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India

ICNL’s resources and information on India.

Overview

ICNL works closely with local partners to help build civil society partnerships and provide resources on the non-profit sector and philanthropy in India. These resources include papers on the civil society regulatory framework, a philanthropy law report, and the India Civic Freedom Monitor, which offers a snapshot of Indian laws and various developments relevant to civic space. ICNL also supports efforts to raise awareness around issues related to funding, digital rights, securitization, and other areas affecting civil society in India.

Flag of India (Graphic Credit: Wikimedia)
Jharia coalfield, Jharkhand photo credit Wikimedia Commons, taken from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47537417

Case Study: Public Input in Indian Coal Mines

Environmental participation report author Meenakshi Kapoor explores the impacts of disenfranchisement of local communities and tribal peoples of North Urimari, as the government and mining companies ignore their complaints in the articles from Carbon Copy. This story has been supported by the International Centre for Not-for-profit Law as part of a study on public participation in environmental decisions.

Baspa River, photo credit Sanyam Bahga via Creative Commons taken from https://www.flickr.com/photos/21930651@N06/9527158279

Case Study: Public Input in Indian Environmental Decisions

Environmental participation report author Meenakshi Kapoor explores the impacts of disenfranchisement of local communities and tribal peoples of Kinnaur around the Shongtong Hydroelectric Project, as the government fast-tracks large project approvals and removes environmental protections in this article from The Bastion. This story has been supported by the International Centre for Not-for-profit Law as part of a study on public participation in environmental decisions.

India flag (credit: unsplash.com)

India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act

In recent years, India has enacted a number of regulatory measures constricting funding for domestic non-profit organizations, the most well-known of which is the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The act represents a securitized approach to foreign funding that is out of step with international standards. It has obstructed humanitarian relief efforts in India during the recent COVID-19 surge and other disasters. Our resource page provides analysis, information, and key resources on FCRA.

computer with digital bar graph (photo credit: pixabay.com)

Creating a Truly Social Stock Exchange in India

As India, the world’s largest democracy, gears up to construct an SSE, a comprehensive analysis of the experiences, structures, and learnings from SSEs across the world can help civil society, policymakers, and the private sector create a more enabling environment for social organizations. This report written by Samhita in partnership with ICNL, reviews the social stock exchanges of Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Jamaica, the UK, Singapore, and Canada to provide analysis of the recommendations proposed by India’s SSE working group. Read the full report here. 

Young woman on leather couch working at a laptop while browsing her phone (Photo: Maxim Ilyahov on Unsplash)

India Digital Freedoms Series

Amidst trends towards authoritarianism and closing civic space, India’s changing landscape calls for attention. This report series, researched and written by the Centre for Internet and Society with support from ICNL,  undertakes an examination of four key topics related to digital rights and civic space in India: internet shutdowns, online censorship, platform governance, and surveillance. Read the full report here.


Civic Freedom Monitor

Global Grantmaking Country Notes

In partnership with the Council on Foundations, ICNL maintains reports on thirty-four countries that help U.S grantmakers undertake equivalency determinations for foreign grantees. The reports in this series describe the legal frameworks for nonprofit organizations and provide translations of relevant legislative provisions.

CLICK TO VISIT THE COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS' WEBSITE FOR THE INDIA COUNTRY NOTE

Philanthropy Law Report

Indian culture places great emphasis on giving. The ancient philosophy of Nishkama Karma – “do good without the expectation of getting a reward” – profoundly influences many peoples’ lives. At the national level, the legal framework is considered relatively supportive of civil society, and particularly supportive of philanthropic giving. This report explores the current state of laws and regulations affecting philanthropy, unpacking the history, and the present-day legal environment. It is accompanied by supplemental materials to provide more context on civil society and philanthropy in India.

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