Why Us - The Institutional Capacities & Credentials
Founder’s Identification in Local Context
The founder Mr. Nataraj hails from a meek backward community small farmer family living in mainly rainfed agriculture area, Mulbagal Block, Kolar District. Being the first son while he took most of the family responsibilities, he also stood with his father’s social responsibilities of community development, children’s literacy promotion activities and women self-help group promotion in 25 villages in the Taluk during his school days. His passion for community development made him what he is now. As a local small farmer he knows the socio-economic development issues, cultures of the peasant communities, familiar with the rural and urban livelihood of the poor communities of the Karnataka state.
Women and Youth Development
His continuous involvement and commitment for the women and youth development motivated him for the establishment of Jana Mithra Social Service Society in 2001. JMSSS started the promotion of women and youth groups in one Taluk with fifty groups. Now it has spread to 30 district of the state having promoted 15,000 successful groups of women SHGs and JLGs. There are about 400 youth groups in 15 district, and 120 farmers groups.
Geographical Coverage of Development Work
JMSSS is running development projects in 350 villages, 30 districts all over the state. However, the priority and focus is very much given to the most backward district in terms of infrastructure, unemployment, poverty, rainfed agriculture region, low literacy, IMR and MMR.
Micro-credit Performance Ranking
JMSSS has carved a benchmark in its development approach in terms of community participation, leadership, gender equality and inclusive process. Thjis enabled JMSSS to become one of the top five successful Micro Credit and Entreprnural Development institution in the State. Repayment rate is 99.9 percent. Retention rate is similarly 98 percent. Outstanding loan remain in relatively low level of 2 percent.
Institutional Efficacy
JMSSS is committed for institutional capacity building constantly. The organization is operating keeping its head office in Gandhi Nagar, Bangalore. Head office is virtually networked with 12 regional offices which manages and represents 30 districts. Apart from engaging committed human resource having values, integrity and performance the organization has its own Management Information System software and accounting software. The micro credit programme is well managed by senior level staff having banking experiences. Development activities are managed by good visionary personnel who could commit for gender justice, inclusive development and youth empowerment. There is an inbuilt dynamic M&E system to monitor and evaluate the activities, project and project cycle management, equipped with real-time feedback mechanism.
Financial Management
JMSSS is one the leading NGOs in the state in terms of proving its credibility and integrity. The ethical framework of the organization is the founding factor that shapes the management process. JMSSS is handling an annual turnover of Rs. 9000 million right now. Online transaction efficiency ensures the instant and safe operations. The organization has its own Financial Policy that emphasizes transparency. There is a good team of well-trained Chartered Accountants who head the team of eight accountants.
Sustainability
JMSSS is one of the few organization that train the community representatives on leadership and community social capital building. The organization has built strong local and regional institutions and systems managed by the trained local community representatives. Thus decentralization is the main strength of the organization.
Broader Development Perspective
JNSSS is state convener of the bigger forum called South India Volunteers Alliance for Commons (SIVA) having its interventions in four southern states – Karnataka, AP, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. JMSSS is playing a key role in shaping Climate Resilience Building among vulnerable communities. Right now the forum is engaging in a campaign on Global Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals and Community Based Climate Action. For this effort JMSSS is promoting awareness campaign on National Biological Diversity Act and National Climate Action Plan and committed to collaborate with State Biodiversity Board.