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Background (CDP):
The Government of Sindh has initiated a Community Development Programme (CDP) to support the development activities undertaken by Sindh based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Government of Sindh will give preference to the CSOs certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP). The CDP intends to provide support to CSOs who wish to apply for PCP’s Certification.
What is Certification?
The certification programme seeks to bring transparency, accountability, and good governance in the non-profit sector of Pakistan. The first initiative of its kind in South Asia; it involves the evaluation of a CSO on standardized parameters of internal governance, financial management and programme delivery. The assessment aims to enhance a CSOs’ credibility and resultantly its access to funding. Through the allied activities of this programme, PCP also promotes certified CSOs in an annual directory and on its website.
Benefits of Certification:
In addition to be eligible to receive CDP funds, the PCP certified CSOs will also enjoy the following benefits:
• Enhanced Credibility: Making them trustworthy in the eyes of philanthropists & donors
• Tax Exemption: FBR grants tax exemption to CSOs under section 61 read with section 2(36) and clause 58(3) of the second schedule of the Income Tax Ordnance, 2001
• Enhanced Resource Base: Opens up avenues for increased donor assistance by creating linkages with national and international aid agencies
• Indirect Capacity Building: Meeting different certification parameters under the guidance of PCP professionals the CSO can benefit from indirect capacity building of institutional processes like governance, financial management and programme delivery.
For further details about Certification programme please see the certification section of PCP website or click here.
Eligibility Criteria for Application: (Please read the full application eligibility criteria carefully before applying.)
The Community Development Program (CDP) will finance the CSOs willing to apply for PCP’s Certification. CSOs having average annual receipts up to PKR 10 Million (average of the last three years) may apply directly to PCP for the certification support. Applications under this scheme / Programme must reach PCP before September 26, 2012. The envelope should also be clearly marked “APPLICATION UNDER CDB, SINDH PROJECT”.
The CSOs who fulfill the following criteria will be eligible:
- The applicant CSO is registered in Sindh under any of the registration laws and functional for the last three years.
- The major Programmes of the CSO are in Sindh.
- CSO is established for charitable, welfare or development purposes or for any other purpose of general public benefit and does not propagate the views of any political party or religious sect.
- CSO’s charter prescribes that in case of its dissolution any assets, remaining after the settlement of debts and liabilities, shall be transferred to a body or bodies in accordance with the applicable/ registered laws.
- CSO’s documents state that it is a non-profit-distributing entity and that all its income, commodities, property and other assets shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objectives. It prohibits that funds or property of the CSO or any part thereof are paid or transferred directly or indirectly to any of the directors/ staff of CSO or their relatives.
- All assets are held in the name of or are legally assigned to the CSO or its Governing Body (GB). CSO has a functional GB and it maintains its accounts with a scheduled bank, savings centre or post office with its name.
- An external auditor has audited the accounts for the last three years.
- No adverse decree has been passed during the last ten years against the CSO in any of the civil courts in Pakistan on grounds of fraud or breach of trust.
- CSO’s charter prohibits any changes therein without prior approval of the Commissioner of Income Tax or FBR, as the case may be and prescribes for restricting the surpluses or moneys validly set apart, excluding restricted funds, up-to twenty-five per cent of the total income of the year.
- The quorum of meetings of the GB of the CSO, as provided by its charter is not less than four members or 1/3rd of total membership of such body, whichever is greater.
- CSO’s charter provides for the regular maintenance of books of accounts in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles and for their inspection by the interested members of the public, without any hindrance, at all reasonable times.
- An authorization by the CSO on its letterhead, authorizing PCP to share all of its findings, including the certification report, with CDP.
Selection Method:
The evaluation of the applicant CSOs will be in two steps.
Step # 1:
1.1: All the CSOs will directly apply to PCP on prescribed certification application form along with all the mandatory documents and a pay order for Rs 10,000/ in the favor of “Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy”, as initial scrutiny fee.
1.2: Due to limited resources only 40 CSOs who fulfill the eligibility criteria will be considered for the initial scrutiny.
1.3: Total 40 CSOs will be selected through a draw. Preference will be given to the CSOs who are or have been CDP partners.
1.4: The initial scrutiny fee of Rs. 10,000/- will be refunded to all the applicant CSOs who have not been selected through a draw for the initial scrutiny.
1.5: PCP will conduct an initial scrutiny of the documents to determine eligibility against the above mentioned criteria.
1.6: After the initial scrutiny the list of eligible CSOs will be forwarded to CDP for final selection.
Step # 2:
Selected CSOs will undergo a detailed evaluation against the certification parameters. The detailed process is as follows:
2.1: CDP will select the CSOs for certification support.
2.2: CDP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.
2.3: The cost of certification for selected CSOs will be covered by CDP.
2.4: PCP will evaluate the selected CSOs against the predefined certification parameters ( Click Here to download the Certification Model). 2.5: Evaluation report of the CSOs will be presented to an independent certification panel (CP) for a final decision.
2.6: The decision of the CP along with the report will be shared with the respective CSO and the CDP.
Initial Scrutiny Fee:
- The CDP will cover the certification cost of the selected CSOs. However, for initial scrutiny CSOs must submit the complete application along with all the mandatory documents and an original pay order of PKR 10,000/- (non-refundable, if selected for initial scrutiny) in favor of Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy.
- Incomplete applications or applications received without original pay-order will not be entertained.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact PCP at the following address.
PROGRAMME MANAGER CERTIFICATION
PAKISTAN CENTRE FOR PHILANTHROPY-(PCP)
1-A, St # 14, F-8/3, ISLAMABAD
Tel: 51-2855903-04, 2287077,
Fax: 51-2287073
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Govt. of Sindh Support for PCP's Certification
