CoNE STRATEGIES

STRATEGIES

Network Strengthening

Advocacy

Networking & Linkage

Resource Mobilization

Strategy 1: Network Strengthening

Without a strong PUD led state level network having the capacity to mobilize more community membership and ability to communicate and negotiate with multiple stakeholders, advocacy and policy initiatives will be a futile exercise. Therefore, CoNE will strive towards strengthening the network with primary emphasis on strengthening the human and technical resource capacity both at the secretariat and member CBO level and mobilization of more membership.

1.1 Secretariat strengthening

Effective functioning of CoNE secretariat is crucial for the strengthening of the network as a whole with robust communication mechanism, adequate management systems and procedures in place and the capacity to deal with other external stakeholders.

All Executive Committee Members (ECM) and Office Bearer (OB) of CoNEwill be well versed with the organization’s by-laws, policies, structures and functioning thereby bringing more role clarity on his/her responsibility. With trust and mutual respect among the ECM and OB, coordination mechanism is improved and communication among them is ensured a two way process.

With all the ECM and OB either abstaining from drugs or adhering to Oral Substitution Therapy (OST); commitment, timely implementation of decisions made and maintaining transparency is called for.

Financial system and policy accepted under General Accounting Principle need to be enforced for proper financial management and maintenance of records. Registration of the organization under 12-A and 80G, Income Tax Act of India; and under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Ministry of Home, Govt. of India need to be looked into in the next 5 years period.

1.2 Human Resource Development

Highly skilled human resources among the leaders would play a critical role in the effective functioning of the secretariat and the network as a whole. Leaders would need to ensure acceptability by member PUD, maintain organizational system and procedures in a transparent manner, reporting back to members and other concerns, representing the organization in various state/national/international forum, advocate on behalf of the PUD community, ensure growth and sustainability of the organization, and communicate with other external stakeholders. 

As such the organization after conducting a skill set mapping from among its OB and ECM, and capacity building need assessment, will conduct capacity building programs for its leadership focusing primarily on Leadership, Organizational Development and System Maintenance, Documentation and Report Writing, Proposal Writing, Advocacy, and Livelihood improvement options. Field exposure to other well established organizations is also be looked into. The capacity building process would also be extended to member CBOs by providing technical support as and when necessary.

1.3 Membership mobilization

Involvement of more and more number of members at all level will help in making the network a vibrant and strong organization. Membership thus will continue to be the primary pillar of the organization. Therefore CoNE will stress on mobilizing more membership by making Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials and information leaflets in local dialects, reaching out to PUD peers in hotspots, and visiting homes and interacting with PUD and their family members.

CoNE would also organize cluster/group meetings at the community level in order to inform the community about the organization. Mass awareness programs would also be taken up.

CoNE would also provide or facilitate legal support to the PUD community as and when needed.

Strategy 2: Advocacy

Through meaning involvement and ensuring that the voice of the PUD community is heard by all concerned in all matters, policy, programs, and decision making processes that affect their lives, CoNE would advocate on the below mentioned issues. Separate advocacy strategy would be developed to address these issues which will include identifying advocacy approaches, tools, specific work plan, and key strategic advocacy partners.

2.1 Scaling up of evidence based quality harm reduction services across the state with inclusion of Over Dose (OD) management.

2.2 End of punitive laws and violation of human rights against the PUD community.

2.3 Access to voluntary, quality, affordable treatment care and support services for blood borne infections, with particular focus to testing and treatment of hepatitis C.

2.4 Adequate coverage and access to 2nd line HIV treatment across the state and installation of a Viral Load Count (PCR) machine in the state.

2.5 Development of a scientific and evidence based State Drug Policy.

Strategy 3: Networking and Linkage

Networking and linkage with other like-minded organization and agencies plays an important role in trying to achieve our goal and objectives. CoNE will develop partnership with organizations and agencies which believe in evidence based approaches and upholding the fundamental human rights of the PUD community.

CoNE will also work towards increased participation of PUD in all relevant forums in order to ensure meaningful involvement of PUD in matters and decision making processes that affect their lives.

The below table indicates some of the key local, national and international stakeholders which CoNE would be making an effort to build networking partnership.

Local National International
Human Rights Groups

Civil Society Organization

Lawyers Forum

Church/ Religious leaders

Local Clubs

Political Parties

Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS)

Health and Social Welfare Department, Government of  Manipur

Manipur Legislature Forum on AIDS (MLFA)

Manipur University

NGOs/CBOs/Networks

Village Authorities

Media

Indian Medical Association (IMA)

 National AIDS Control Organization(NACO)

National AIDS Control Organization- North East Regional Office (NACO- NERO)

National Human Right Commission (NHRC)

United Nation Bodies

World Health Organization (WHO)

North East India Harm Reduction Network (NEIHRN)

Indian Drug User Forum (IDUF)

Lawyers Collective

Indian Harm Reduction Network (IHRN)

Networks of marginalized communities

Ministry of Health, Government of India

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Government of India 		International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD)

Asian Network of People Who Use Drugs (ANPUD)

World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA)

United Nation Bodies

World Health Organization (WHO)

Asian Network of Positive People (APN+)

Treat Asia

Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF)

Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)

Treatment Action Group (TAG)

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)

Youth Rise

Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN)

Strategy 4: Resource Mobilization

In order to carry forward the strategies, CoNE would work on resource mobilization from potential donors through the form of project proposal submission. Local resource mobilization initiatives would also be taken up.

Potential Donors Local Resource Mobilization
Avahan supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)

Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS)

Open Society Foundation (OSF)

Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)

American Jewish Foundation (AJF)

Robert Carr Network Funding

Medicine San Frontier (MSF)

Clinton AIDS Foundation

Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur

United Nation Bodies (UNAIDS, UNODC, UNDP, etc.)

ACTION AID 		CBOs annual membership fees

Fund drive from local MLAs

Fund drive by charity/ housie/lottery

Income generation project

Fund drive through Church Authority