UTSA, ALO, CDHR (Nepal) Thu, May 15, 2025
The discussion centered on strategies for collaboration among various NGOs, with a focus on enhancing youth engagement and securing funding through crowdfunding initiatives. Altaf Kazi Mahmood outlined his approach to partnering with organizations like the YMCA in Macedonia and emphasized the importance of platforms such as Globalgiving for fundraising. He expressed a commitment to building a coalition called Erasmus+ to facilitate training projects for NGOs, while also addressing concerns about trust and collaboration among different organizations. Successful initiatives, such as the Girls Lead Our World project, were cited as examples of effective multi-organization collaboration.
Altaf detailed the coalition’s strategy for crowdfunding, highlighting the significance of social awareness initiatives and outreach in fundraising success. He reported that they had already raised $7,000 and planned to utilize social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp to engage potential donors. Discussions included the need for effective communication and marketing strategies, as well as the importance of training NGO staff to enhance their capacity in grant writing and donor communication. Deepak Pokhrel, co-founder of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights, shared his experience in securing funding and expressed enthusiasm for collaboration, particularly with organizations connected through Altaf.
The conversation also explored the creation of a collaborative platform for NGOs to share resources and apply for grants, with an emphasis on involving European partners to leverage their expertise. Altaf proposed developing accessible digital platforms to facilitate collaboration and mentioned the necessity of partnering with American NGOs to access international crowdfunding opportunities. The discussion highlighted the alignment of objectives among the participating organizations, particularly in relation to human rights and social justice, and the potential for multidisciplinary projects that could benefit youth in Nepal.
Collaboration and Crowdfunding Strategies for NGOs
Altaf Kazi Mahmood outlined plans for engaging with an NGO that promotes youth involvement and global outreach. He highlighted the significance of crowdfunding, mentioning his connections with the YMCA and the potential to access various funding platforms. Additionally, he is working on a coalition called Erasmus+ to support NGO training projects and is exploring other project applications if necessary.
* The Erasmus+ project application and its timeline.
Crowdfunding Strategies and Opportunities
Altaf Kazi Mahmood highlighted the coalition consortium’s approach to crowdfunding, mentioning the need for effective marketing and outreach to maximize funding potential. He noted that they have already secured $7,000 in crowdfunding and emphasized the absence of limits in this funding method. Mahmood also indicated plans to collaborate with Mr. Steven to explore crowdfunding platforms and support options.
Collaboration and Training Initiatives for NGOs
Altaf Kazi Mahmood highlighted the necessity of providing exposure to NGO staff through virtual seminars and communication tools. He plans to collaborate with European partners, including organizations like CCG and the International Space Alliance, to enhance training and grant application skills. Anwar Hossain expressed support for these recommendations and mentioned their ongoing project focused on connecting various stakeholders.
Introduction of Deepak Pokhrel and Discussion on NGO Collaboration
Deepak Pokhrel, based in Kathmandu, discussed his background in NGOs and his recent establishment of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights. He emphasized the need for advocacy in light of the current political climate in Nepal, where democratic values are under threat. Deepak also highlighted his experience in fundraising and project management, indicating his readiness to collaborate with other organizations.
Collaborative Platform Development for NGO Training
Altaf Kazi Mahmood proposed the development of a collaborative platform for NGOs, aiming to connect at least 10 to 15 organizations through Facebook, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. He highlighted the importance of applying for a grant for NGO training and suggested that engaging European partners would provide valuable resources and support. The discussion also touched on the use of Discord as a platform for collaboration, although he noted that many NGOs in South Asia are unfamiliar with it.
Collaborative Strategies for Grant Access and Crowdfunding
Altaf Kazi Mahmood outlined a plan to establish accessible digital platforms for organizations to share resources and collaborate on projects, which would serve as a prototype for grant applications. He stressed the importance of partnering with American NGOs to gain access to international crowdfunding platforms, which local organizations in Nepal and surrounding countries currently lack. This partnership would enable them to conduct projects like youth training and exchange programs.
* Collaboration strategies for approaching NGOs and crowdfunding.
Introduction to UTSA and Collaboration Opportunities
Deepak Pokhrel asked for information about UTSA, leading Anwar to explain the organization’s community-based approach using theater for social awareness and mental health. Established in 1997, UTSA has engaged in various programs over the years. Altaf Kazi Mahmood suggested that UTSA’s work aligns well with human rights and social justice initiatives, proposing potential collaborative projects with Nepali youth.
Collaboration and Outreach Strategies
Altaf Kazi Mahmood highlighted the necessity for collaboration among four organizations to create a platform for costless programs, suggesting that a USA-based NGO is essential for this initiative. He also requested the establishment of a Discord account for organizational communication. Additionally, discussions included the need for a nomination letter to facilitate outreach to universities.
- The creation of a collaborative digital platform for NGOs.
- The importance of trust and communication among participating organizations.
Action Items:
- Altaf Kazi Mahmood will brainstorm how to approach the NGO before the initial communication.
- Altaf Kazi Mahmood will post funding opportunities on social media platforms starting from week two.
- Altaf Kazi Mahmood will share the Erasmus Plus open call and project concept via email.
- Altaf Kazi Mahmood will summarize the meeting and provide the minutes.
- Deepak Pokhrel will create a Discord account for his organization.
Key Questions:
- What is the timeline for feedback on the Erasmus+ project application?
- How will the collaboration with the American NGO enhance access to crowdfunding platforms?
𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄
