CSO Partners’ Management Development Programmes (MDPs) have been initiated in 2011 to provide detailed insights into specific themes. MDPs are designed for both NGOs and Corporates and take place over a period of 3 – 5 days.

The first Management Development Programme for Corporates being conducted by CSO Partners is on the theme of Results Based Management for High Impact CSR Initiatives. In partnership with the S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, this 5 Day MDP was developed with a vision of engaging business in responsible and sustainable practices. Starting in January, the programme will be conducted in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai. Further information along with the Registration Form can be obtained in the brochure and on the microsite.

Additionally, the following two MDPs are scheduled to roll out in the year 2011 - 2012:

• CSR Best practices for CSR Executives and Managers
• Social immersion programme for CEOs

Initiated in 2009, CSO Partners’ Annual Workshop Series is conducted in partnership with thematic experts. Apart from receiving pointed inputs, the workshops provide a networking platform for NGOs to interact with one another, leading to potential avenues for collaboration.

2011: Direct Taxes Code & FCRA: Implications for CSOs

The workshop series objectives were to (a) create awareness on the Direct Taxes Code & discuss the Income tax Implications and other legal issues pertaining to CSOs, (b) to discuss the legal interpretation of various proposed and existing legal controversies of the FCRA, 2011 and issues pertaining to CSOs, and (c) to generate public opinion on the matter and encourage CSOs to assume an active role in influencing policy. The workshops were conducted in partnership with the Socio Research and Reform Foundation (SRRF) in 7 cities from the 5th of May to the 29th of July 2011: Delhi, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. A total of 264 participants representing 181 organizations participated in this workshop series.

2010: Parliamentary Procedure and Engaging Effectively with Parliamentarians and Legislators

The workshop was facilitated by PRS Legislative Research, a Delhi based organization. A total of 118 persons representing 91 NGOs participated in the workshops. They were conducted in the cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. The workshop theme provided support to those NGOs who are engaged in advocacy as a key strategy. It equipped them with skills and knowledge on how to advocate at the level of legislatures and Parliament. The workshop was very well received by the participants who expressed the pertinence of such a workshop series.

2009: Opportunities in Challenging Times

Opportunities in Challenging Times was the first workshop series conducted by CSO Partners. The rationale behind selecting this theme was that NGOs need to understand opportunities and challenges in the present market environment to not only maintain their conventional role but also to influence change in a proactive manner. The first workshop of the series took place on May 22, 2009 in Mumbai. The second workshop took place on September 14th and 15th, 2009 in Secunderabad.