SUSTAINABILITY Using Local Resources Presented by: Biju Mathew Manager-Programmes & Capacity Building Sense International (India) Working with deafblind people throughout India

What is Sustainability? To sustain means to continue, and Sustainability means the ability to sustain a certain set of activities, in a desired manner to achieve goals

Sustainable Deafblind Programmes.. Sustainability in terms of ….  Technical Expertise  Qualified Human Resource  Access to Training & Skill Up gradation  Updated information & Literature  Management Systems  Clear vision of the top management  Inclusion of deafblind programme in the overall planning of the organisation  Openness to learn and adapt

Sustainable Deafblind Programmes..  Pro-active HR policies  Financial Sustainability  Inclusion of deafblind programme in the overall budget of the organisation  Invest in developing Fund Raising expertise within the organisation  Focus efforts into tapping local community resources & Government funds

Sustainability using local resources.. Responding to local needs, keeping the social, cultural, economic and geographic realities in mind. Empowering local people, including parents to have control over the developments in a participatory way to ensure long-term sustainability. Sharing of information and resources between NGOs, thereby complimenting each others work

Sustainability using local resources.. Formation of local and regional forums of NGOs to take up regional and local agendas with governments Convergence of resources available with NGOS, INGOs and Government at local and regional level