Leadership Development Program for 8-NGO Cohort
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ABOUT SELCO FOUNDATION
SELCO Foundation is an open source, not for profit organization that engages in field-based R&D and ecosystem building for deployment of clean energy solutions that alleviate poverty in tribal, rural and urban poor areas. The organization works closely with practitioners in the social sector, energy entrepreneurs and partners from various developmental sectors.
CONTEXT FOR THE PHICUS ENGAGEMENT
Over the last 6 years, SELCO has developed a robust system for incubating rural and semi-urban energy entrepreneurs in various parts of India. Its incubation process is end-to-end for most of the selected entrepreneurs.
One of the critical components of the NGO IR program is Leadership Development. Leaders of an organization are instrumental in building sustainable organizations and driving social impact. In the context of COVID – 19, leaders have face threats across multiple fronts – self; family; staff; organization; community; funders; partners; governmental and financial systems. The pressure on them to reinvent and adapt is phenomenal.
THE COLLABORATION
Selco Foundation collaborated with Phicus to help them design the Leadership Development part of the incubation program. This engagement was envisioned to be an in-person workshop for leadership teams across 8 NGOs in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, North East, and Bangalore. Due to the pandemic, the intervention was conducted virtually.
Phicus conducted a detailed needs assessment study to understand strengths and challenges of the 8 NGOs. Based on the needs gathered across the organizations, a 6-part series of Leadership Sessions were designed. These Leadership Series workshops were 2-hour sessions conducted every week. The last session was a 101 session with each of the NGOs to help them plan for the next 6 months.
The objectives of the leadership series were focused around 4 dimensions – Personal Leadership, Team Leadership, Organizational leadership and Adapting to the changing ecosystem. Methodology was varied by using guest/ expert speakers, pre-read and pre-work, surveys, pools, reflections, handbooks, videos etc.
The program was very well received by the leaders of these organizations. Each organization created an action plan for the next year to enable the organization to grow.
NEXT STEPS
Selco Foundation has integrated Leadership Development as an integral part of the incubation program. A refined, revised, version 2 will be launched this year for a new set of incubatees for the program.
