Grant Management and Autonomy
Till 1970’s IGSSS acted as grant disbursal agency of the projects in India sanctioned by Misereor. By 80s, we gained autonomy in partners and project selection. On March 29, 1980, the new office building of IGSSS at 28 Institutional Area, Lodi Road was blessed and the office shifted to the new premises subsequently.
Towards New Image and Structures
1990s was a crucial decade for IGSSS as we established our regional structures and launched innovative programs like ATMA (Awareness Training and Motivation for Action) which focused on community mobilization and capacity building and SMILE (Students Mobilisation Initiative for Learning through Exposure) which focused on youth development.
Thematic Focus and Rights Based Approach
The decade of 2000 gave us a new identity. We became Indo-Global Social Service Society, with a new vision, mission and a strategic plan. Focus moved beyond partner management to building thematic expertise, direct project implementation and establishing project-based structures. During this decade we took our first step in urban poverty programming. In 2006, IGSSS won the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for Philanthropy in Emerging Economies. IGSSS’ Urban Poverty initiative achieved success when the Honourable Supreme Court of India used an IGSSS study on the homeless in Delhi and ordered for night shelters in all states, on the criteria of one shelter per one lakh population (as stated in the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021).
Reimagining and Moving Forward
2019 has been a landmark year in shaping what we are today. Post changes in FCRA and the COVID pandemic, IGSSS’ transformation started. In 2020, IGSSS shifted to direct implementation where regional structures were abolished, and state-based implementation structure came into being. With the arrival of COVID-19 pandemic, IGSSS took a massive COVID relief and rehabilitation operation. Presently, IGSSS is moving forward strongly as a direct implementation agency with acknowledged thematic expertise in Rural and Urban development.
