A SWOT analysis for an NGO would involve an analysis of the NGO's "Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats". The end objective is simply the creation of a clear picture of the internal and external situation in which the NGO finds itself. SWOT analysis involves an assessment of the NGO from inside (its competitive advantages or past performance), as well as from the outside (current and future needs of the community, competitors' performance, new legislation, changes in the donor base, entry of new NGOs into the field, or new program opportunities).
At the end of a SWOT analysis, Stakeholders will have a list of concerns or issues that require a response from the NGO. These identified concerns can then be translated into long term and short-term goals for the NGO.
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There is a strong community base at which Aarambh functions, most notably, the women of the community. This is an important point since the men of the community are reluctant to get involved and therefore it is the women who have come forward and taken the initiative as they have realized the potential of the programs of the organization and have also seen the success of the programs. |
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The success of the education programmes is now leading parents of the slum children to come forward and strive for their children’s education. |
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The community mobilization has now encouraged people to fight for their rights and also basic amenities like clean water and electricity. The slums in Navi Mumbai do not have adequate supply of drinking water and therefore unless they are informed and motivated they will not know the means through which they can persuade the authorities for the same. Same with the case of electricity, the supply of which is very random in these areas. |
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Media exposure from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai has only strengthened the organization’s resolve. The local media publishes articles on the organization and the work it has done and is currently doing thereby creating awareness among the general public, which is very important seeing from a NGO’s perspective. |
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| Weaknesses |
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There is a lack of qualified staff which otherwise would enable efficient functioning and better implementation of the programmes. |
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The present staff also does not form a highly qualified staff group, which is something that would genuinely help the organization. Some of the present staff is not as qualified as would be desired by the organization and therefore the organization would like a better-qualified staff to handle the work. |
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Being a NGO, the organization has been unable to generate resources on its own. |
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The fund-raising programmes are hard to come by, as more staff is required for the same. |
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The organization as no permanent office space and suffices for the time being in rented premises. |
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Child preferential treatment shows up its ugly face as parents are encouraging only the boys to attend private schools and take tuitions whereas the girls are at the most sent to private schools. This kind of discrimination may lead to unequal impartment of skills to the children. |
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So far, the organization’s success can only be attributed to its mentor Mrs. Murty. However she is currently overburdened with work as not only is she responsible for overall management but she also has to actively take part in day-to-day work for the organization. There seems that for the time being there is no one to take over the reins from her and relieve her of some burdens. |
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| Opportunities |
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Overall impact on the children is in 1200, which is great by any standards. The first opportunity is to meet further challenges successfully. |
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The men of these communities have so far shied away and therefore there is the task of getting them involved as well. |
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The involvement of college students to enhance awareness and also motivate the people in these communities has to be increased. |
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The school at Hanuman Nagar came about through the persistent efforts of the local people in persuading the administration. Therefore in order to get schools set up in other areas similar efforts are required and Aarambh has to play a positive role by motivating and urging the community to press the administration. |
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The capacity of an average municipal school is 600 and they admit more than a thousand thereby increasing the number of student dropouts at a later stage. The challenge for Aarambh lies in providing education to these children. |
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| Threats |
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Major political threats undermine the organization’s capability to effectively reach out to the people. These threats are coming from several regional and state parties such as the NCP. These politicians have taken over certain places in the slums, which use to serve different purposes for the people. Since the land has also been taken over by politicians, there is always the danger of eviction. |
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Another form of threat arises from the other NGOs, which are working in proximity. |
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These NGOs mainly focus on high-profile issues and therefore are able to harness a better supply of funds and resources from the corporate sector. Since these are high-profile NGOs they have more media exposure and greater fanfare. They have therefore have more money and they use them for the wrong reasons such as mentioned below. |
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Issues such as AIDS are getting greater prominence and funds while ironically education, which is Aarambh’s primary goal, serves as the foundation of health awareness including AIDS is being ignored. |
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There are frequent occurrences of poaching of Aarambh staff by other NGOs by the lure of higher salaries and better work. Aarambh is finding it hard to counter these NGOs without strong support. |
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Private schools in these areas are not allowing the municipal schools to function properly. The dropout rates in the municipal schools is extremely and the children not being able to afford private school education are unable to go to school itself. |
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