Eligibility Criteria for NGOs The eligibility criteria for NGOs to participate in the Project are: A legal entity.

. The NGO should be a registered body under applicable State Law. Registration should be for at least 3 years. The organization should have the organizational mandate to participate in SHG promotion activities. A non-political and secular organization with no affiliate to political parties (especially among the executives). An independent governing body. An organization becomes eligible as long as it has no representation from Project implementing department or units. Non-governmental entity. Sources of funds may be either owned funds or fees related to specific activities or services and government grants. The staff should have been hired from the non-governmental sector. The organization preferably has sources of funds other than government funds. Functioning. For a minimum period of 3 years, at least in the state/district. Preference will be given to Groups working and exhibiting a sustained field presence in Shella, Bholaganj, Mawkynrew, Pynursla, Rongara, Chokpot and Umsning blocks. A successful proven record of intermediation services. Mobilizing rural communities for group action, knowledge of forming SHGs is preferable and desirable SHG promotion preferably through NABARD, where sufficient capacity building has taken place and not solely SGSY. Working with women, landless and less endowed sections of the society, engagement in building linkages between the SHGs and the bank and other agencies (government, private, etc.) is desirable. Staff composition. Should be such as either already endowed or be in a position to deploy appropriate staff with required skills. Staffs must have knowledge in the local languages. A good record of bookkeeping. Basic financial records such as cash books, ledgers and audited financial statements updated and exist as evident from audited statement of accounts at least for the last three years. Free from litigation, which will adversely affect the Project activities. Clear administrative management policies (esp. for recruitment of staff, staff remuneration, leave and transfers). In case they do not have these at the time of selection, they should develop them within a month of signing the agreement. Clear Vision, Mission and organizational Road-map. The NGO should have (or must develop within a two month period upon selection) a clear vision, mission and strategic plan for their organization clarity about their own objectives and strategies and reasons for undertaking any program, intervention, some mechanisms for performance review, basic information and reports on the project implemented. Acceptability of the agency. In the proposed working area. Field presence. The NGO/Institutions should have an office or be prepared to set up office and post personnel in the project area/villages. Openness. The NGO should display an ability to demonstrate an openness to learn and absorb new strategies and ideas and should be able to network with other participating NGOs/Is in a team spirit and should be adjustable to varied operational modalities. Accounting procedures. The NGO/Institutions should be agreeable to follow and abide by the accounting procedures that are laid out by MRDS. Agreement. Signing of MoU with MRDS will be a prerequisite before the NGO can undertake the MRDS project activities. There will be a probation period of 6 months

before the contract is finalized. The NGO should deploy staff who will immediately be stationed and ready to start work in the field on signing of the MoU. Some of the tasks of the Facilitating NGOs/Institutions will include: Community Mobilisation and awareness raising on several issues. Mobilisation SHGs and Training SHGs in savings and credit activities and other joint income generating activities. Evaluating their performance and establishing bank linkage program. Establishing SHG federations and providing necessary inputs for their capacity building. Establishing participatory monitoring systems at the SHG level with emphasis on measuring height and weight of children under five and providing feedback to the mothers. Working to strengthen CBOs. Ensuring marginalized groups and women in all program activities. Undertaking PRA and micro-planning exercise. Undertake other task as prescribed by MRDS from time to time.