Powerful alliance between NGOs and Governments can prove game changer

Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

Jammu and Kashmir has gone through turmoil and political negligence in the past three decades and we all suffered and could not fight the agony caused by this. However, a group of people defied all inconveniences caused by the turmoil and continued to lend support to the society through different means under the banner of Trusts and non- governmental organisations (NGOs).

Even as there are innumerable such organisations that have been successfully working for the upliftment of the society, one such group merits attention – Chinar Valley Youth Trust. This Trust has been relentlessly working for youth to keep them away from society evils and make their future bright. The Trust is actively working to empower youth through education, skill development, mental health support, and conflict rehabilitation.

Notably, the process of youth empowerment in the region involves more than just words—it’s a commitment to action. It’s about involving the young population in community decision-making, offering them education, skills, and meaningful opportunities that will not only benefit them individually but also contribute to the broader society.

Empowering Kashmiri youth is a multifaceted endeavour that touches upon various aspects of their lives. Acknowledging the vital role of youth empowerment, the government of Jammu & Kashmir launched Mission Youth—an initiative aimed at holistic youth engagement and outreach. This innovative endeavour has established over 4,290 youth clubs since its inception in 2021, training volunteers to tackle real challenges and effect meaningful change. The success of Mission Youth stands as a testament to the transformative power of empowering Kashmiri youth and serves as a harbinger of more such initiatives that are urgently needed to dispel the persistent trauma and tension affecting their lives.

The potential of Kashmiri youth is immense, and harnessing this potential requires a comprehensive approach. Through education, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, sports, community engagement, mental health support, and enhanced connectivity, the youth can be empowered to shape a prosperous and harmonious future for themselves and their region. By investing in the empowerment of Kashmiri youth, we pave the way for a more stable and harmonious region, fostering hope, unity, and lasting positive change.

Meanwhile, a word about the brain behind Chinar Valley Youth Trust, Shiraz Malik. The visionary founder and chairperson of Trust has dedicated her life to serving the people of Kashmir through her tireless social work and leadership. With a deep sense of compassion and commitment, she established this organization with the aim of bringing positive change to society — especially among youth, women, and underprivileged communities.

Chinar Valley Youth Trust has organized numerous impactful initiatives across various sectors — including sports, healthcare, environmental cleanliness, drug de-addiction awareness, women’s empowerment, and senior citizens’ welfare. The chairperson has always believed that true development begins with collective responsibility, and she has inspired hundreds of young people to join hands for a better, cleaner, and healthier Kashmir.

Her consistent efforts and selfless dedication have made Chinar Valley Youth Trust a symbol of hope and progress. They continue to lead from the front, ensuring that every project undertaken by the Trust serves humanity and contributes to the upliftment of society as a whole.

Powerful Alliance
It’s worth mentioning that NGOs and governments can form powerful alliances to deliver impactful programs in remote and underserved areas. Their collaboration can bridge gaps in infrastructure, trust, and reach—especially where state presence is limited. Here’s a structured approach to how they can work together effectively.

Strategic Collaboration Framework

1. Shared Vision and Co-Design

• Joint Needs Assessment: Conduct participatory rural appraisals to identify local priorities.
• Co-creation of Programs: Align NGO innovation and agility with government policy frameworks and funding.
• Cultural Sensitivity: NGOs often have grassroots trust; governments can leverage this to tailor interventions.

2. Resource Pooling

• Government: Provides funding, policy support, infrastructure, and scale.
• NGOs: Contribute technical expertise, community mobilization, and last-mile delivery.
• Public-Private-NGO Triads: Involve corporates for CSR funding and tech enablement.

3. Capacity Building
.​Train Local Cadres: Jointly train community health workers, teachers, or digital facilitators.

• Knowledge Exchange: NGOs can upskill government field staff in participatory methods and monitoring.

4. Decentralized Implementation

• District-Level MoUs: Empower local administrations to partner with NGOs for context-specific solutions.
• Pilot → Scale: NGOs can pilot innovations; governments can scale successful models nationally.

5. Monitoring and Accountability

• Joint Dashboards: Use digital tools for real-time tracking of program outcomes.
• Third-Party Audits: Ensure transparency and build public trust.

6. Policy Feedback Loop

• NGOs can channel community voices to inform policy tweaks.
• Governments can institutionalize successful NGO models into national schemes.
  Support Policy Advocacy and Legal Frameworks
  J&K government should equip NGOs Like Chinar with advocacy toolkits: policy briefs, data-driven reports, and communication plans to influence district-level policymakers. Facilitate regular roundtables where NGOs can share field insights with elected representatives and administrators. A unified civil-society voice on issues like Drug Abuse, Mental Health or rural connectivity can unlock regulatory reforms. We need to make organisations like Chinar very strong who can carry on good work for the benefit of the society.
  (Straight Talk Communications Exclusive)

(The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not that of Straight Talk Communications)