Pakistan’s NGO sector faces exciting new challenges. The availability of donor funding, and a gradual recognition of the place of civil society among both the public and private spheres, has seen tremendous growth in the number and scope of non-profit organisations in the country. At the same time, there are obstacles that need to be tackled. Most NGOs suffer from weak management, limited access to resources, and faltering attempts to scale up their operations. The long-drawn-out process of securing government certification affects the credibility of the non-profit sector, restricting access to donors and hindering such organisations from gaining
tax exemption.

To tackle some of these issues, the Aga Khan Foundation has developed the Institutional Management and Certification Program (IMCP) which aims to strengthen management capacity and promote management standards in the NGO sector in Pakistan. The NGORC will implement this programme, providing training and consulting support to NGOs to meet set management standards. The two-year programme is funded jointly by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), USA. IMCP focuses
on NGOs that are working in the same sectors that are priority areas for USAID: education, health, economic growth, democracy and good governance.

Objectives of the Programme

- To strengthen and increase the competitive base of Pakistani NGOs, enabling
them to qualify for USAID funding
- To orient NGOs in meeting the requirements necessary for certification as a nonprofit
organisation by the Government of Pakistan and its certification agencies
- To engage key leaders in the non-profit sector and inform them about the programme

Programme activities are divided into three components. Progress on each component
in 2003 is as follows:

1. Improving management strategies for NGOs that are meeting
standards on their own
- A total of 70 organisations were short-listed, of which 40 organisations will
eventually be selected according to predetermined selection criteria. The short
list is currently being reviewed by AKF(P) and USAID
- Basic data for the 70 short-listed NGOs was collected for review by the NGORC
2. NPO certification
- A list of potential partner organisations was developed
- Draft standards/parameters were obtained from the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy
and are being studied
- Collected information about international models of NGO certification
3. Dissemination and outreach
- Through training events, orientation seminars and partner meetings, NGORC
shared information about IMCP objectives and activities with NGOs and government
agencies