and poverty issues especially lack of clean water in select states
- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC): Promotes human and institutional development and one of the focus areas is sustainable management of water
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) : Supports developing and implementing a range of replicable models for water and sanitation sector
- US Agency for International Development (USAID): One of the key focuses is the link between dependable electricity supply and water conservation
- The World Bank: Partners with various organizations to reduce poverty and improve living standards, and among the focus areas is infrastructure development which includes water and sanitation sector
International foundations and programmes in the water & sanitation sector
- Aga Khan Foundation (AKF): Involved with rural development programmes in India & majority of its projects are grants to grassroots organisations interested in testing innovative approaches in a variety of settings
- Ford Foundation: Focuses on rural development in India, including assisting efforts to improve the management of both large-and small-scale irrigation facilities using pumped groundwater
- Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility (SGP-GEF): Provides grants to NGOs, CBOs and other for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities, including water conservation projects
NGOs and research institutes: There are also several international and national level institutions and research organizations that undertake water conservation projects in partnership with NGOs, such as:
- WaterAid : An international charity working on issues related to water and sanitation that also promotes networks among government, NGOs and community groups
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI) : An international organization, which works on different water related issues and through its IWMI-Tata policy program, it collaborates with a range of partners in India to analyze and document relevant water-management approaches
- Action for Food Production (AFPRO) : A socio-technical development NGO working to reduce rural poverty in India, with core competencies in land and water management among others. It provides technical guidance and back-up support to grassroots-level NGOs in implementing its mandate related projects
References
IWP requests users to view the same as a starting point in collating information on this topic, and to add more suggestions, information as responses in this thread.
Access here: FAQ on organisations/ NGOs working in the water & sanitation sector
Lead image source: Sourabh Phadke