OPERATIONAL POLICIES OF NGOS THAT ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY

1. Multiple sources of funding for the programmes (activity designated funds) rather than a single source to ensure long-term financial continuity.
2. Establishment of information sharing network of allies working in the same field.
3. Starting the programme in a small way and developing it incrementally (Learning through actions).
4. within the limits of vision and mission, allow flexibility to introduce new ideas and close redundant operations.
5. Expand operations in the related areas after gaining sufficient experience rather than expanding too fast to unrelated areas.
6. Introduce `bottom-up' management by encouraging generation of ideas from the grass-root level (Encourage grass-root workers, consumers and others close to the grass-root end of the channel to express their ideas and make decisions in a consensual manner).
7. Clarify the level of participation expected from the community right from the beginning of the programme, and develop a strategy to achieve it based on the capacity of different community groups. (A. Participation to the extent of `contribution' of material, manpower, or finances to the programme, and no `decision making' power. B. Participation to the extent of establishing an `organisation' to follow the pre-determined strategies, with no `decision making' power over the strategies. C. `Empowerment' of the community to establish its organisation and develop its strategies, entirely by itself.)
8. Introduce strategies to carefully fulfil the short-term needs of the community with regard to rehabilitation, while emphasising the long-term needs simultaneously (in order to avoid rejection of the programme by the community).