Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action, India

In conjunction with local Non-Governmental Organisations, the Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action (CIVA) set up the National Foundation for India (NFI) Innovations Fund, which encouraged people living in extreme poverty to find creative solutions to their problems. With TRAID's donation of £90,000 between 1999 and 2001, the NFI initiated four projects.

Small NFI grants were provided to five health projects run by local development organisations. The projects focused on male reproductive health and AIDS awareness, immunisation and pre & post-natal care, sanitation, community healthcare and the needs of disabled children. In partnership with the UN, the NFI organised a conference regarding the International Year of Volunteers 2001 in India and the UK. Attendees included NGOs, development agencies, government officials and funders. The NFI also set up Youth Banks in secondary schools, youth clubs and street children projects, which provided funds for young people to get involved in community development. The children themselves were entirely responsible for running the banks. Finally, the NFI also supported the establishment of community foundations by networks of poor people both in a Mysore slum colony and with ethnic minority groups in Tamil Nadu.

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