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| Accreditation |
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| Accreditation is one of Credibility Alliance’s new programmes evolved from the necessity to further increase the credibility of voluntary organisations in India. The main purpose of the accreditation exercise is to develop a cost effective mechanism of periodic evaluation for voluntary organisations in India. Accreditation of voluntary organisations in India is a relatively new concept. However, we have been in dialogue with various stakeholders regarding the importance of accreditation. As a result, we developed concrete plans to make it a reality for the voluntary sector here. Some of the questions around accreditation are answered below. |
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| What is the meaning of Accreditation and Accreditation of VOs? |
Accreditation is the process by which a facility becomes officially certified as providing service of a reasonably good quality, so that the public can trust in the quality of its services.
Accreditation of VOs refers to the certification of upholding of the quality of an organization, which adheres to the minimum norms set by CA. |
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| How Accreditation is different from Credibility Alliance membership? |
Credibility Alliance membership is purely based on self-declaration by an organization to adhere to the norms set by the alliance and is on recommendation of concerned state committee.
Accreditation officially states that the organization follows the set norms and is credible in true sense. This involves periodical and thorough evaluation by a panel of assessors and certification by Credibility Alliance. |
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| Why Accreditation of VOs? |
The emergence of voluntary sector as a major contributor in social development process, its rapid growth both in size and numbers and huge flow of money towards it from Government/private and international organisations has put a question mark on the credibility of voluntary sector itself.
Also, the report of the steering committee on voluntary sector for The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) recommends that:
“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) needs to be promoted. To attract corporate funding and partnership with private sector, accrediting or validation of VOs / NGOs and a methodology for that is required.”
Accreditation/certification of voluntary organisations would be useful for both public and private sector and also for international donor agencies to select credible organisations for funding.
Accreditation of VOs would provide access to various stakeholders, some mechanism to understand the VOs and strengthen the spirit of voluntarism and philanthropy. In addition, the mechanism would preserve the autonomy of the sector even while establishing a robust mechanism for self-regulation. |
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| What are the criteria for Accreditation? |
| The organisations would be classified on the basis of their size, funding, number of projects in order to have a corresponding panel of accreditors. This would also influence the time taken to evaluate the organization. The Accreditation process would be based on fulfillment to the minimum and desirable norms of Credibility Alliance. |
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| What is the difference between Accreditation and Rating of VOs? |
| Ratings are grades issued, based on the level of compliance of NGOs to certain indicators/criteria/norms developed in association with the help of experts in the social sector. These are in the form of A+, A, B etc. In accreditation, certification is done through a YES / NO process based on compliance to the minimum/desirable norms set by Credibility Alliance. If they are unable to do the same then they are referred for capacity building. |
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| What is the process of Accreditation of VOs? |
| Accreditation Process: |
- The organization approaches Credibility Alliance (CA) for accreditation.
- CA sends the Accreditation forms to be filled-up by the applicant VO.
The applicant VO submits the Accreditation form together with the required documents and fees.
- Initial screening of application for completeness by CA office.
- Communication with VO to complete application in case of deficiencies.
- Desk review followed by visit to VO’s principal location by Assessment Team.
- Evaluation by Assessment Team and recommendation to CA office.
- Accreditation cell in CA office will ensure completeness of application / Assessment Team’s recommendation and forward application to Accreditation Panel at the head office
- Accreditation panel to review recommendation and award accreditation certificate or reject application.
- After receiving all information and evaluation feedback, CA submits certification results to the VO if it fits to the criteria.
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| What is the importance of Accreditation? |
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| The setting up of accreditation mechanism would institutionalize the accreditation process and would establish a transparent system where various VOs can be evaluated for their commitment and practice of principles of good governance. It would also provide access to various stakeholders some mechanism to understand the VOs and strengthen the spirit of voluntarism and philanthropy. In addition, the mechanism would preserve the autonomy of the sector even while establishing a robust mechanism for self-regulation. |
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| What are the Benefits of Accreditation? |
- Public Trust/Perception of Greater Accountability: Certification programs are seen as important steps towards strengthening the public’s trust in the sector.
- Improved Governance, Management and Operation: Programmes, particularly those with focus on improvement of the organization themselves, also cited benefits in promoting good organizational practices by participating organisations.
- Sense of belonging: Participation in this process will include attaining an identity as being part of a larger collective / network / alliance; sharing experiences to build up the credibility of the sector as a whole and becoming part of a broader social network and support system
- Membership: One year free membership would be awarded to all organisations, which have been accredited by CA. Membership of the alliance, will include recognition as being committed to a set of Norms; conferring a status that it is efficient, effective and reliable.
- Capacity Building Support: Accreditation will enable the organization to have access to capacity building support, according to the organisations needs.
- Likelihood of Financial and Other Forms of Support: Improved and recognized standards of governance and public disclosure are likely to generate increased financial support for the organization. Donors (both institutional and individual) are more likely to consider applications and appeals from organisations, which comply with the Norms.
- Guidestar India: The organization accredited by CA will appear as accredited VOs on GuideStar India website.
- Web support: The organization’s profile giving brief information about the organization will appear on CA’s Website.
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| Who Can Apply for Accreditation? |
| The organization registered as a Trust/Society/Section 25 (not for profit) company and one has been functioning for minimum one year from the date of registration can apply for Accreditation. |
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| What is the Validity of Accreditation Certificate? |
| The Accreditation Certificate is valid for 3 year and can be renewed for another two years e.g. submission of annual report, audited financial document etc. |
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| Apply for accreditation |
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| Process of Accreditation |
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