Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Organisations/NGOs working in Water and Sanitation
A curated directory of civil society organisations working on water and sanitation in India
24 Jan 2017
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List of organisations in water & sanitation sector

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.

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What is an NGO?

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.

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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.

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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.

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New Delhi

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

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Jharkhand

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

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Rajasthan 

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

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Madhya Pradesh

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

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Andhra Pradesh

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

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Gujarat

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

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Karnataka

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

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Uttar Pradesh

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

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Uttarakhand

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

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Maharashtra

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

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West Bengal

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

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 Assam

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

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Orissa

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

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Tamil Nadu

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

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 Bihar

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

Haryana

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

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Directory of international funding agencies :

It includes development banks, multilateral and bilateral organizations and support NGOs in the cause of water conservation

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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

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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

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 References

Solution Exchange India

Planning Commission, GoI 

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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

 

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